WSU offering reading programs for kids this summer in Yakima

If you are a parent looking to balance your child’s carefree summer months with something worthwhile and educational, then Washington State University has something for you.

True, your little tykes may be too young to enter college, but they may certainly be ready for more reading practice.

WSU’s Global Campus will offer beginning reading programs this summer in Yakima. The programs are designed and taught by instructors from the WSU’s Institute of Reading Development and emphasize alphabet skills, reading readiness, phonics, comprehension and love of reading.

Five programs will be offered at St. Joseph/Marquette Catholic School, 202 N. 4^th St. in Yakima. Here is the schedule and breakdown by grade:

• Program R: 10-11:15 a.m. Sundays, June 23-July 21. For 4-year-olds and entering kindergartners. Children must be 4 by start of program.
• Program 1: 12-2 p.m. Sundays, June 23-July 21. For entering 1^st graders.
• Program 2: 9-11 a.m. Tuesdays, June 25-July 23. For entering 2^nd graders.
• Program 3: 11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Tuesdays, June 25-July 23. For entering 3^rd graders.
• Program 4: 2:45-5 p.m. Sundays, June 23-July 21. For entering 4^th and 5^th graders.

The cost of tuition and materials differs per grade level, and some may be eligible for a family discount. Other programs for middle school and high school students and adults are also available at various locations.

You can call 800-978-3532 to register or get more information, 5 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, or 5 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Those interested are encouraged to inquire early, as class size is limited.

School Directory: 2013 Edition

Here is a handy guide to local preschools, Kindergarten programs and other resources. Registration is now open for most of the schools listed here. Be sure to contact each school for other possible fees, including application, snack and supply fees, that may be added to the tuition total. Check also for possible discounts and scholarships, if applicable.

CHURCH-AFFILIATED SCHOOLS

Agapeland Preschool & Kindergarten | Preschool & Kindergarten, ages 3-5. Located at Selah Covenant Church, 560 McGonagle Road, Selah; call 509-457-4648 or 509-697-6116 or visit selahcov.com. Three-year-old class meets 9-11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, $78 monthly. Four-year-old class meets 9-11:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, $110 monthly. Pre-K (Barely 5s) class meets 12:20-2:50 p.m. Monday through Thursday, $127 monthly. Kindergarten class meets 9 a.m.-noon Monday through Friday, $175 monthly (for 10 months).

Calvary Lutheran Preschool | Preschool only, ages 3-4. Located at Calvary Lutheran Church, 11th and Harrison, Sunnyside; call 509-837-6771 or visit calvarylcs.com. Three-year-old class meets 12:30-2:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, September through December and 12:30-3 p.m. January through May. Four-year-olds have two options: three-day class meets 9-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; five-day class meets 9-11:30 a.m. Monday-Friday. Call for tuition rates.

First Presbyterian Church Preschool | Preschool, ages 3-5. Located at First Presbyterian Church, 9 S. Eighth Ave., Yakima; call 509-248-7940 or visit firstpresyakima.com. Three-year-old class meets 9-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, $95 monthly, with a one-time $35 snack fee. Four-year-old class meets 9-11:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, $125 monthly, with one-time $45 snack fee. Pre-kindergarten class meets 9-11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday, $150 monthly, with one-time $55 snack fee. Your child must be 3 or 4 by Sept. 1 for the respective classes, and 5 by Dec. 31 for the pre-Kindergarten class.

Grace Lutheran School | Classes through grade 8. Located at Grace Lutheran Church, 1207 S. Seventh Ave., Yakima; call 509-594-0715 or visit gracelutheranyakima.org. Two-day preschool (age 3), 8:30-11:30 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, $89 monthly. Three-day preschool (age 4), 8:30-11:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, $119 monthly. Kindergarten (age 5), 8:30 a.m.-noon Monday-Friday, $161 monthly. Call to arrange a tour.

Mt. Olive Lutheran Preschool | Preschool & Kindergarten, ages 3-5. Located at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 7809 Tieton Drive, Yakima; call Molly at 509-966-2190 or visit mtoliveyakima.org. Three-year-olds, 9-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, $85 monthly; 9-11:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, $120 monthly. Four-year-olds, 9 a.m.-12 noon or 12:30-3:15 p.m. Mondays, $135 monthly; 9 a.m.-12 noon Monday-Friday, $185 monthly. Four-/five-year-old blend, 12:30-3:15 p.m. Monday-Friday, $185 monthly. Kinder Class (5 years before Dec. 1), 12:15-3:15 p.m. Monday-Friday, $195 monthly. Sonshine Child Care also housed on site for additional day care services, with extra cost.

