CFNC Earns High Marks in New Star Rating System

The Child & Family Network Centers (CFNC) is among the first child care centers and preschool programs in the Commonwealth to receive a star rating as part of the Virginia Star Quality Initiative, a quality rating and improvement system for early learning programs. By participating in the initiative, early learning programs are awarded one of five star levels of increasing quality. CFNC received stellar marks: three four-star ratings and two three-star ratings for the five Alexandria sites that participated in 2010. This rating system will give families an easy-to-use tool when researching options for their children's earliest learning experiences.

"CFNC was excited to participate and we are thrilled by our star-rating," said Sharon Shackelford, Director of Education at CFNC. "Our rating is further evidence of the high quality of our preschool and we are proud that for more than 26 years we have been able to offer our program at no cost to families in need."

For further details on this honor, please read the full press release .

For more information and a list of star rated early learning programs, please visit the Smart Beginnings website.

Thank you for your support which helps us maintain our high-quality, star rated programs!

October's Featured Volunteer: Jade Lau

Meet Jade! Jade Lau is October's featured volunteer for the kindness, patience and dedication that she brings to CFNC, its students and teachers. Jade first learned about CFNC from a volunteer posting she saw online and began volunteering as a classroom assistant at one of CFNC's Cora Kelly classrooms in the fall of 2009. From day one it was clear that Jade is passionate about the work done at CFNC and truly enjoys being with the children, interacting and helping them grow and develop. And, the children and teachers at Cora Kelly are delighted to have her on-board.

Originally from Hong Kong, Jade lived in Arizona and Georgia before moving to Alexandria with her husband two years ago. When she's not volunteering at CFNC, Jade enjoys biking with her husband in Alexandria and on the many bike trails throughout Northern Virginia. She also enjoys cooking and baking.

We are very lucky to have Jade volunteering at CFNC, and are hopeful that she will be with us for many years to come.

If you or anyone you know is interested in volunteering at CFNC, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Kristin Thompson at kthompson@cfnc-online.org, or call 703-836-0214 ext 234.

Everyone was a WINNER at Acumen Solutions Race for a Cause™!

As you know, CFNC was very pleased to have been selected as one of 12 nonprofit organizations to partner with Acumen Solutions for the 2nd Annual Race for a Cause™ 8K and 1 Mile Fun Run. The event took place on Sunday, October 17 in Arlington, VA and was a great success.

Each of the 12 organizations selected was charged with recruiting 100 participants to register for the race and select their organization as the participant's charity of choice. The CFNC community rallied their friends and family and, as a result, 114 people signed up in support of CFNC!

CFNC staff and Board Members enjoyed participating as runners and spectators. Social Worker Glymaris Lugo (pictured on left) oversaw a CFNC table in the start/finish area and chatted with participants about CFNC's work.
THANK YOU, CFNC Community, for supporting our cause by registering. A BIG THANKS to the staff at Acumen Solutions for coordinating the race and helping so many families in need throughout the greater Washington DC area. CFNC hopes to be a part of this event for many years to come.
Acumen Solutions' previous 10K road races and last year's Acumen Solutions Race for a Cause™ 8K have contributed over $125,000 to benefit local nonprofits. The company has contributed over $1 million dollars to charitable causes since inception. To find out more about the race, the results and the participating organizations please visit www.acumensolutions.com/theraceforacause

Second Graders from St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School Visit CFNC

On October 19 and 20, CFNC students were visited by second graders from St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School--an annual tradition that never fails to inspire smiles, friendship and play. This year, the second graders engaged the preschoolers by collaborating on art projects at the easels, dressing up as firemen and firewomen, experimenting at the water table and sharing time in the reading nook.

It was evident from the laughter and constant activity in the classroom that the visit was enjoyed by all. Dress-up and number games transported second graders back in time to their preschool days; while they also acted as teachers by imparting their 7-year old wisdom on CFNC students. Meanwhile, CFNC students found role models and mentors and gained valuable social and interactive skills critical to their development.

CFNC looks forward to welcoming St. Stephen's & St. Agnes back again soon for more learning, laughter, partnership and fun.

