Healthy Minds and Healthy Bodies! Everyone has a role in helping to create and support healthy eating patterns in multiple settings nationwide. Over 30% of children are overweight or obese, and those numbers have persisted for more than two decades (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2015). We [...]
EDWINNA'S RECIPE OF THE MONTH: Beef Stroganoff We are excited to announce that our longtime cook, Edwinna Ferguson, will provide our monthly recipe. Edwinna has worked at BGCC since 2014 and has 30+ years of experience in the food industry. She will now share some of her children’s center meal recipes with you. [...]
HOWDY FAMILIES AND FRIENDS! Celebrating National CACFP Week in March! March is National Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Week, and we are proud to celebrate our commitment to providing the highest-quality meals, nutritional education and physical development for our young Aggies at the Children’s Centers. Research shows that good nutrition in early [...]
Family-Style Dining in Child Care Settings Many early childhood programs, including BGCC and CSCC, use the family-style dining model to serve meals to children. Family-style dining is considered a best practice in child care settings for children of all ages. It involves adults sitting at the same table as children in small groups, with [...]
High Quality Learning Environments A high-quality learning environment is crucial for young children because it supports brain development, cognitive and language development, and social-emotional and physical development. Teachers who create warm and inviting environments support the developmental needs of young learners. There are several key components to having a supportive classroom environment.• Safe and Nurturing: [...]
RECIPE OF THE MONTH: Broccoli Cheese Soup We are excited to announce that beginning this month, longtime cook Edwinna Ferguson, will provide our monthly recipe. Edwinna has worked at BGCC since 2014 and has 30+ years of experience in the food industry. She will now share some of her children’s center meal recipes [...]
Seeking Texas Rising Star Recertification Our Executive Director’s Update provides an overview of the Texas Rising Star certification as Becky Gates Children’s Center prepares for a recertification this year. The assessment process is broken into four categories: director and staff qualifications and training, teacher-child interactions, program administration, and indoor and outdoor environments. As you might [...]
HOWDY FAMILIES AND FRIENDS! Texas Rising Star (TRS) Certification We strive to continuously improve the quality of our programs for your children. That is why both centers are preparing for Texas Rising Star (TRS) certification in March. TRS is a comprehensive quality rating and improvement system for Texas early childhood programs. It uses a [...]
As 2024 comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on the events of the year and looking forward to many exciting things to come. The move to the College of Education and Human Development has already proven to be one that is going to move both the Centers into the spotlight not only [...]
Happy New Year CSCC Families! As I look back on 2024, I am still in awe of the progress and growth made during the past year at Charlotte Sharp Children's Center. We have seen remarkable advancements in our curriculum, indoor and outdoor spaces, growth, research opportunities and collaboration with TAMU departments and community partners [...]
HOWDY FAMILIES AND FRIENDS! We hope everyone had a joyful holiday season, filled with kindness and love. As we step into 2025 and reflect on the accomplishments of 2024, we are filled with pride and gratitude. It has been an exciting year of growth and achievement, and we are happy to share some of [...]
RECIPE OF THE MONTH: Pasta e Fagioli Wash your hands with soap and water, then gather all your equipment and ingredients and put them on a counter. Recipe provided by: www.chopchopfamily.org. Kitchen Gear Cutting board Sharp knife (adult needed) Measuring spoons Measuring cups Large pot with [...]
HOWDY FAMILIES AND FRIENDS! Embracing our Aggie Core Value of Selfless Service As we approach the holiday season, our Aggie Core Value of Selfless Service shines brightly. This core value centered on helping others without expectations of personal reward or recognition, is a guiding principle in both our center's culture and the hearts [...]
RECIPE OF THE MONTH: Hot Cocoa, Mexican Style Wash your hands with soap and water, then gather all your equipment and ingredients and put them on a counter. Recipe provided by: www.chopchopfamily.org. Kitchen Gear Small saucepan Measuring cup Measuring spoons Whisk or fork Ingredients 1 [...]
Howdy CSCC Families, As we reach the end of the year, we reflect with gratitude on the many wonderful moments we’ve shared. We are especially thankful for our dedicated families and staff who made 2024 such a successful and meaningful year. This year brought many exciting advancements: New Curriculum: Teachers embraced [...]
Classroom Highlights Did you know that: Play is a necessity. Play is a fundamental building block. Play is the beginning of knowledge. Play is training for the unexpected. Play is the highest form of human development. Play is about taking risks, experimenting and testing boundaries. Play is brain building. Play is the exultation of [...]
Howdy CSCC Families, We are excited to share that the cooler weather arrived just in time for our children and staff to fully enjoy the new outdoor play materials on our back playground. The children are thrilled with all the new materials and outdoor activities! Our teachers recently completed training designed [...]
