Phyllis Fratzke Early Childhood Learning Lab (ECLL)earns National NAEYC Accreditation

Program recognized among the top in the nation by earning accreditation

NAEYC Accreditation is a rigorous and transformative quality-improvement system that uses a set of 10 research-based standards to collaborate with early education programs to recognize and drive quality-improvement in high-quality early learning environments.  We are proud to share that despite a global pandemic, the ECLL is able to consistently provide a high-quality learning experience for young children.  Our program also allows future teachers to interact with highly qualified mentors while observing and participating in the delivery of effective curriculum for young children.

To earn NAEYC Accreditation, the ECLL went through an extensive self-study and quality-improvement process, followed by an on-site visit by NAEYC Assessors to verify and ensure that the program met each of the ten program standards, and hundreds of corresponding individual criteria. NAEYC-accredited programs are always prepared for unannounced quality-assurance visits during their accreditation term, which lasts for five years.

In the 30 years since NAEYC Accreditation was established, it has become a widely recognized sign of high-quality early childhood education. More than 7,000 programs are currently accredited by NAEYC—less than 10 percent of all child care centers, preschools, and kindergartens nationally achieve this recognition. 

“NAEYC-Accredited programs bring our definitions of excellence for early childhood education to life each day,” said Kristen Johnson, senior director of Early Learning Program Accreditation at NAEYC. “Earning NAEYC Accreditation makes the ECLL an exemplar of good practice for families and the entire community.”

For more information about NAEYC Accreditation, visit the NAEYC website.

March 17 math seminar

After a hiatus of thirteen months, the Grand Rapids Community College Mathematics Department is pleased to announce that it will host its next Mathematics Seminar on Wednesday, March 17, 3-4 PM in 108 Cook.

Our speaker is Alejandro Saldivar, GRCC Math Faculty. For the title and abstract of his talk, please see below.

Circumstances being what they are, there are two attendance options for this seminar. Ample space in a sanitized classroom (108 Cook) will be available for those who prefer to attend in person. If you’d rather attend remotely, Alejandro’s talk will be streamed live on YouTube; visit The Pappus-Pascal Theorem: Math Seminar with Alejandro Saldivar.
This promises to be an interesting talk accessible to a wide audience. As is always the case with our Math Seminars, everyone is welcome to attend.

The Pappus-Pascal Theorem

Abstract: The Pappus (of Alexandria) Theorem is a 1700 or so year old theorem that can be an important tool of surveying and which makes no use of measuring distances or angles. Projective Geometry came along about 600 years ago. Then Blaise Pascal generalized Pappus’ Theorem about 400 years ago with the use of Projective Geometry. We will review some concepts of Euclidean Geometry, introduce Projective Geometry, and provide a projective proof of the Pappus Theorem. We will actually survey points in the classroom using the theorem and without measuring distances or angles. Everybody is welcome to attend. We assume little mathematical background.

Workplace Excellence in a new era

Attention — Kindness isn’t cancelled!

It has been one year since the world was plunged head-first into a global pandemic. Just when it feels like we have our new routines down to a science, the rules change and we are expected to start all over again. This can be extremely stressful, especially as we try to balance our personal and professional lives in this shifting world.

Without a doubt, these times call for a new definition of workplace excellence – where grace and understanding abound, where patience is practiced, and where kindness reigns supreme.

As we understand more about what a healthy work environment looks like, both in person and virtual, we can ask the following questions:

How do we successfully interact in a virtual world?
What does the reality of working from home really mean?
How do we maintain our relationships? and cultivate new ones?
What does time management look like now?
How do I lead and supervise effectively when my team is not in the office?

A few of the topics we will explore include Interpersonal Communication, Methods of Conflict Resolution, Personality Differences in a Pandemic, Expectations for Communication in a Virtual World and a discussion on why Attitude Matters– Engaging others with Empathy.

Join us as we explore and discuss the question, “What is excellence then vs. excellence now?” in the multi-faceted session that is Workplace Excellence.

Facilitated by Zoe Carmichael.

Join us on March 24 — Register ONLINE

GRCC planning fall semester with more on-campus classes, additional supports to reflect lessons learned during pandemic

Grand Rapids Community College is preparing for a fall 2021 semester with more in-person classes and student services, a continued focus on safety — and a reflection of lessons learned for increased opportunities to serve all students and West Michigan.

“Our community is emerging from the pandemic, and the community’s college will play a key role in helping people continue their education and West Michigan getting back to work,” GRCC President Bill Pink said.

“I hesitate to say we’ll be back to normal, because this virus and the racial and social issues we’ve faced as a nation highlighted the inequities in the previous normal. We’re coming back with a new normal, with a greater on-campus presence but also more classes and support services offered in ways that make them more accessible to more students. We will be a better institution because of what we have learned from navigating this pandemic.”

About 80 percent of GRCC classes were partly or entirely offered virtually during the 2020-2021 academic year. A significant number of fall 2021 classes will be on campus or through a hybrid format, conducted in a way that provides safety for students and employees.

Read more

Final call for priority consideration of scholarship funds

Please remind students that in order to be considered for the first round of scholarship awards for the 21-22 academic year, they must submit their applications by Midnight of March 15th. 

While applications are accepted after the priority deadline, for best consideration students should submit as soon as possible!

The quick link to log in is https://grcc.academicworks.com/users/sign_in and it takes only a short time to complete.

GRCC planning fall semester with more on-campus classes, additional supports to reflect lessons learned during pandemic