CRESC Weekly Update

We are thrilled to celebrate 15 more of CRESC’s very own owners and directors who just successfully completed their 2nd Edition CLASS® Observer Training at the Trumann School District with CRESC Local Lead Wendy Green! 🙌📊

Taking this deep dive into classroom quality is no small feat, and we are so proud of the dedication these leaders continue to show for our region’s educators and children.

A massive THANK YOU to Terry Flowers and Stephanie Patterson for leading the way and providing your amazing hospitality and a wonder facility to host this training. 🌟

We also have to give a huge, well-deserved shout-out to Mrs. Box, Mrs. Ballard, and Mr. Zane for providing amazing technology support and truly saving the day! I couldn't have done it without your quick thinking and tech heroism. 🛠️💻✨

Now, the final stretch is here... I just need all of our amazing participants to push the button and pass that assessment! You’ve got all the knowledge, you've done the work, and we are cheering you on to the finish line. You've got this! 🏁💪

#CRESC #CLASSTraining #EarlyChildhoodLeaders #TrumannSchoolDistrict #ObserverCertification #Teamwork MakesTheDreamWork

Wendy Green will be presenting at the ADE Summit this week! If you need any assistance while she is away, please feel free to reach out to the local leads support team, and we will get back to you as soon as we can!

Anna Rice arice@crmail.k12.ar.us

Hayley Coster hcostner@crmail.k12.ar.us

CRESC Local Lead office number 870-578-0337

Dear Owners and Directors,

We are writing to address a growing issue regarding our upcoming Infant & Toddler training sessions.

Recently, we have had a high number of participants sign up for training sessions but fail to attend. Because spots are limited, these "no-shows" are unfortunately preventing other directors/owners who genuinely need the training from being able to register.

To ensure all available slots are fully utilized, please review the following critical updates:

• Mandatory Confirmation Deadline: A formal email will be sent directly to all facility owners and directors this coming Monday. If you do not respond to confirm your staff's attendance, Wendy Green will begin removing your participants from the roster.

• If still attempting to pass a previous CLASS observer assessment, do not sign up until pass or used all three attempts.

• Observer Openings Available: If your facility still requires an observer spot for the Infant & Toddler training, please fill out the request form here: FORM

• Registration Restriction: To streamline this process and ensure accountability, we are only accepting registrations directly from owners or directors who are officially tied to a licensed facility at this time. Individual participant sign-ups will not be accepted.

Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter and for partnering with us to keep these valuable training spots filled.

Best regards,

Wendy Green

📋 AR App Compliance Reminder: Early Childhood Local Lead Designation

As you finalize your annual Arkansas Unified Application (AR App) for the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE), please ensure you complete the required Local Lead identification.

• Where to find it: Under the "Improving Academic Outcomes" subtitle, listed as part of Question 1.14 in the Early Childhood section.

• What is required: Districts must officially identify and input their designated Local Lead, Wendy Green for the upcoming school year to meet mandatory state reporting requirements.

The ABC Monthly Provider Call resumes on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 12:00 PM (CT). Beginning in August, meetings will be held on the last Tuesday of each month through May 25, 2027. Join us for important updates, resources, and provider information.

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/91461066428?pwd=xvPGN0vIJ4NCTyIYvQJdJJFtgPirw5.1

Meeting ID: 914 6106 6428
Passcode: 767594

Previous Meetings Information:

• July 7, 2026 - Child Care Provider - (YouTube)
  
• PowerPoint - Provider Call (July 7, 2026)
  

Don't Miss the Next QRIS Monthly Provider Call with OEC

• When: The third Tuesday of each month at 12:00 p.m.

• What: A monthly webinar designed to support you.

• Action: Stay informed and get your questions answered. Register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cHLB89ttSVu8Wi9NtZlu5A#/registration

Shareable Resource: At-Home Math Games for Preschoolers Support your families' early literacy and math journeys by sharing the Families in the Know flyer! This printable resource gives parents easy, actionable ideas like Bear Sorting and Number Match to reinforce math concepts through play. It’s an excellent, stress-free way for families to support the intentional learning you do every day in your environment. https://canva.link/49i1zfajxaj5eb4

Dear Providers,

As we step together into the CLASS® "Learning Year," the Crowley's Ridge Educational Service Cooperative (CRESC) catchment area is launching a structured rollout designed to guide and assist you every step of the way.

Please review the three-part rollout process below, which outlines exactly how we will work alongside your facility moving forward.

