Contact information: 413/775-1420
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Contact: Liz Carroll
Phone: 413/775-1420
E-mail: carroll@gcc.mass.edu

Media contact: Liz Carroll
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413/775-1420 | carroll@gcc.mass.edu

Release date: February 14, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nominations sought for new award in early education and care

The Franklin County Collaboration for Children, in partnership with the Education Department at Greenfield Community College , invites nominations for the first Abigail Adams Eliot Award in Early Education and Care. This award will recognize an individual working directly with children ages 0-5 in the field of early childhood education who has made an exemplary contribution to young children and their families in Franklin County. The recipient will be honored at the Third Annual Educational Forum to be held at Greenfield Community College on Friday, April 1, 2005 from 7:30 to 10:00 AM.

The topic of this year's forum is "School Readiness: Are Schools Getting Ready for Kids or Are Kids Getting Ready for School?” Elisabeth Schaefer, Director of Early Learning Services from the Massachusetts Department of Education, will be the keynote speaker. A panel of educators and community members will address the topic. A light breakfast and open discussion will follow. If you are interested in attending the Educational Forum, please contact Karen Green, Union #38 Community Partnership for Children Coordinator, at (413) 665-8928.

Award nominees should be individuals who are working with young children in an educational setting in Franklin County and have made an outstanding contribution to our community over a long period of time. (Family Child Care Providers and Early Childhood teachers are some of the professionals that may be considered.) Nominations may be submitted by parents, Early Childhood practitioners or other community members.

The Franklin County Collaboration for Children (FCCC) is composed of the following organizations: Community Partnerships for Children in Franklin County, Girls Club of Greenfield, Education Department at Greenfield Community College, Western Massachusetts Association for the Education of Young Children, YMCA Preschool, Franklin County community Action Programs: Franklin County Family Network, Franklin Athol Child Care Services, and the Parent-Child Development Center. The mission of the FCCC is to collaborate, educate and advocate, on behalf of young children and their families in Franklin County .

For paper or electronic nomination forms, contact Karen Green,

at (413) 665-8928 or greenk@frsu38.deerfield.ma.us . The deadline for nominations is March 16.