CRESC WEEKLY UPDATE

Every big dream starts with a small step, and every confident child starts with a caring teacher. Here's to a wonderful new school year of guiding our youngest learners!

• DATE: Wednesday, August 12th
• TIME: 12:00pm-3:00pm ZOOM

• REGISTER ON SHOE BOX SESSION #588630

(If you do not have a shoebox account-see steps below)

You will receive the zoom link 24 hours before scheduled ZOOM to the email you registered on shoebox.

Designed for infant/toddler educators, this session introduces the CLASS® 2nd edition (Classroom Assessment Scoring System) infant/toddler framework—an evidence-based observation tool focused on adult-child interactions. Participants will explore the structure of the tool across its primary domains, dimensions, and behavioral indicators.

Register on shoebox

If you do not have an account please see the steps to below

1. Go to the Crowley’s Ridge Educational Service Cooperative (CRESC) website located at http://crowleys.k12.ar.us/

2. Click on SHOEBOX LOG IN

3. Click on SIGN IN

4. Type in a valid email address that you can access year round ***It is important that you use a valid email address that you can access year round for any communication regarding your registered events. You will be contacted via this email address for event cancellations, time/location changes, or any other pertinent information.***

5. Click No, I am new to this site then Continue

6. Complete all personal information as indicated

7. In the Region field, please choose Crowley’s Ridge Education Cooperative

8. In the District field, please choose your school district (other)

9. In the Position field, please choose the one that best suits your job position then Continue

10. On the next page, please choose your Campus (if you do not work at a school, please choose Central Office/Other)

11. Next you must create a password in Make My Password field (Note: passwords can ONLY be lower case letters and/or numbers—do NOT use any capital letters in your password or the system will not allow you to log in) 1

2. Next, retype that password in Confirm Password field

13. Click Finish—you should receive a Congratulations! You have successfully created a new user account!

14. You may now Sign In and begin registering for events by clicking on Catalog

The Monthly Provider Calls are held on the first Tuesday of each month at 12:00 p.m. The purpose of these meetings is to provide announcements, updates, Provider highlights, etc. To attend these meetings, please register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Ezj991LVT_GR2x9JRt0X4w After you register, a link to join the meeting will be emailed to you.

• August 4, 2026 - Child Care Provider - (YouTube)
  • PowerPoint - Provider Call (August 4, 2026)
  • OEC Fast Facts - August 2026
  • Provider Call FAQ - 8.4.26

A great resource was shared for all OEC providers that include ABC. I wanted to specifically share this piece regarding payment remittance notices.

• The Office of State Procurement (OSP) generates automatic emails with your payment information.
• The additional information piece is important, as it details where the payment is from if you have multiple funding sources. That includes SRA, ABC, Quality Payments, etc.

You can view the full recording and slides after it is posted to the website here: https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/office-of-early-childhood/informational-provider-calls

Providers,

We are proud to announce a new partnership with brightwheel through the Center for Early Learning Solutions at Forward Arkansas, the #1 childcare management software used by programs nationwide. Through this partnership, programs across our state can access brightwheel’s tools for free, including attendance tracking, family communication, billing, enrollment, reporting, and learning documentation. Brightwheel helps educators save time, stay organized, and create stronger family partnerships.

Facilities will NOT qualify if already currently use an electronic system.

Learn more: info.mybrightwheel.com/forward-ar

Best regards,

Wendy Green

Local Lead, CRESC

Now Scheduling: CLASS Observations!

It’s that time of year again! We are officially booking CLASS observations for the upcoming school year. Please take a moment to check your inbox and reply to any scheduling emails so we can coordinate the best dates for you and your team. We appreciate your prompt responses!

See the information below for details about this upcoming "Learning Year" (2026-27) at CRESC!

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

CLASS Observers,

We are reaching out to share an important policy update regarding CLASS observer recertifications moving forward.

