An early childhood group at Kamsack has received funding from Affinity Credit Union.
Bryan Cottenie, who is a district delegate for Affinity Credit Union, presented a cheque from the Community Development Fund of $1,500 to the Victoria School Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Family Events Group during the group’s bake night on November 30.
“This money will go towards funding the family events,” said a release from the group. “Our family events alternate between Friday mornings and Wednesday evenings. We host one for every month of the school year, which is 10 in total.
“At these events we offer at no cost to families: transportation to and from the event, if required; a full meal, and a variety of activities,” the release said. “The events are held in different facilities around town.
“In September, we hosted a welcome back barbecue supper with activities in the school gym and classrooms. In October, we hosted a Halloween carnival at the OCC Hall with Grade 8 students volunteering to run the activity stations. In November we hosted a family bake and craft night at the Kamsack Comprehensive Institute, using the school’s home economics lab, art room and classrooms, for a soup-and-bun supper.
“Family involvement is considered a key component to our early years programs, as research has shown that when families are involved with their children's education from a young age, they are more likely to stay involved throughout their school years, contributing to school success for kids.
“These events not only get parents into our school and comfortable with the staff, they also give them ideas of activities they can do with their children at home,” it said. “We also try to use a variety of facilities and facilitators in the area to encourage and expose families to different options that are available to them in our community and area.
“This year we have partnered with the family resource centre, inviting the people who attend the centre and their families to join us for these events,” it said. “All of our events focus on a healthy lifestyle, including healthy meal choices, physical activity, literacy, skill development and healthy relationships.
“With significant cuts to our school division-based budget this year, these types of program offerings would not be sustainable without donations from outside partners,” it said, adding that the group is grateful to the Affinity Credit Union for its support and acknowledged Amanda Burback who has made a personal donation for $50 for each month that an event is organized.
Future events that have been planned to date include: a skate-and-crafts time with Santa with lunch provided at the Broda Sportsplex in December; a physical activity and arts night involving community members as facilitators at Victoria School in January; a family swim day at the Swan River Pool in February, and a Victoria School garden bee and outside activities in June.
There will also be events in March and April, but those activities are still to be determined, the release said, adding that the group would enjoy hearing from community members interested in volunteering their time or supporting these events in other ways.
“We appreciate the families from our programs that take the time out of their busy schedules to participate in these events with their children,” it said.
Adult members of the group include: Chantel Kitchen and Heather Netzel, pre-Kindergarten teachers; Kelly Lambert, a Kindergarten teacher, and Kyla Mines and Theresa Puk, pre-Kindergarten associates.