Redeemer Lutheran Preschool | Preschool only, ages 3-4. Located at Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church and Preschool, 10203 W. Tieton Drive, Yakima; call 509-480-2967or visit www.redeemeryakima.org/#/preschool. Three-year-olds, 8:45-11:15 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, $80 monthly. Four-year-olds, 8:45-11:15 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, $110 monthly.

Riverside Christian School & Kindergarten | Classes through grade 12. Located at 721 Keys Road, Yakima; call 509-965-2602 or visit riversidechristianschool.com. Preschool: 8:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, or 8:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. Pre-Kindergarten: 8:30-11:30 a.m. Monday-Friday, or 12-3 p.m. Monday-Friday. Kindergarten: 8:30-11:30, or 12-3 p.m., Monday-Friday. Call for 2013-14 tuition rates.

St. John of Kronstadt Orthodox Christian School | Kindergarten through grade 8. Location: 706 Steward Street, Yakima; call 509-452-0177 or visit stjohnkronstadt.org. Call for tuition rates.

St. Joseph/Marquette Catholic School | Classes through grade 8. Located at 202 N. Fourth St., Yakima; call Vicki Balmer at 509-575-5557 to schedule a tour or visit sjmms.org. Pre-kindergarten students must be 4 years old by Aug. 31. Program hours are 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., Monday through Friday; call for tuition information. Hot lunch program and after-school care from 3:00 to 6:15 p.m.

St. Paul Cathedral School | Classes through grade 8. Location: 1214 W. Chestnut Ave., Yakima; call 509-575-5604 or visit yakimadiocese.org.
Stone Church | Preschool, ages 3-5. Location: 3303 Englewood Ave., Yakima; 509-575-3720. Weekly programs range from two to five days a week, with half-day morning classes. School launches this September. Call for more info or to arrange a visit.

Wesley Preschool | Preschool only, ages 3-4, plus 4×4 class. Located at Wesley United Methodist Church, 14 N. 48th Ave., Yakima; call 509-966-2370 or visit wesleyofyakima.org. Three-year-olds, 9-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, $90 monthly, or 9-11:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, $110 monthly. Four-year-olds, 9-11:30 a.m. or 12:30-3 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, $110 monthly. Pre-K 4×4 class, 9-11:30 a.m. Tuesday-Friday, $140 monthly.

Westpark Christian Academy | Classes through grade 12. Location: 3902 Summitview Ave., Yakima; call 509-966-1632 or visit westparkchristianacademy.com. Preschool: Two-day and three-day options. Kindergarten: Full day, Monday-Friday. Call for 2013-14 tuition rates.

Wonderland Preschool | Preschool only, ages 3-5. Located at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 6015 Summitview Ave., Yakima; call 509-966-1900 or visit westpress.org. Three-year-old class meets 9-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, $90 monthly, or 9-11:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, $100 monthly. Four-year-old class meets 9-11:30 a.m. Monday-Thursday, $125 monthly. Afternoon Pre-Kinder class meets 12:30-3:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, $135 monthly. Kinder Bridge meets 12:30-3:35 p.m. Monday-Friday, $160 monthly.

Yakima Adventist Christian School | Kindergarten through grade 10. Location: 1200 City Reservoir Road, Yakima; call 509-966-1933 or visit yacsschool.org. Call for tuition rates.

MONTESSORI

Montessori School of Yakima | Preschool (3 years) & Kindergarten, through grade 3. Located at Engelwood Christian Church, 511 N. 44th Ave., Yakima; call 509-966-0680 or visit msofy.org.

Oakridge Montessori School | Preschool (18 months) & Kindergarten, through grade 8. Located at 6403 Summitview Ave., Yakima; call 509-966-1080 or visit oakridgemontessorischool.com.

PARENT COOPERATIVES

Central Lutheran Preschool | Ages 18 months-5 years. Located at Central Lutheran Church, 1604 W. Yakima Ave., Yakima; call teacher Annette Courcy at 509-307-6272 or visit clpreschool.com. Toddler program (ages 18-36 months) meets Monday mornings; parent participation required each session. Preschoolers (ages 3-5) meets Tuesday through Friday mornings; students may attend two, three or four days a week; parents required to volunteer at least three days a month. Preschool is friendly to children with food allergies. Call for tuition rates.

Children’s Center Preschool | Ages 18 months-5 years. Located at Zillah Church of the Nazarene, 203 Miles Drive, Zillah; call coordinator Nancy Sealock at 509-829-6165 or visit ccpzillah.weebly.com. Junior Explorers (18 months-3 years), 9-11 a.m. or 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Mondays, $45 monthly. Preschool (3-5 years), 8:30-11 a.m. or 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, $75 monthly (working families), or $100 nonworking families.