1. Recertification Expiration Tracking Please complete the form linked below as soon as possible so we can update our records with your current certification status and expiration date:

👉 LINK

2. Updated Funding & Cost Responsibility Policy Please be aware that the Office of Early Childhood (OEC) is no longer funding CLASS recertifications. Moving forward, funding for recertification will depend on your observation area and role:

• Local Lead Funding Eligibility: Local Leads are only able to cover recertification costs for observers who actively conduct CLASS observations within the CRESC service area.

• Out-of-Area Observers & Individual Responsibility: If you are conducting observations outside the CRESC area, or if you are not currently actively observing, you will be responsible for covering your own recertification fees.

Please fill out the form above so we can verify your status and determine if your recertification is eligible for coverage.

If you have any questions regarding your observer status or coverage eligibility, please feel free to reach out. Thank you for your continued dedication to supporting quality early childhood experiences!

Best regards,

Wendy Green

Starting July 2028 school year, Arkansas will require all publicly funded early childhood programs to use a curriculum from the state’s official Approved Curriculum List. The goal is to ensure every classroom has high-quality materials that support great teaching, and the state is even working to find free or low-cost options to help make this change easier for everyone.

I am more than happy to support any provider as you begin to do your research on what HQIM is best for YOUR facility!

Click on link https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Files/Final_Approved_List_OEC.pdf IMPORTANT: Once you click the link, you can select the underlined curriculum within each box to view a breakdown of why it was chosen.

For more information, here is a helpful website: https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/office-of-early-childhood/content--development/curriculum

Call your Local Lead.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you and shout-out to two wonderful partners: Steudlein Learning Center in Crittenden County and MCAEOC Head Start & Early Head Start in Mississippi County.

Thank you for opening your facilities and allowing the CRESC Local Lead team to spend valuable time collaborating, learning, and sharing with your incredible staff. We are constantly humbled by your unwavering dedication to the children in our community!

Be well,

Wendy Green

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

Kindergarten Readiness Tips Flyer Is Ready!

💫The Kindergarten Readiness Tips Flyer is now ready to share with families! This resource provides simple, playful ways caregivers can support children’s growth in language, early literacy, math, social-emotional skills, self-help skills, and physical development—all aligned with Arkansas early learning standards.

Please feel free to print, post, and send this flyer home with families as we work together to support smooth and successful transitions to kindergarten.

As we look ahead to a fantastic school year, I want to remind you that I would love to support your upcoming community events, school Literacy Nights, or Math Nights!

CRESC will be represented at these events by your Local Lead.. My goal is to be there to support birth through Pre-K in our community with families and to help you promote the importance of early childhood education.

If you have any events or special nights coming up, please reach out and let me know the details. You can send all information directly to me at wgreen@crmail.k12.ar.us.

I can't wait to see what other amazing events you have planned!

Wendy Green

Providers,

We are thrilled to share that Crowley's Ridge Educational Service Cooperative (CRESC) was recently featured in a national LENA newsletter spotlight! This feature celebrates our incredible partnership and the measurable impact our local early childhood educators are making every day.

As your Local Lead Team, our goal is to support your facilities and ensure our providers have a strong voice in early childhood education. To put that into action, we launched the LENA Grow program pilot in 11 classrooms across two Arkansas districts.

📊 The Results Speak for Themselves:

• Massive Language Gains: Children who started the program with the least amount of talk saw the biggest gains, averaging +6.7 conversational turns per hour—which is a phenomenal 71% growth!

• Empowered Educators: Our participating teachers noticed an immediate difference—100% of them reported increased confidence, higher job satisfaction, and improved family communication.

💬 What Our Teachers Are Saying:

"I loved the LENA GROW!!!! It really helped me think outside the box exploring ways for my students to communicate with me and others around them."

— April Smallman, Lead Teacher at Trumann Preschool, AR

Thank you to all the dedicated educators who poured their hearts into making this launch such a massive success. We are so excited to continue this journey, expand our impact, and keep strengthening our early childhood community together!

Best regards,

Your Local Lead Team, CRESC

Want to learn more about how LENA Grow is shifting early literacy across the state? Check out the Arkansas LENA Grow Initiative.