Part 1: Initial Local Lead Facility Visits & Reliability Setup

• Step 1: Contact & Scheduling – A member of the CRESC Local Lead team will contact you directly by phone or email to schedule an in-person facility visit. Please note: No CLASS observer will begin conducting official observations until the Local Lead team contacts you to confirm your facility is fully ready.

• Step 2: Dual Coding & Observations – During this scheduled visit, the Local Lead team will sit down with your facility's certified observer to "double-code" side-by-side. Together, we will code all four 20-minute observation sessions.

• Step 3: The NICE Process – Following the observations, our team will remain on-site to walk through and complete the NICE process for one full cycle.

• Step 4: Supporting Independence – Once reliability is confirmed and we have completed our post-observation conversation, the Local Lead team will determine the next steps. We may schedule follow-up visits to support additional observations, or we may hand over the official CLASS booklets so your certified observer can independently conduct CLASS observations within your facility.

Part 2: Data Collection & Portal Uploads

• Step 1: Data Collection – The Local Lead team will meet with your CLASS observer or pick up completed observation data to collect the entire facility's observation records.

• Step 2: Teachstone Portal Management – To maintain consistency and reduce administrative burdens on your staff, no individual inside the CRESC catchment area will have direct portal access to upload their own data. The Local Lead team will personally enter and manage all facility observations within the Teachstone portal.

Part 3: Feedback Meetings

• Step 1: Afternoon Next-Step Meetings – Once the data is securely logged in the Teachstone portal, the Local Lead team will schedule an afternoon meeting with your CLASS Observer (Director/Owner). Note: Each facility has the complete choice to include their classroom teachers in this meeting or keep it administrative. During this time, we will collaboratively review the data and map out a next-step action plan for your staff.

• Step 2: Sign-Off & Documentation – At the conclusion of this afternoon's meeting, the CLASS Observer (Director/Owner) will sign our completion form to confirm that our team has fulfilled this task. You will receive a physical copy of this documentation for your records.

❤️ We Are Here to Support You

As you can clearly see from this structured rollout, your Local Leads are here to serve as your support system. Our entire focus is on uplifting, assisting, and protecting everyone through this process moving forward.

We truly cannot wait to work directly alongside you to do what is best for your staff, your centers, and the children of our CRESC catchment area!

Warmly,

Wendy Green

Local Lead Captain

At our very first meeting, six dedicated owners and directors—Mrs. Chandler, Mrs. Wolf, Mrs. Easley, Ms. Massengill, Ms. Colburn, and Mrs. Baldwin—came together to dive into Root Cause Analysis and review CRESC data to start making powerful, informed decisions for our programs.

Now, we are ready to expand our table!

Join the CRESC Early Childhood Governance and Finance Project (ECGFP)

"Building Knowledge and Future Success"

CRESC is looking for up to 20 more passionate leaders who would love to join our team. We are bringing everyone together to collaborate, talk openly, and learn from one another's experiences.

• Why Join? Collaborate with peers, analyze meaningful data, and gain critical insights into early childhood governance and finance.

• Who Can Join? Owners, directors, and early childhood leaders looking to make a collaborative impact.

Intrigued? Let’s Connect!

If this sounds like an opportunity you want to be a part of, please reach out to our Local Lead:

• Contact: Wendy Green

• Email: wgreen@crmail.k12.ar.us

We look forward to bringing your voice to the table!

I wanted to quickly pass along a funding opportunity that may be worth looking into for your facility.

The application window for the Giving Tree Grant Program is officially open. This program supports a broad range of projects that serve immediate local needs.

Important Dates & Details:

• Application Window: Opened July 10 and closes August 15.

• How to Apply: This grant is managed locally by participating affiliate offices. You will need to contact the executive director in your specific area to learn more about their local priorities and application timelines.

If you need assistance or have questions, you can contact them directly at 501-372-1116. and here is the link for the wevsite https://www.arcf.org/apply-for-giving-tree-grants/

Best regards,

Wendy Green

We have heard your requests and are thrilled to announce some highly anticipated upcoming training opportunities for your staff!

To better support your teams, we will soon be hosting:

• Two Pre-K CLASS Zoom sessions for staff

• Two Infant & Toddler CLASS Zoom sessions for staff

Key Details:

• Time: All sessions will run from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

• Instructors: These sessions will be led by Anna and Haley.

• Registration: Sign-ups will be handled through Shoebox at CRESC.

Keep a close eye on your inbox for the official dates, which will be released very soon!

If your facility is currently in need of specific professional development, we are here to support you. Reach out to us, and we will happily help connect you to the right updated trainings.