Learning Together Preschool | Ages 3-5. Located at Summit View Church of Christ, 100 N. 72nd Ave., Yakima; call 509-966-0733 or email ltkids@hotmail.com. Meets 9-11:30 a.m. Monday-Thursday; three-day option, $75 monthly, or four-day option, $85 monthly. Summer program is also available.

PRIVATE PRESCHOOLS

Gymnastics Plus Preschool | Located at Gymnastics Plus, 2121 West Lincoln Ave., Yakima; call 509-453-8126 or visit gymnasticsplus.net.

Kid’s Club | Located at 607 S. 36th Ave., Yakima; call 509-469-5437 or visit thelearningtree-uniongap.com.

Melody Lane Preschool | Ages 3-5. Located at 1610 S. 24th Ave., Yakima; call 509-248-9623 or visit melodylaneacademy.com. Three- to four-year olds: 9-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, $115 monthly, or 9-11:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, $165 monthly. Four- to five-year-olds, 12:30-3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, $115 monthly, or 12:30-3 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, $165 monthly.

Selah GymKids Academic Preschool | Located at Selah GymKids, 709 North Park Centre, Selah; call 509-698-5437 or visit selahgymkids.com. Preschool class, ages 3-4, meets 9 a.m.-12 noon, Tuesdays and Thursdays, $130 per four weeks. Pre-kindergarten class, ages 4-5, meets 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 9 a.m. to noon Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, $165 per four weeks. All-day child care available, ages 3-5; transportation and before/after-school care for older children.

SPECIAL NEEDS

Children’s Village Collaborative Lab Classroom | Located at Children’s Village, 3801 Kern Road, Yakima; call 509-574-3260 or visit yakimachildrensvillage.org. Serves children ages 30-58 months with social, emotional, communication and behavioral needs.

Special Education Preschool. Located at the Special Services department in the West Valley School District, 1000 S. 72nd Ave., Yakima; call 509-965-2080 or visit wvsd208.org/ss/Preschoolcontacts.htm. Serves preschool children who may have delays in communication, language, motor skills, cognition, social interaction, and adaptive and self-help areas.
VIP Academy | Located at Catholic Family & Child Service, 5301 Tieton Drive, Suite C, Yakima; call 509-965-7100 or visit cfcsyakima.org. Pre-kindergarten program for children who need extra help with behavior and social-emotional skills.

CHILD CARE CENTERS

Working parents may want to consider a child development center that offers preschool curriculum in an all-day child care setting.

Carroll Children’s Center | Located at Catholic Family & Child Service, 5301 Tieton Drive, Suite C, Yakima; call 509-965-7104 or visit cfcsyakima.org.

Country Kids Child Development Center | Two locations: 641 N. Keys Road, Terrace Heights, call 509-453-8688; or 909 N. 21st Ave., Yakima, call 509-453-4462.

Kindercare Learning Center | Located at 5110 Summitview Ave., Yakima; call 509-966-8557 or visit kindercare.com.

YMCA Jewett Center | Located at 212 E. F St., Yakima; call 509-453-7897 or visit yakimaymca.org.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

East Valley School District | Full-day kindergarten. Registration at East Valley (509-573-7600), Terrace Heights (509-573-7800) and Moxee (509-573-7700) elementary schools will begin the week of March 21. To determine your school boundary, call the district office at 509-573-7300.

Naches School District | Full-day kindergarten. Naches Valley Primary School offers grades K-2. For more information, call 509-966-5050 or 509-966-7550 for Naches Valley Primary School, or 509-457-8592 or 509-653-2220 to reach the school district.

Selah School District | Half-day kindergarten. Parents may request enrollment at either John Campbell or Robert Lince elementary schools. For more information, call 509-697-0706.

Union Gap School District | Full-day kindergarten. For more information, call 509-248-3966.

West Valley School District | Full-day kindergarten. To determine your school boundary, call the district’s transportation department at 509-966-2403.

Yakima School District | Full-day kindergarten. Students are required to attend their boundary school; to determine which boundary you live in, call Central Registration at 509-573-7024 or see the map at yakimaschools.org.

Don’t miss the point: Immunize

Don’t Miss the Point: Immunizations

By Dr. David Pommer

There remain many misperceptions about the benefits of immunizations. As a physician, I take responsibility for informing parents and patients on the importance of this public health defense. And as kids head back to school, I believe this is a good opportunity to readdress immunizations and dispel some of the more common myths.

In medicine, there have been few triumphs as great as immunizations. We have not conquered cancer or vanquished diabetes or obesity. But we do have fewer infections. How often do we see children suffering from polio, measles or meningitis — diseases that were commonplace and deadly for much of the 20^th century?

