Uncategorized
Morningstar aims to improve kindergarten readiness
Published
10 years agoon
By Maria Wyllie
Explore Big Sky Associate Editor
BIG SKY – Morningstar Learning Center is leading a community effort to advance early childhood education in Big Sky.
Through a new program called “Basecamp to Kindergarten,” the initiative aims to improve readiness for kindergarten in order to create a better educational experience in elementary school and beyond.
“Equally important is our goal to bring together all of the different organizations in Big Sky that strive to help children and families,” wrote Jennifer O’Connor, Morningstar’s Development Director in an email. “That [way] we can pool our resources and our efforts to achieve the best possible beginnings for our students.”
Other organizations working in partnership with Morningstar include the Ophir School and Big Sky School District, Bozeman-based THRIVE, Big Sky Community Library, Women In Action, Camp Big Sky and the Yellowstone Community Club Foundation.
Expenses for the first year of the program are expected to run about $11,000 due to high set-up costs, but future years will be significantly less, O’Connor said.
Morningstar was awarded an $8,000 grant from YCCF the first week in June, and is still seeking additional funding from resort tax and the community to complete the program, which consists of three parts.
The first component includes a community newsletter called the Morningstar Messenger, which will provide information about local resources and events for families with children under the age of six.
The second is a series of five community learning sessions covering various topics to help parents navigate early childhood development and education. The first class was held May 19 at Morningstar and funded by the center and Buck’s T-4, with 26 parents and 27 kids in attendance, according to O’Connor.
“We couldn’t be happier with the turnout and are off to a fabulous start,” she said. The next community session is June 23 at Morningstar and will address ways to help students be prepared developmentally, socially and emotionally.
Big Sky School District Supt. Jerry House attended the May 19 session. “[It] was absolutely fantastic,” he said. “It was an informational meeting setting the foundation for a lot of work to come.”
House also noted that Gov. Bullock is a proponent of early education. The governor plans to unveil the details of a universal pre-k program in Montana before the 2015 Legislature.
The third aspect of the Basecamp to Kindergarten program will involve resource packets providing educational activities for children and guides for parents, which will be available for check out at both Morningstar and the community library.
Only half of students entering kindergarten in Big Sky currently meet the expectations for new kindergarteners generated by Ophir and Morningstar teachers this year. Basecamp for Kindergarten aims to increase that 10 percent by August, and 25 percent by August 2015.
Although Morningstar is spearheading the program, O’Connor emphasized the program is intended to help all Big Sky children – not just those attending Morningstar – so that every kid is on the same page when they enter kindergarten.
“The sooner we can start, the better,” House said. “The opportunity is here, and we need to capitalize on it.”
For more information visit morningstarlearningcenter.com, or email Jennifer O’Connor at developmlc@gmail.com.
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
more
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
Time
15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
Location
Verge Theater
Event Details
Area parents are encouraged to bring their young children to Symphony Storytime with a Bassoon which will be presented at the Bozeman Public Library’s Community Room during
more
Event Details
Area parents are encouraged to bring their young children to Symphony Storytime with a Bassoon which will be presented at the Bozeman Public Library’s Community Room during their regular Toddler and Preschool Storytime on Wednesday, March 20, at 10:15 a.m. The free program, presented by the Bozeman Symphony is especially for children ages 3 to 5. Children will be able to listen to Montana Shakespeare in the Parks actor Emma Rather, who will be joined by Bozeman Symphony Bassoonist Sam Macken. The goal of the program is to encourage a love of music, literacy, and discovery. Additional programs are scheduled at the Library on April 10 and June 12. For more information, visit www.bozemansymphony.org or call 406-585-9774.
Time
(Wednesday) 10:15 am - 10:45 am
Location
Bozeman Public Library
626 E. Main St, Bozeman, MT