SEQUIM — First Teacher — Sequim’s activity and education program for toddlers, babies and their parents — plans a variety of events to finish off the school year.
Among the events planned is a third brainstorming session for parents and other supporters at 9 a.m. June 15. The hourlong meeting will be in First Teacher’s library, in the west wing of the Sequim Community School, 220 W. Alder St.
On chopping block
The Sequim School District is considering eliminating its annual $42,000 for First Teacher in the 2009-21010 budget, which will be adopted Aug. 20.
The district must slash nearly $1.4 million from its budget before school starts in September.
First Teacher founder Cynthia Martin and its sole staffer in Sequim, Patsene Dashiell, invited parents to two brainstorming sessions earlier this month.
Among the ideas that developed: Martin has planned a banquet at the Sequim Boys & Girls Club on Aug. 22 with a guest speaker, Bette Hyde, a former special education teacher recently tapped by Gov. Chris Gregoire to head the state Department of Early Learning.
She is seeking sponsors for the event.
Resource center
The parenting library and children’s playroom is open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays in the west wing of the Sequim Community School.
In addition to the funding brainstorming session, the following events are scheduled:
• Reading time with guest reader and kindergarten teacher Kate Sullivan, 10 a.m. today.
• Reading time with guest reader and retired college professor Don Wilkin; after the children’s story time, Wilkin will talk about sustainable living and looking toward the future, 10 a.m. Wednesday.
• Library and playroom drop-in time, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday.
• Teddy bear picnic: Bring a sack lunch, a blanket to sit on and favorite teddy bears or other stuffed animals; the Happy Tymer clowns will be on hand and cake will be served, 10 a.m. Friday.
• Reading time with Tina Gruendell from the Learning Tree Child Development Center, 10 a.m. June 15.
• The last drop-in time and the last day the First Teacher rooms will be open this school year will be from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 17. Parents are urged to return all borrowed books and videos to the First Teacher library by this date.
• Block Fest, an activity for parents and children 8 months to 8 years of age, comes to the Sequim Community School on June 20.
During the free sessions at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., youngsters will play with big, little, wooden, foam, cardboard and other kinds of blocks, all the while building their math, science and literacy skills.
Since space is limited, parents are asked to phone Dashiell at 360-582-3428 or the Parenting Matters Foundation at 360-681-2250.