Professional Learning at BGCC Carolina Bratlien and Erika Rodriguez attended the Bing Nursery School’s Summer Educator Session at Stanford University. Bing Nursery School, established in 1966, was described as “a national treasure” by Professor Emerita of Psychology Eleanor E. Maccoby. The mission of Bing Nursery School is to provide a laboratory [...]
HOWDY FAMILIES AND FRIENDS! “Learning and teaching should not stand on opposite banks and just watch the river flow by; instead, they should embark together on a journey down the water. Through an active, reciprocal exchange, teaching can strengthen learning and how to learn.” – Loris Malaguzzi, Founder of Reggio Emilia Early Childhood [...]
RECIPE OF THE MONTH: Fall Apple Crunch Wash your hands with soap and water, then gather all your equipment and ingredients and put them on a counter. Recipe provided by: www.chopchopfamily.org. Kitchen Gear Cutting board Sharp knife (adult needed) Measuring cups Measuring spoons 8 x 8-inch [...]
HOWDY FAMILIES AND FRIENDS! This is a favorite time of year where the weather cools off a little, the leaves slowly begin to change, and we begin to feel renewed. The children have developed attachment bonds and strong relationships with their teachers allowing them to explore more freely. It is exciting to witness the [...]
HOWDY FAMILIES AND FRIENDS! The Children’s Centers are busy building a collaborative community shaping lifelong innovative learners…. STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) plays a vital role in early childhood education. It serves as the foundation for our curriculum, emphasizing inquire-based instruction. Key elements of our approach include active learning, hands-on experiences, [...]
Howdy CSCC Parents, Fall has arrived, and the students are settling into a routine, making new friends, and learning something new every day. We are so excited to announce we are providing warm meals! Thank you all for your patients during this transition time. Menus are available at the front desk. Thank you, families, [...]
RECIPE OF THE MONTH: Pumpkin Biscuits Wash your hands with soap and water, then gather all your equipment and ingredients and put them on a counter. Recipe provided by: www.chopchopfamily.org. Kitchen Gear Baking sheet Measuring cups Measuring spoons Large bowl Box grater Small bowl Large spoon [...]
RECIPE OF THE MONTH: Sloppy Joes Wash your hands with soap and water, then gather all your equipment and ingredients and put them on a counter. Recipe provided by: www.chopchopfamily.org. Kitchen Gear Cutting board Sharp knife (adult needed) Measuring cup Measuring spoons Large skillet Large spoon [...]
HOWDY FAMILIES AND FRIENDS! Last month, I outlined our strategic priorities and goals that support our new vision and mission. A key factor in achieving these priorities and goals is the vital role played by our Instructional Coaches. We have three instructional coaches who coordinate the Early Childhood Teaching and Education programs at [...]
HOWDY FAMILIES AND FRIENDS! We are happy to see returning families and welcome new families this fall semester! The children are beginning to acclimate to their new environments and build strong relationships with their teachers and peers. With the start of a new year, we have many fun events planned throughout the [...]
Howdy CSCC Parents, We are happy to see returning families and welcome new families this fall semester! The children are beginning to acclimate to their new classroom environment. They are excited about the new furniture and materials we recently received. Family Style dining in the classroom is new to the center. [...]
Howdy Families and Friends, This time of year, I find myself reflecting on the growth we have seen in the children. Our littlest Aggies in Howdy, Gig ’Em and Century Tree who began the year walking tentatively into the building, now run in and out with confidence. They have [...]
Howdy CSCC Families, Wow! – can you believe it is already August?! We wish our kindergartners all the best in school and welcome our new families joining us! Did you know August is designated Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month? A good rule of thumb is to examine your children’s eyes [...]
RECIPE OF THE MONTH: Fall Apple Crunch Wash your hands with soap and water, then gather all your equipment and ingredients and put them on a counter. Recipe provided by: www.chopchopfamily.org. Kitchen Gear Cutting board Sharp knife (adult needed) Measuring cups Measuring spoons 8 x 8-inch [...]
HOWDY FAMILIES AND FRIENDS! Last month, I shared our new vision and mission statements to provide insight into how our Children’s Centers will provide a rich learning environment that inspires children to seek knowledge and skills throughout their lives. This month, I am excited to expand upon our vision and mission by sharing [...]
REQUIRED FORMS Admission Form (2935) Parent's Rights (2987) Appearance Release Classroom Directory Authorization Family Questionnaire CACFPInstructionsParticipant Enrollment FormBenefit Income Eligibility Form OTHER HELPFUL FORMS/DOCUMENTS 2024-2025 Immunization Requirements Health Care Professional Statement BGCC Handbook Payment Options Fiscal Year 2025 Payroll Deduct Form - Coming Soon! Door Access Card Request FormInformational Flyers ALLERGY FORMS Allergy Action Plan [...]
