Dawn DiStefano (left) and Harry Dumay (right) officially sign a memorandum of understanding between Square One and Elms College.
Reminder Publishing photos by Tyler Garnet
CHICOPEE — On Sept. 17, Elms College in Chicopee and Square One in Springfield signed a memorandum of understanding that establishes a collaborative partnership between the two organizations.
The goal of the MOU is to enhance the educational experiences of Elms College students and support the professional development of Square One employees.
Square One provides a range of family-friendly education and support services that are unique to each child and every family served. Its focus is on providing opportunities for children and families to build the foundation for lifelong learning, to make smart choices and to grow strong cognitively, emotionally, socially and physically.
Education Division Chair at Elms College Andrea Hickson-Martin is also a member of the Board of Directors at Square One. She talked about the importance of this partnership.
She said, “Today marks the beginning of an excellent opportunity and exciting opportunity that will be a beneficial collaboration that will enhance the education experiences of children, families and our students at the Elms. This partnership isn’t just an agreement on paper, it is a dynamic and living collaboration that will bring enormous benefits to both of our organizations.”
With this memorandum of understanding, Elms students in the Early Childhood Education program will gain valuable fieldwork experience and conduct teaching labs at Square One as part of their curriculum.
Elms College President Harry Dumay talked more about the collaboration with Square One and the opportunities Elms College students will be able to gain.
He said, “We know that and we are absolutely certain that this is the beginning of a long friendship which will be beneficial for both Elms College, our faculty and students, and for Square One and all of their employees. By performing fieldwork at Square One, our students will get real world experience that will expand upon their learning in the classroom. By having access to Square One, as really a living lab and classroom, our faculty will get more practicum knowledge of early education and be able to incorporate it into their course curriculum.”
Employees of Square One will be able to pursue professional development offerings and take courses at Elms.
Dumay explained, “Square One teachers and employees can look to Elms College for affordable, professional development opportunities that will help them in their careers and that will benefit their students. You often hear that solutions are win, win. This is truly a win, win, win partnership.”
Square One President and CEO Dawn DiStefano expressed her excitement for the partnership.
She said, “For over 100 years, Elms College and Square One have been our community. We all [recognize] the importance of early learning for young children, early investments into observable and measurable achievements in social emotional skill development and academic outcomes in language and literacy. Long term efforts in early learning result in strong relationships, productive learning and options for future career paths. All of these outcomes connect to stable and self-sufficient families that make up thriving communities. Square One is excited for all of the potential learning and development that will come from students and staff working together, exploring together an engaging together,”
The Memorandum of Understanding commenced on Sept. 17 after it is signed and will remain in effect for three years, but many speakers said this is just the beginning.
Academic Affairs Vice President at Elms College Joyce Hampton talked about the process about making this partnership official after months of talk between the two organizations.
She further explained, “Today really lays the groundwork for us to be thinking innovatively about how we can work together and yes, beginning in education but not ending there and to impact the trajectories of the children in our community. I want us to think about, do you remember today? Do you remember being together in this room and thinking together about what might be possible so I’m excited and let’s get started.”
