2009 Highlights

Click here to read about this year's successful State House Open House/Step Up for Kids Rally.

Click here to read about this year's successful Early Childhood Day at the Legislature.

Click here to read this year's legislative wrap up.

2008 Highlights

Pie and Policy at the State House, September 13, 2008

"I have always wanted to go into the State House. My kids have always asked me, "What is that golden dome?" This event gave us the perfect opportunity." - Inga, mother to Matise and Dominec (ages 6), from Shelburne

"I believe that all kids should be happy, because when kids are happy, they do better in school. I think we should pass this bill because ice cream makes kids happy." - Madelyn Koff (age 8) from Quechee, gives witness testimony on the mock bill, "An Act Requiring All Vermont Kids to Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast."

"I attended with a friend and her toddler - he loved the barn animals and wooden tractors…and sitting in the representative seats…all of them! -Tracy Ferrell from Montpelier

85 parents and children from all corners of the state - including Brattleboro, Newport, St Albans and Middlebury - gathered at the State House on September 13th for an Open House co-hosted by the Kids Are Priority One Coalition and Building Bright Futures to learn how our government works to have fun under Montpelier's golden dome.

Audience participation and the creativity and knowledge of guest facilitators made the day a success. Participants traipsed through the building (using a "time machine") moving a piece of legislation from an idea to law, learning about the process from Representative Floyd Nease, Legislative Counsel Brian Leven and First Assistant Clerk to the House Bill MaGill.

Children added "ingredients" to a budget "pie" under the direction of Deputy Commissioner of Finance Sue Zeller. Then, as waiters, they served up slices to constituents only to learn that there is not enough "pie" to meet the needs of Vermont's families. Ending on a happy note, everyone enjoyed a slice of the real thing donated by Vermont Mystic Pie Company.

Over a pile of Legos, Sunday Editor of the Times Argus Anne Galloway described ways the media can be a vehicle for sharing experiences and elevating issues. And, down the hall, filmmaker Jill Sudhoff-Geurin was behind the camera, taping parents' stories.

And for many, that was not enough excitement! During the afternoon tour of the building with Florence as their guide, kids were rewarded with a chance to sit at the Governor's desk in the Ceremonial Office. Now, don't tell me that they didn't bring that to show and tell!

Thanks to all who participated in the day!

Sincerely, The planning committee (Kelly Ault, Cynthia Greene, Cynthia Tarail, Michele Mahaney, Heather Mattison, Moriah Oldham, Robin Stromgren, Andrea Stander, Melissa Riegel-Garrett)

The Virtual Strike Wrap Up - October 14th - October 18th, 2008

For one week this past fall, 27,000 colorful buttons were worn on the lapels of moms, dads, employers and child care providers as they participated in a statewide Virtual Strike -- a statewide act of support for quality child care and its importance to Vermont's economy.

The Kids Are Priority One Coalition, Building Bright Futures Councils and early care and education programs organized the "what if" strike - during which early care and education programs remained open, but parents wore buttons to work that read: "This employee made possible by child care" and advocates read: "Support Vermont's Economy, Support Quality Child Care."

An Eventful Week

As part of the Virtual Strike, Building Bright Futures Councils in Lamoille, Caledonia and Southern Essex, Windsor and North Windham, Rutland and Essex held candidate forums to provide opportunities to meet legislative candidates and incumbents running for public office and learn where they stand on early childhood issues.

In East Lebanon, NH, an evening presentation on Brain Development and the Importance of Nurturing Environments proved engaging and in Burlington, a celebration featured music by early educators and presentations by legislators, providers, parents, and business leaders. Below is an excerpt from a speech by Anna Behm Masozera (below with family).

"When we were expecting Marie Claire, we were about to enter a world that we had no prior knowledge of- diapering systems, parenting techniques, and child care. Child care is now the central part of our lives. It provides Marie Claire with an environment that fuels her creativity and sense of self and her social skills. It provides me and my husband with the ability to physically make it work, jobs that we need to survive while both of us are also continuing our education. Not only getting us physically there, it allows us to focus on what we are paid to do, without having to worry about the well-being of our daughter, making us productive employees.

... Now it is clear to us the role it plays in the underlying system of our economy. Without childcare, and without quality childcare, my husband and I wouldn't be at work, we wouldn't be contributing to Vermont's economy, and we wouldn't be bettering ourselves and our family. And without quality child care, our daughter wouldn't be poised to grow into the amazing and well-rounded person we hope her to become."

Quotes

"When we put children and working parents first, marshaling the energy and good will of a community easily follows." - Ann Dillenbeck, Building Bright Futures Regional Director at Chittenden County’s Virtual Strike Celebration

"I was at the Brattleboro Farmers Market in the parking lot of the Co-op and there was a young woman wearing her 'virtual' button! I thanked her for participating and she said many had commented on it that day. Good work!!!" - Lynda Starorypinski, Human Resources Manager at Cersosimo Lumber Co., Inc. from Brattleboro

My child care provider noticed the button and thanked me for the recognition...she runs a daycare out of her home 5 days a week and isn't able to be "out and about" with this message. - Lilly Talbert from Montpelier

"I walked into my daycare and everyone was wearing buttons - even the kids!" -Kim Emery from West Burke

"I walked into my daycare and everyone was wearing buttons - even the kids!" -mother from West Burke??"I thinks it's a great campaign to spread the good word about all the folks who would not be at work if it weren't for their quality child care provider. Look around and imagine the workplace without all the button-wear[ers]! - Cassie Isabelle from Barre

The children at West Bee Nursery School in Brattleboro asked Lead Teacher Moriah Oldham about her "Support Vermont's economy, Support quality child care" button to which she replied: "It helps people to see how important school is." The children followed with their answers to: "Why School is IMPORTANT to ME!"