17 of Valley’s principals attend conference

Staff report

Orlando, fla.

This summer, 17 elementary-school principals from Mahoning and Trumbull counties attended the third National Principals Conference in Orlando conducted by the CAYL Institute.

The institute is based in Cambridge, Mass.

These principals and administrators, known as Wean Principal Scholars, are part of a local multiyear initiative to better the purposes of Early Childhood Education.

At the conference, the scholars heard from national leaders and had an opportunity to visit elementary schools in the Orlando area.

Expert speakers included David Lawrence Jr., Ellen Galinsky and Maurice Sykes, among other skilled facilitators.

The conference for early-childhood leaders was necessary to better meet the needs of the children and families, to collaborate more effectively with community-based organizations, and to use diversity as strength in order to prepare every child for success.

A key strategy is building stronger partnerships with preschool programs and families, as well as adapting schools to meet the unique needs of children from pre-K to third grade.

“Strengthening Communities through Developmentally Appropriate Practices for Young Learners” is a result of CAYL’s intensive work with principals throughout the U.S., and the demand from communities for increased training of early-childhood professionals.

“Research shows how vital the principal leadership is in having an effective school for teachers and children,” said Valora Washington, president of the CAYL Institute.

“We are bringing both veteran and novice principals together to learn from each other and to plan for the coming school year,” Washington said.