In the news:

• A New Design Tool
• Center Spotlight: Region 6
• Board Business: Catching the Olympic Spirit

Board Networking ​Call 

When:September 13, 2016

Time: 1:00 pm EST.

Topic: "Recruiting New Board Members". 

CONGRATULATIONS to the following center on their recent NAEYC re-accreditation:

• Georgetown Hill at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in Rockville, MD

In Case of Emergency (ICE) – Is your family prepared to reunite?

It can be difficult to reach loved ones when disaster strikes. Power goes out, cell towers go down and stress levels go up. Save the Children can help you stay connected by making ICE Contact Cards for your children. It’s easy and free.

To make and download your own card, click here. ICE (in case of emergency) cards 

Enter your child’s emergency contacts and their medical information. Personalize the ICE card with a photo and print them at home.

Quote of the Month:

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up".

- Pablo Picasso

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A New Design Tool

The design, operation, maintenance and environmental impact of Child Care Centers are key aspects of federal facilities. A child may spend up to 12,500 hours in a child care center in their lifetime, making the environmental health, design, and functionality of the space essential factors to consider.

The Sustainable Facilities Tool, an interactive website created by the GSA Office of Federal High-Performance Green Buildings, is a resource specifically dedicated to sustainable design, function, and materials.  The SFTool Child Care Centers module  features research and guidance from the field of practice specific to early education.

Please feel free to share SFTool with your partners to broaden the conversation on effective ways to improve the health and design of child care centers. The SFTool team hosts and participates in webinars regularly to highlight the full functions of SFTool modules. 

Earn credit towards the continuing education requirements for the US Green Building Council’s (USGBC) credentials including the LEED AP by playing the SFTool game at https://sftool.gov/practice/ceu.

Center Spotlight: Region 6

                Celebrating 25 Years of Service

Rainbow Castle Child Care Center recently celebrated 25 years of operation in the Robert A. Young Building in Saint Louis, MO.  

Erin and Carolee McMahon, owners and operators of this program, started managing the federal center in the Ray Building in 1991 and have been taking care of our federal families for 25 years now. At one time, the McMahon’s managed three federal centers in the St. Louis area.  Tom Yochim and Patty Pelikan of the St. Louis East Property Management Office lead the GSA team supporting daily building operations, including a recent renovation, which increased classroom space within the existing center footprint . 

Board Business: Catching the Olympic Spirit

Hope you all have enjoyed watching the Olympic Games this year.  We know our child care providers and their staff enjoyed watching, because we noticed that several of them are using this special event as a learning opportunity for the children in their care.

We are suggesting Child Care Board of Directors  consider using the Olympics as an opportunity to conduct some fun, healthy, and active fund-raising initiatives. Not only will this help you reach your fundraising goals, but it will also help your center meet the Let’s Move! goals of keeping the children active and healthy.

Healthy and Active Fundraising Ideas To Get You Started:

• Walk-a-Thon
• Fun Run
• Fruit & Vegetable Olympics
• Swimming for Smoothies
• Ducks and Pins Bowling Tournament
• Trike-a-Thon
• Obstacle Course Derby
• Hula Hoop Contest
• Gymnastic Relays

The next Board Networking Conference Call is schedule for Tuesday, September 13th at 1:00 pm EST. The topic will be “Recruiting New Board Members”. Please mark your calendars and be prepared to share your ideas and best practices. For more information on the Board Networking Conference Call please contact Sandra Axelrod at (202) 205-7406) or Sandra.Axelrod@gsa.gov.