NITIATIVE PROMOTES SAFETY, OUTDOOR EDUCATION AT CHILD CARES/PRESCHOOLS

Initiatives at 11 Scott County child care centers and preschools, funded with more than $200,000 in funds from Scott County Kids, have created safer and environmentally educational spaces for hundreds of young children.

The awards, which ranged from $2,996 to $40,000 each, were contracted to child cares and preschools throughout the county last fall. Work is now complete.

"These funds provide these quality centers an opportunity to make their outdoor spaces safer, while inviting and encouraging children into learning more about the environment around them," said Marcy Mendenhall, executive director of Scott County Kids.

One of Scott County Kids' goals is to provide environments that enable children to be physically healthy, intellectually curious, emotionally sound and socially competent. This initiative's goal was to increase the quality of outdoor play environments at state-licensed child care centers and preschools.

Through the application process, a child care nurse consultant (also funded by Scott County Kids) offered guidance to help centers determine the best courses of action that would provide a good experience for children and improve quality, Mendenhall said.

At Our Savior Lutheran Preschool in Bettendorf, the $26,723 project involved the installation of a climber tunnel and a sand and water table, as well as an expansion of the playground space. It also paid for learning tools such as musical instruments and arts and crafts items. Volunteers helped with additional funding and elbow grease.

Lisa Piotter, the director of the preschool, said the new equipment will help ensure that Our Savior will be able to maintain its high state ranking.

With the equipment and work provided with the funding, a few of the centers are exploring Nature Explore Classroom status from the Arbor Day Foundation, including Calvary Preschool in Walcott. The initiative recognizes schools and other organizations that make a commitment to providing outdoor classrooms and comprehensive programming to help children use the natural world as an integral part of learning.

Calvary partners with its church to provide an outdoor play space in a garden area, and have a commitment to showing that the preschool "cares and appreciates the beautiful setting we have been given."

"Besides getting necessary fresh air and sunshine, the children will also benefit from exploring nature and watching seeds grow and mature," Calvary said in its application, specifically mentioning "opportunities to dig for worms, roll in freshly mowed grass and smell flowers that just opened."

For licensed centers interested in learning about the potential for funding in the fiscal year beginning July 1, contact Diane Martens at Scott County Kids at (563) 326-8221 or diane.martens@scottcountyiowa.com.

Funding awarded by Scott County Kids

Calvary Preschool, Walcott, $4,653 for mini-bricks, a storage bench, rain gauge, interlocking blocks superset, glockenspiel and aqua blocks

Children's Garden Preschool, Davenport, $15,044 for a custom play structure, fall zone materials, fencing

Scott County Family Y - Bettendorf, $2,996 for supplemental learning tools, including musical instruments

Skip-A-Long, Davenport, $15,752 for outside play structures

Head Start at Fillmore, Davenport, $9,235 for safety requirements, including a fence, fall zone, removal of an unsafe play structure

Our Savior Lutheran Preschool, Bettendorf, $26,723 for outside play structures, including a climber tunnel, sand and water table, and supplemental learning tools, including musical instruments, arts and crafts items

St. Alphonsus Early Childhood Education Center, Davenport, $16,595 for outside play structures, including a playhouse and bridge

Head Start - North Scott, Eldridge, $18,026 for outdoor play structures, including a playhouse and safety requirements, including fall zone turf

Scott County Family Y - Palmer, Davenport, $40,000 for supplemental learning tools, including an art easel and musical instruments, and outside play structures including an activity center and playhouse

Positive Parenting at Trinity, Davenport, $40,000 for supplemental learning tools, including musical instruments and building bricks, and outside play structures, including a balance beam

Scott County Family Y - Downtown Learning Center, Davenport, $21,929 for outside play structures, including a playhouse and bridge, and supplemental learning tools, including musical instruments and an activity center

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The aspiring artist.  The math whiz.  The avid reader.  The athletic go-getter.  Each child is different, with their own special talents, interests, developmental patterns, and emotional needs.  This is a key consideration when selecting a school for your child.  An environment that is right for one student may not be the best choice for another.  Fortunately, in the Quad Cities, we have educational options!  When exploring schools for your child, it is important to consider:

·         Is the curriculum appropriate for my child's talents and goals?

·         Will the school challenge my child, without overwhelming them?

·         Will my child be comfortable in the school's environment?  Will I?

·         Are the opportunities for my child to pursue individual interests?  And is there encouragement to do so?

At Rivermont Collegiate, intellectual curiosity isn't just encouraged or "taught" - but "caught."  Students' personal interests are fostered and rewarded, both by their peers and by faculty.  Faculty don't teach to a class average, but tailor curriculum, homework, and projects to each student.  Rivermont is small by design, with a 9:1 student-to-teacher ratio, ensuring not only individualized attention, but a close teacher-student relationship and a family-like school environment.

The selection of a school for your child shouldn't be taken lightly.  It is quite possibly the most important decision you can make for their future.  Study your options!  Send for information, tour schools, observe in classrooms, let your son or daughter experience a day in class, and talk with administrators, faculty, and current parents.  What are you waiting for?  Explore what Rivermont has to offer!  Drop in for:

Rivermont Collegiate Open Tours

Tuesday, October 4th - 8:30-10:00 a.m.

No appointment necessary!

This casual event gives families the opportunity to tour campus and explore our philosophy and programs.

Rivermont Collegiate, located in Bettendorf, is the Quad Cities' only private, independent, multicultural college preparatory school for students in preschool through twelfth grade.  Rivermont is located at 1821 Sunset Drive, directly off 18th Street behind K&K Hardware in Bettendorf.

Visit us online at www.rvmt.org!  For additional information on Rivermont or Tuesday's Open Tours, contact Brittany Marietta at (563) 359-1366 ext. 302 or marietta@rvmt.org.

Singer-songwriter Darden Smith will be a featured guest in the Quad Cities during a three-day event with the Rock Island Arsenal chapter of the Association of the U.S. Army October 18-20. The event will include a visit to the Rock Island Arsenal Youth Center on both October 18 and 19 where 20 military youth will engage in Smith's established "Be An Artist Program," aiming to encourage creativity through personalized, innovative songwriting sessions. Three 50-minute sessions will bring together students in grades 4, 5 and 6.

The finale fundraiser concert will begin at 7 p.m. at the Adler Theatre, 136 E. Third Street, on Thursday, October 20. All proceeds will benefit soldier support programs funded through AUSA, the voice of the U.S. Army on Capitol Hill and at the grassroots level. The organization's role as a conduit in aligning resources and needs for soldiers and their families continues to benefit servicemen and women nationwide.