February 6, 2002
'Way to Grow' program cultivates young minds
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Stir more than 1000 kids and their parents into an afternoon of entertainment and hands-on activities. Fold in free food and a variety of take-home crafts and you have a recipe for FUN.
West Junior High was the site Saturday of the Way to Grow program's open house, a formal celebratory kick off of the school readiness program that debuted throughout the Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District this fall. Saturday's festivities were hosted by the 18 elementary schools in the Traverse City Area Public School District.
The school's small cafeteria and gym were packed with workstations filled with crafts, games, books and hands-on educational activities that corresponded with the event's theme of A Way to Grow in Every Season. From smearing shaving cream to making a winter bird feeder to frying pretend bugs over a pretend campfire, there was no shortage of enthusiasm among attendees of all ages.
"We heard about this from a neighbor and thought this sounded like a fun winter thing to do," said Doug Bixby of Traverse City, who attended the kick off with his daughters Emma, 5, and Ashlee, 2. "We're here to have fun and play and we really liked the juggling."
The purpose of the event was to get the word out about the new Way to Grow program. Geared to children ages birth through five, the program's goal is to help prepare children for school at a time when they are primed to learn. Combining schools and parents, plus a variety of community partners, in this effort is a natural.
"It's wonderful, making that connection between families and schools in those ages from birth to five, helping kids get ready for school," said Sue Zell, Early Childhood Supervisor for the Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District. "All the brain research has supported it for years but finally the time has come that the public sector and the schools are recognizing it. Now, every day at some school, there's something going on."
Holly and Kelly Locke attended the Way to Grow Open House Saturday to discover what was going on at their local school, Blair Elementary School. They are looking for ways to help their younger daughter, Emily, 2, gain social skills.
"Her sister, Allison, is eight and so I think this program would be a chance for Emily to socialize with other children her age," Holly Locke said. "Her sister is away all day at school and it would give Emily some socialization during the day."
A $3.5 million grant from the Michigan Department of Education funded the program, which began this school year. Eighteen school readiness coordinators coordinate the program, one based at each TCAPS district elementary school.
These coordinators are charged with providing family friendly programs to the families in their community, making school a hub of learning for all ages. Each school readiness coordinator chooses which programs to offer to the families enrolled in their program, based on their needs and requests. Sometimes schools will combine forces to offer programs such as parenting classes or other evening events.
"We really are reaching a lot of families and are really excited about that," said Kelly BeVier, the school readiness coordinator at Cherry Knoll Elementary School, who currently has 33 families enrolled in the program. "This month, we are offering a kindergarten experience for children attending kindergarten this fall. This will get them into the classroom so they can meet their teacher and do some of the activities they will be doing. There will be Valentine's Day fun later this month and a Kid's in Motion program in the gym."