Run for CFNC during Acumen Solutions Race for a Cause 8K™

We need your help! CFNC has also been selected as one of 12 charity partners for the second Acumen Solutions Race for a Cause™ 8K and 1-mile run, to take place Sunday, October 17 in Arlington, VA.

CFNC is excited to take part-BUT, in order for CFNC to be eligible to receive proceeds from the race we must recruit a minimum of 100 people to register and select CFNC on the registration form. Please consider signing-up! We're hoping you'll act fast as online registration closes at 12:00pm on October 15.

Please keep in mind that registration for both the 1-mile fun run (a fee of as little as $15) and 8K race will be credited towards CFNC's 100-person minimum. Acumen Solutions' previous 10K road races and last year's Acumen Solutions Race for a Cause™ 8K have contributed over $125,000 to benefit local nonprofits and the company has contributed over $1 million dollars to charitable causes since its inception. This is the first time that CFNC will benefit and we appreciate your help to make it happen. Spread the word!

Check out the link below for a PSA promoting the race and encouraging participants to select CFNC upon registration.

Race for a Cause PSA

Featured Volunteer

CFNC would like to take an opportunity to send a special thank you to a most dedicated volunteer, Mr. Louis Willis.

This summer Louis helped us prepare for the school year by sprucing up the playground at our Birchmere location. This project was arduous and labor intensive, involving clearing out the children's playground of overgrown weeds, vines, tree branches and limbs that had taken over the surrounding fence, preventing a clear view into the playground. Louis is a "jack of all trades," and no matter what the task may be, he completes it with a smile and with an eagerness to help.

We would be remiss if we did not mention that Louis is married to Ms. Arnita Willis, Lead Teacher at Charles Houston. This pair devotes a lot of time and energy to supporting CFNC and for that we are most grateful. Thank you Willis Family!

Everybody wins at the Inaugural Woodrow Wilson Bridge 1/2 Marathon

The Inaugural Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon took place on Sunday, September 19--a beautiful day for a race.

CFNC was selected as one of 6 charity partners of the race and CFNC staff had a wonderful time participating in the many activities leading up to and day-of the event. In fact, CFNC staff dedicated a total of nearly 60 volunteer hours to assembling and distributing race packets, handing out water on the course and promoting the event and CFNC's participation.

The race sold-out at 4,000 runners, among them CFNC staff members Anna Berke, Manager of Development, and Eugenie Ballering, ESL Teacher, as well as Race Ambassador and local celebrity Doreen Gentzler, and more than 25 world-class international elite athletes. Without a doubt, runners enjoyed the perfect weather and the scenic course, which began at Mount Vernon, continued along the George Washington Parkway and then crossed the majestic Woodrow Wilson Bridge into National Harbor.

CFNC was thrilled to be involved in this most successful event and looks forward to next year! According to a recent Washington Post article , since 2003 the half-marathon has been the fastest growing road race distance in the United States. Perhaps you'll consider joining us in 2011? For more information, visit the race's website.

We're Back to School

On Tuesday, September 7, CFNC's six Northern Virginia locations opened their doors to the class of 2011. We are thrilled to start another school year--CFNC's 27th!

We hope you'll have an opportunity this Fall to stop by one of our six locations to welcome our students to preschool. No doubt you'll find a very active bunch painting, drawing, cutting, gluing, even constructing a fire engine (see pics below) and of course LEARNING every step of the way.

As we launch into the new school year there are so many opportunities to support our cause. Read on to learn how some folks already have; as well as how you can help CFNC by registering for the Acumen Solutions Race for a Cause 8K™. Be sure to checkout our website for information on our wish list and for other upcoming opportunities. You'll be making an impact not only on our students and families, but on your community. Remember that: "High-quality early childhood education helps prepare young children to succeed in school and become better citizens; they earn more, pay more taxes, and commit fewer crimes. Every dollar invested in quality early care and education saves taxpayers up to $13.00 in future costs" (Calman & Tarr-Whelan, 2005).
The faces below, along with the nearly 200 children and families, staff and administrators at CFNC hope to see you soon!