Professional Learning Alternatives, Inc.
is a nonprofit training and advocacy resource for child care professionals, parents, and those interested in supporting the development and education of young children.
Deb Colling
Executive Director
8244 177th Lane
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-8777
Fax: 651-286-0885
(former WCCO television anchor)
Keynote Presenter
"Is Nature Deficit Disorder Real?"
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
Chisago City, Minnesota
Doors open at 7:00 AM; sessions begin at 8:00 AM.
Event concludes at 4:15 PM.
Registration is now open! Early bird rates until February 11th.
Register for the KEYNOTE session only.
($12.00 through February 21. $15.00 at the door.)
Info here
Download Registration Form (pdf)
January 2012 (doc)
January 2012 (pdf)
December 2011 (doc)
December 2011 (pdf)
November - December 2011 (doc)
November - December 2011 (pdf)
October 2011 (doc)
October 2011 (pdf)
If you prefer to register offline, download a Registration Form and choose the option that suits you.
Union Misrepresentation in Minnesota
On November 14, 2011, Governor Dayton issued an Executive Order
authorizing a unionization vote.
On the morning of December 5, 2011, Ramsey County District Court Judge Dale Lindman issued a temporary halt to the union vote.There was NO union vote in December.
The issue will be heard in court on February 22, 2012.
Federal lawsuit
Filed in Minnesota on January 19, 2012.
Union FAQs
(by Coalition of Family Child Care Providers)
Read these news reports:
http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2011/12/05/judge-hears-arguments-in-child-care-union-vote
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2011/12/05/judge-blocks-child-care-union-vote
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505245_162-57336907/judge-blocks-union-vote-for-child-
care-providers
http://www.postbulletin.com/news/stories/display.php?id=1477337
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/05/us-minnesota-daycare-union-idUSTRE7B42GU20111205
http://www.twincities.com/ci_19478025
Listen here:
http://download.publicradio.org/podcast/minnesota/podcasts/policast/2011/12/policast_20111206_64.mp3?_kip_ipx=921672233-1323190874
Visit www.childcareunioninfo.com for up-to-date, non-political information about this very important issue. Locate your provider contact to ask your questions about the potential effects to your private business.
You should continue to contact your legislators with your opinion on this matter as well as the Governor. Educate them on the facts and the potential effects on your independent business. Call or email them today!
(For the most up-to-date information, visit www.childcareunioninfo.com.)
Child care professionals already have and frequently utilize numerous avenues open to them to work with legislators, county commissioners, city councils, and the Department of Human Services, etc. You are already free to engage as individuals and as members of child care professional organizations to which you choose to belong. You are free to choose education that meets both your personal and professional goals as well as the state licensing statutes. Unionization cannot change this and must not be allowed to believe it can.
Providers (and all citizens) need to
understand you already have a reserved seat at any table you wish.
You
just need to show up!
The grassroots effort to oppose the unionization of child care providers is directed solely by a
cohort of licensed family child care providers.
These women have worked diligently - some since 2005 - to educate themselves and others about the secret efforts of the unions. They have made phone calls, written letters, held meetings, spoken on radio and television, been interviewed by journalists and reporters, traveled throughout Minnesota to government and child care association meetings, set up a website, and spent their own money to appear at conferences and send information to thousands of Minnesota child care providers/businesses.
You are already empowered. But you must use your power for it to make any difference!
(This information is not intended to be taken as an overall anti-union stance.
For this type of independent, self-employed, small business owner, however, it is not a workable choice.)
(For the most up-to-date information, visit www.childcareunioninfo.com.)
Event Flyers
Let's Talk Anoka County (Feb 27) (pdf)
Prescription Drug Abuse Forum (Feb 28) (pdf)
Building a Competent Community and School Plan for Youth Suicide Prevention (Feb 28) (docx)
(for professionals)
Not My Kid: A Community Conversation on Youth Suicide Prevention (Feb 28) (docx)
(for the community)
Cultural Competency & Inclusion (March 7 and May 10) (doc)
Smart Parenting, Smarter Kids Dr. David Walsh (March 8) (pdf)
(free public event)
Bridges to Mental Wellness (April 17) (pdf)
Articles and Flyers
Fire Holiday Fact Sheet (pdf)
Holiday Safety Tips (pdf)
Caring for Older Adults? Holiday Gift Ideas for Caregivers and Care Receivers (doc)
Top 10 Tips to Minimize Holiday Stress (doc)
Bullying and Disability Harassment in the Workplace - What Youth Should Know (pdf)
Youths in Military Families Since 9-11 (pdf)
Changing Perceptions of Sexual Violence Over Time (pdf)
What You Need to Know About Prescription Drug Abuse (pdf)
Character Counts! Poster (pdf)
EE Week Educators: Ocean Connections - Watersheds to Reefs (pdf)Monitoring Your Teen's Activities: What Parents and Families Should Know (pdf)
Eating and Emotions in Obese Toddlers (pdf)
Community Resources
St. Andrew's Lutheran Church Community Resource Center (pdf)
Washington County Chemical Action Collaborative (CHAC)
Washington County Youth (WACY)
The Alliance for a Violence-Free Anoka County
Activity Ideas
New Links!
December Activities
Would You Rather...? Conversation Starters (pdf)
The Elf Dance (pdf)
Word Find Santa Claus (pdf)
Christmas Song Title Gobbledygook (pdf)
December Holidays
Snowman Poop, Reindeer Food, and Winter Rabbit Food (pdf)
Christmas Songs (pdf)
Conversion Questions (pdf)
Christmas Math Facts (pdf)
Christmas Jokes (pdf)
Christmas Word Challenge (pdf)
Bullying
Crossword Puzzle (pdf)
Archives
The Wonder Bowl
Angling for a Laugh
Tropical Treasures
Explore a Pond
Japan Tsunami Project
Spring Opens Doors to Experience Nature
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Schoolyard Habitat Project Guide
How to Plant a Tree Bookmark
Thirstin's Water Cycle Adventures
Space Shuttle Experiences
Family Activities
We All Need Trees
Adopt a Tree
Trees as Habitat
The Fallen Log
Looking at Leaves
Tree Cookies
Signs of Fall
Healthy Habits for Life/Sesame Street
Healthy Habits - 1
Healthy Habits - 2
Healthy Habits - 3
Guide for Parents and Caregivers
Minnesota Symbols Coloring Book
ABCs of Environmental Education
Endangered Species Coloring Book
Science Demonstration - Drinking Water (K-12)
Be Water and Energy Wise! Tips
The Water-Energy Connection Activities
The Field Museum Water Calculator
Send us your ideas and we'll include them here for others to enjoy, too.
Live Barn Owl Webcam at the Audubon California Starr Ranch Sanctuary
North American Bear Center Live Webcams in Minnesota
Wildlife Research Institute in Ely, Minnesota
Eagle Webcam in Decorah, Iowa
(Scroll down to view recent videos.)
Nestcams in various states
Click here for a list of suggested donation items for
military service members and their families. We will accept your donations at all PLA-INC.-sponsored seminars.
Thank you to all military veterans, current service members, and their families for their dedicated service and untold sacrifices for us.
(May 31, 2011)
Quick Links to:
Seminar Schedule
Promotional Opportunities
Let us know!
**** If you are working on your CDA (or just want to get some concentrated in-service and networking accomplished) and would like to schedule a Saturday training in
Cambridge or Forest Lake, please sign up here.
Be sure to include "Saturday In-service" in the subject line.
Also include your city of choice and a selection of topics.
Professional Learning Alternatives for all educators.