Thank you to Discount School Supply (@discountschoolsupply) for being a Platinum Sponsor for the 2025 Smart Start Conference! With a deep commitment to early learning, they provide affordable, high-quality materials that support whole-child development and strong family partnerships in Pre-K classrooms. 𝗗𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆, Building Connections: Engaging Pre-K Learners and Their Families for Whole-Child Success, from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Early childhood educator Samantha Black will share practical tools and strategies for classroom management, social-emotional growth, and meaningful family engagement. Join via Zoom: https://smartstart.zoom.us/j/88314321276?pwd=Cfl3FZVrD4uoWiZFByOHAum9qa4KhH.1 Meeting ID: 883 1432 1276 Every sponsor helps create a space for early childhood professionals to come together to build a stronger early childhood system - one connection, one learning moment, and one block at a time. Smart Start is grateful for their support of the early childhood community! (fb)

Thank you to the North Carolina Education Lottery for serving as a Platinum Sponsor for our 2025 Smart Start Conference! 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆, Moving NC Students Forward with Free Pre-K, from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Join via Zoom: https://smartstart.zoom.us/j/88314321276?pwd=Cfl3FZVrD4uoWiZFByOHAum9qa4KhH.1 Meeting ID: 883 1432 1276 Passcode: 081469 “Being ready to learn helps kids get the most out of school. The N.C. Pre-K program serves four-year-old children who are at risk of falling behind their peers as they prepare for kindergarten. Thanks to lottery funds, 11,768 children across the state received a free, academic pre-school experience last year. Every dollar raised represents a story; a story of access, opportunity, and inspiration for each student to be the best they can be. See how lottery dollars helps move our students forward. https://movingncstudentsforward.com/” (fb)