Summit Highlights

Opening Plenary: Junlei Li, Ph.D.

Our inspiring opening plenary by Junlei Li, Ph.D., the Saul Zaentz Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Education at Harvard Graduate School of Education, challenged us to think about simple interactions as the core of our relationships. Key points from his talk:

• When interactions 'work,' we are building connections and relationships.
• Beyond diversity and inclusion, we need a sense of belonging.
• Move beyond the "word gap" and 30 million word talk. Look for quality, not quantity of language.
• Even brief high quality and loving interactions are meaningful and have high impact.

He discussed the idea of being a Helper or a Helper of Helpers, in line with Mr. Rogers' famous quote, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping."

He noted that simple interactions and relationships are the "active ingredient" of how we inspire and build resiliency in children and families. 

Honoring simple interactions and small moments, Professor Li offered us sage advice when moving our work forward. Consider the question he asked, "How does this program/policy/practice encourage, enrich, and empower human interactions around children?"

This is a very important guiding question as we work toward building resiliency and our literacy movement in the city of Springfield. 

Breakout Sessions

Out Of School Time (OOST)
This panel discussion focused on pooling community resources to create inter-program relationships. Next steps may include: 

• Creating a citywide resource guide for OOST programs: staff, ideas, resources, training
• Collaborating with new iteration of OOST work group under Reading Success
• Engage community: colleges, businesses, government, neighborhood councils, families

Co-moderators were: Dawn DiStefano, Executive Vice President @ Square One; and Channing Calcasola, Afterschool Program Coordinator @ City of Springfield Parks and Recreation

Panelists included: Wes Jackson, Executive Director @ South End Community Center; Teresa Liberti, Executive Director @ The Gray House; Lynne Cimino, Outreach Coordinator Talk/Read/Succeed @ Springfield Housing Authority; Jenny Powers, Family Engagement Coordinator @ Springfield Museums

School Readiness:
Portrait of a Graduate
This interactive workshop engaged community members in the work of Springfield Public Schools.

• Participants provided feedback and insights to Springfield Public Schools as they plan for the new strategic plan.
• Participants shared their vision and aspirations for graduates and for students along the trajectory for learning.

This session was led by Springfield Public School staff: Stefania Raschilla, Chief Instructional Officer; Kate Fenton, Education Consultant; Laura Mendes, Director of Literacy, Elementary and Early Childhood Education; Kate Asher, Supervisor of Literacy, Elementary and Early Childhood Education.

Policy and Advocacy
This session focused on getting to know the people in political positions that can help make change, and some current policies on the table.

• Learn the landscape of state and local leaders representing Springfield.
• Discuss which policies may have the most impact on early education and access. 

Literacy Champions

Literacy Champions were honored for their dedication to Reading Success by 4th Grade's goals of increasing early literacy in Springfield.
Chrissy Howard, along with City Councilors Jesse Lederman and Tim Allen, both involved in this work, presented the awards with official city citations.

Sally Fuller, former RS4G manager, for her tireless efforts to engage Springfield and our community partners and help us embrace early literacy as an integral issue to the health and wellness of our city.

Robert Bolduc, owner of Pride Stores, for his steadfast leadership in the business community, demonstrating with his actions how important literacy is to our families and community.

Tyeshia Weir and Melissa Blissett, Family Literacy Advocates for RS4G, for leading the way as powerful advocates and community leaders for families, promoting reading and literacy throughout the city, in our neighborhoods, and in our homes.

Keynote

Commissioner of Early Childhood and Care Samantha Aigner-Treworgy introduced herself in her new role - she has recently taken this post in August. Her talk focused on these key points:

• Western Massachusetts is important.
• Decisions that we make should be based on accurate data.
• We need to work to minimize institutional barriers to progress.
• EEC is looking to hear from more stakeholders on ways to increase access to early education for families.

She rounded out the day with welcoming conversation on how we can coalesce around early education goals, find barriers to access, and break them down together in order to serve more families, better.

Special Thanks to the Summit Planning Committee:

Nicole Blais, Director of Community Engagement @ Holyoke Chicopee Springfield Head Start
Melissa Blissett, RS4G Family Literacy Advocate & Assistant Vice President of Family Services @ Square One
Ann Burke, Vice President @ Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts
Dawn DiStefano, Executive Vice President @ Square One
Molly Goren-Watts, Principal Planner @ Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
Rosemary Hernandez, Regional Director @  Clarendon Early Education
Laura Mendes, Director of Literacy, Elementary and Early Childhood @ Springfield Public Schools
Michelle Morash, Executive Director @ Public Forum
Vanessa Pabon Hernandez, Executive Producer, Presencia @ WGBY/NEPM
Jenny Powers, Family Education Coordinator @ Springfield Museums
Paul Robbins, President @ Paul Robbins Associates
Jamina Scippio McFadden, Interim Director @ UMass Center at Springfield
Mary Walachy, Executive Director @ The Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation
Tyeshia Wier, RS4G Family Literacy Advocate & School Adjustment Counselor @ Springfield Public Schools