Early Bird Learning Adventures: A Michigan model in NC

Tri-Share advice from Michigan and 'Bright Futures' in Beaufort County

Early Bird readers, hello again. Newcomers, welcome! If you were forwarded this email, you can sign up here to receive it every two weeks, and join our conversation on issues facing North Carolina’s young children and those who support them. If you’re already a subscriber, please help us reach more people by sharing this with your friends and co-workers interested in early childhood education.

Liz and I are feeling a little bit psychic these days. As she wrote in the last issue of Early Bird, we’re traveling around the country during the next few months to learn from states who are leading the way in early childhood policy and investment. Our first trip was to Michigan, where we learned how the MI Tri-Share model fits into the larger child care context of the state.

While we were there, the General Assembly finally dropped the budget, and guess what? The Tri-Share pilot from the NC House’s budget made it in!  It’s like we knew. ;)

You can read advice from Michigan and our takeaways in Liz’s piece. And continue following along as we travel by joining our new Early Bird Facebook group.

As soon as Liz and I returned to North Carolina, I hopped in my car and headed to Beaufort County — my home away from home — to learn more about a program I heard of last month.

I spent the first day of school this year visiting seven schools alongside the delightful Kristen Riddle and members of the district’s administrative team (including Superintendent Dr. Matthew Cheeseman, who has my favorite social media handle on the whole internet).

At school after school, staff members kept popping out of the woodwork to tell the team that they got some donation from the community that made their day. An athletics director got a grill for an upcoming cookout, a principal got her hallways painted, a teacher got supplies for a student project.

I said to Kristen, “It seems like the community here really supports the schools.”

“Do you know about Bright Futures?” she asked.

Well I didn’t then, but I sure do now!

Bright Futures Beaufort County is a collaboration between the Washington-Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce and Beaufort County Schools that aims to meet the basic needs of every student.

As Chamber executive director Catherine Glover explained, “I know when I walk into those schools, from pre-K up, those students are going to be hopefully working at [a local business] one day. […] But if their basic needs are not met, how do we expect a student to be a productive citizen and give back to the community and be employable?” 

Read all about Bright Futures, and consider sharing with your local Chamber of Commerce.

Finally, a very special shout-out to Ashley Padgett and Laurel Paramore, two BCS superstars who are entering their retirement eras this week. Thank you both for everything you’ve done to support students, their families, and your community.

Until next time,