The Raccoons Strong Start Early Learning Program, sponsored by School District 73, is being held at Vavenby Elementary on Wednesdays from 8:50 - 11:50 a.m. The idea of this free program is, “To provide a rich environment to stimulate children, encourage a love of learning and a joy of reading, and to provide a welcome and warm meeting place for moms, dads, and caregivers.” The program is for all children under five and their parent or caregiver. Amy MacLeod, who has been a young child educator for 30 years in many different settings, leads it.
When the children first arrive they can go to any of the stations - the colorful mats with numbers and letters on them, plastic fruit and vegetables, a table called practical life which has water and plasticine, a kitchen center, and a painting table. At 10:05 the children clean up and wash their hands. MacLeod said that there is a lot of washing of hands. There is a step in front of the sink so that these small children can reach the taps.
After cleaning up a healthy snack is provided. The snack consists of cheese, apple slices, crackers, and water. There is coffee and tea for the adults. After snack time books are read, songs sung, and a story with Rascal Raccoon. Every other Wednesday the Mother Goose program will be doing story time.
Following the stories the children do a craft and floor games. Then everyone goes outside to play or into the gym.
Eleven children and five moms came to participate on Sept. 28. All the children had a great time and the moms visited with each other.
This Wednesday, Oct. 5, the children will make teddy bear blankets to the themes of The Teddy Bears’ Picnic and hibernation. The children will take their blankets home with them.
Time for crib and darts
Crib and darts are starting again. Crib, which is held every Tuesday, starts Oct. 4 and darts, which is on every Thursday, begins on Oct. 6. Both cost $3 weekly and begin at 7:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome, even those who don’t know how to play darts. It’s not hard to learn and both are great social times. Come out just for the coffee and pop that is available and visit with everyone.
Damage to thrift store
Someone has stolen all of the screens from the windows of the Fine Things Thrift Store. The store would appreciate their return.