RECIPE OF THE MONTH: Waldorf Salad Wash your hands with soap and water, then gather all your equipment and ingredients and put them on a counter. Recipe provided by: www.chopchopfamily.org. Kitchen Gear Cutting board Sharp knife (adult needed) Measuring spoons Measuring cups Medium Bowl Large spoon [...]
CSCC Center Spotlight Our School Age program is running smoothly. Children are excited about exploring various learning opportunities our amazing teaching staff provides. Children are provided opportunities to engage in large and small group activities and individual time for reading and writing. They look forward to Splash Day every Friday [...]
BGCC Center Spotlight Research provides us with evidence of the importance of play for young children. I encourage you to read an article published by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2018: The Power of Play: A Pediatric Role in Enhancing Development in Young Children ”Children need to develop a [...]
HOWDY FAMILIES AND FRIENDS! I am excited to share our Children’s Centers’ new vision and mission and provide some insight into how we will provide a rich learning environment that inspires children to seek knowledge and skills throughout their lives. Our vision and mission below were crafted, reviewed and refined over the past [...]
HOWDY FAMILIES AND FRIENDS! Summer is here, and we are ready for summertime fun! A few of our favorite activities are International Mud Day, Freedom Parade & BBQ, End of Summer Bash, and of course water and sensory play days! We want to welcome new families to our wonderful programs. We are honored [...]
Howdy Families and Friends! May brings the end of the spring semester and it is a great time to celebrate so many people who make our program the best it can be. We celebrated 40 amazing children who will be moving on to kindergarten in August with a wonderful graduation [...]
Howdy CSCC Parents and Staff! Welcome new and returning families joining us this summer! We are excited about the summer activities we have in store. Activities like splash and messy art days. Our summer school age program is led by Ms. Molly and Ms. Jamie. Joining them will be Ms. [...]
RECIPE OF THE MONTH: Banana "Ice-Cream" Sandwiches Wash your hands with soap and water, then gather all your equipment and ingredients and put them on a counter. Recipe provided by: www.chopchopfamily.org. Kitchen Gear Cutting board Dinner knife Plate Food processor (adult needed) Wooden spoon or silicone spatula [...]
Howdy Families, I would like to introduce our new staff members Ariana and Erin. Both ladies come to us with a wealth of experience in Early Childhood education. We are excited to have them as part of CSCC family. As we enter the beautiful month of May, [...]
RECIPE OF THE MONTH: Summer Quesadillas Wash your hands with soap and water, then gather all your equipment and ingredients and put them on a counter. Recipe provided by: www.chopchopfamily.org. Kitchen Gear Large plate Measuring cup Box grater Measuring spoons Skillet Heatproof spatula Serving plate [...]
HOWDY FAMILIES AND FRIENDS! April brought a wave of excitement to the Children’s Centers as we celebrated the Week of the Young Child, embarked on Walk Across Texas, BGCC received National Recognition for two Certified Nature Explore Classrooms, and cheered on the CSCC graduates (with BGCC to follow suit in May). Week of [...]
HOWDY FAMILIES AND FRIENDS! The theme for May seems to be CELEBRATE! Celebrate… our graduates! We have a lot to celebrate in May, not the least of which are 39 pre-kindergarten children who are excited to graduate! We hope you can join us on Friday, May 3 at 7:00 in Bethancourt [...]
We are excited to have new classroom teachers here at CSCC along with new student workers to support our classrooms. Our new student workers will start next week. Their role will be to support our teaching staff and step in for teachers when they are absent. In addition, we are in the process of [...]
Howdy Families! There is so much going on it is hard to keep up with it all; everyone at BGCC has been very busy! With the spring weather, if the children are not Walking Across Texas, they are prepping garden beds for spring planting. If they are not creating masterpieces in [...]
RECIPE OF THE MONTH: Chilled Pea Soup with Mint Wash your hands with soap and water, then gather all your equipment and ingredients and put them on a counter. Recipe provided by: www.chopchopfamily.org. Kitchen Gear Cutting board Sharp knife (adult needed) Large pot with lid Measuring [...]
HOWDY FAMILIES AND FRIENDS! There are many exciting things happening this spring at the Children’s Centers. We kick off spring with professional development, new menus, Week of the Young Child, and graduation! As a reminder, BGCC graduation is Friday, May 3, at 7 p.m. at Bethancourt Ballroom in the MSC. CSCC graduation is [...]
Center Spotlight: Ms. Kim Hodge This month we are shining the spotlight on CSCC’s new instructional coach, Ms. Kim Hodge. We enjoyed having Mrs. Krista Van De Flier working alongside us and truly appreciate all of her dedication to CSCC. Mrs. Krista will continue working with our teaching staff and [...]
