This Wellness Wednesday, American Heart Association's Miss Marjorie welcomes you to stay active in celebration of National Move More Month! #NationalMoveMoreMonth #SCPSWellnessWednesday

Early Childhood Education:  Building Blocks to a Future Career

Are you a high school student interested in a future career working with young children?  Stafford County Public Schools (SCPS) has the perfect program for you to build those skills!

Open to high school students starting in the sophomore year, the Early Childhood Education and Services program introduces students to careers in childcare and early childhood education. Though held at North Stafford High School and Brooke Point High School, students at any SCPS high school may enroll in the program.

The Early Childhood Education and Services pathway is a two year program designed to prepare high school upperclassmen for career opportunities in the field of childcare and early childhood education. The high school students focus on providing a safe, nurturing and healthy learning environment; promoting physical, intellectual, social, and emotional development. Students practice and encourage positive and productive relationships through communication with the classroom teacher, the children, and the families.  Maintaining a commitment to safety protocols, regular attendance, and professionalism are essential in this program. While students prepare for employment or continued education in the field of childcare and early childhood education, the curriculum supports the National Child Development Associate (CDA) competencies and state validated education competencies.

By completing the Early Childhood Education and Services pathway, students may earn CTECS Workplace Readiness certification and or a NOCTI Early Childhood industry credentials. Labs are fully equipped with rotation stations, developmentally appropriate books, toys, and a regularly inspected playground. Students also participate in practical application of principles and concepts with young children in an on-site childcare lab.

In addition to the fundamental curriculum components,  the early childhood students work to develop a professional portfolio and devise a business plan for a childcare facility or childcare program.  

Upon completion of the early childhood program students will have work-based learning experience in the field, a portfolio, and an industry credential, making for a great start in this career pathway. Students may continue developing their knowledge through a secondary education program, college, or university. The opportunity to go to work right after high school as a childcare teacher intern or assistant is an option. 

If you would like to be a part of the building blocks to lifelong learning, contact your school counselor for more information.

Throughout history, the arts have been used to communicate and to convey emotions, experiences, and opinions. This Wellness Wednesday, SCPS encourages you to practice your art! #SCPSWellnessWednedsday

Stafford County Public Schools has two female coaches who have led the predominantly male football teams at North Stafford (NSHS) and Brooke Point (BPHS) High Schools in the 2020-2021 season. 

NSHS’s Desa Stone is the assistant JV football coach for special teams and she assists the varsity team on Friday nights. While she previously served on the Brooke Point football team building a NCAA eligibility website, this is her first season on the field. 

“The whole coaching staff at both NSHS and BPHS has been very welcoming,” Stone said. “They are giving me tons of opportunities and taking me under their wings. I’m really proud to be a part of this staff.”

Stone is a Stafford High School alumni who has always loved football, noting that there was not an opportunity for girls to play the sport when she was growing up. Now, she has the opportunity to change that. The NSHS football team has two female members this season. 

“I am so proud to coach a generation of players and show girls especially that you do not have to be pigeonholed into a particular sport,” said Stone. 

On BPHS staff, Lindsay Sollers is in her first year coaching football at BPHS, responsible for the wide receivers. However, she is no stranger to actively participating in the sport. Sollers has experience in the semi-professional football world. She played 8 years of women's tackle football with the D.C. Divas and has since retired.

“[It] was important for me to earn the trust and respect of the coaches and players as a female coach,” Sollers said. “I want to show them that we belong in this male dominated sport.” 

To learn more about SCPS Athletics on our website.

SCPS continues to be committed to the social-emotional and physical health of all students. Any student in need of social-emotional support may email their school’s Counselor, Social Worker, Psychologist, or Nurse for virtual resources and to ask questions. Visit https://tinyurl.com/n2pte3em to learn more. #SCPSWellnessWednesday