Fortunately, we witness these diseases rather infrequently. However, that trend is slowly changing in areas where fewer kids are immunized.

Here is some interesting data from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (vaccine.chop.edu) about infectious disease in the 1900’s prior to vaccines being widely available. In one year, one could expect:

• Polio to paralyze 10,000 kids
• Measles to take the life of 3,000 children
• Haemophilus to cause 15,000 cases of meningitis — resulting in permanent brain damage for many.

We tend to have a short-term memory about the devastating effects of vaccine-preventable illnesses.

More recently, we have been bombarded with articles and studies trying to link vaccinations with various childhood diseases and disorders — most commonly, autism. In fact, a British journal recently retracted a study from the 1990’s that had fabricated data linking vaccination shots and autism. And what about mercury’s side effects on children? In vaccines, trace amounts of mercury had been used as a preservative. Today, mercury is used only in multi-dose flu shots and there have been more than six studies investigating mercury and autism, concluding that there is no evident link between the two. Vaccines and mercury do not cause autism.

There are also varying viewpoints on the best time to deliver immunizations. One viewpoint is that delaying shots may be better for a child’s immune system. In reality, infants are colonized with trillions of bacteria, and face more immunological challenges in their first week of life then they will from immunizations. Delaying immunization shots is not a recommended practice.

As a parent myself, I understand that many parents may view immunizations as a personal decision. It most certainly is. But the decision to skip or delay your child’s immunizations also affects our community and those around you too. As physicians, we refer to this as “herd immunity.” It is based on a form of immunity that occurs when the vaccination of a significant portion of a population (or herd) provides a measure of protection for individuals who have not yet developed immunity. I’ll provide a brief example to illustrate the importance of this concept:

On most days, my waiting room is filled with children of all ages. Some of those children may be too young to have received certain immunizations. When an older child who is behind or has skipped some immunizations comes into the room with pertussis or chicken pox, this could infect the younger kids (even if they weren’t licking the toys). In contrast, should most or all of the older children be up-to-date on their immunizations, the likelihood of the younger kids getting infected is diminished greatly.

I understand that this is a very short synopsis on immunizations, and I leave myself open to sharp and pointed attacks. But I am a promoter — or a booster if you will — of the immunization process.

Is your response, “ouch!”? If so, feel free to let me know if you see me in the clinic. Or email me at davidpommer@yvhm.org.

 

 

 

Back-to-School supplies

Back to School!

It’s back-to-school time, and since there are so many things to worry about, we’ve made a “to-do” list. Easy, peasy.

1) Backpack – You can get fancy with Barbie and Batman, or you can go more with a more traditional style, but these days your child can’t go without one!

2) Lunch Pack — For kids who are taking their lunch to class with them, an insulated lunch pack is a must. Check out this version from Arctic Zone. It helps separate cold food items from the others. Plus, it’s BPA-free. Find them at Walmart for $8.97 each.

3) Crocs. They’ll be warm enough in the fall and ready for wear again in the spring. Let’s croc-n-roll! Plus Payless Shoes usually offers a BOGO deal on them, too.

4) Clothes. Ah, school shopping. Having four seasons of weather is nice, but it can also make seasonal shopping spendier. Check with schools for dress codes so you don’t waste your time and money. (Outlet mall trip to North Bend, anyone?)

5) Organizers. Get binders, Pee Chees and pencil boxes for the kids. Parents, pick up a copy of the 2012-2013 August-to-August daily planner. Inklings Bookshop sells them for $16.95.

6) Medical emergency plan. For diabetes, food allergies, asthma and any number of other health concerns, it’s more important than ever to communicate with your school—and your school nurse. One crucial step is to have a medical emergency plan in place. Consider it an agreement with your school on the best course of action to take the best care of your child.

7) General school supplies. Pencils, paper, crayons, books! Nowadays, families have to supply more and more supplies for classroom use. Make sure to check with your child’s teacher for a full list of supplies and other requirements, including vaccinations. Most department stores have supply lists for each school, too.

Back to School Bullying

Bullying.

We’ve all heard the word tossed around — especially the last few years in national media. But learning what the term bullying actually means is a critical first step in understanding its pervasiveness — and doing something about it.

“Bullying is really any repeated kind of intentional behavior that’s hurtful or aggressive,” says Celisa Hopkins, Yakima/south central coordinator with the Youth Suicide Prevention Program in Washington. The organization started in 1995 and focuses on giving parents, educators, churches and families tools to help those at risk of depression and suicide.

Last year the state of Washington enacted an anti-bullying law that requires all school districts to adopt a policy addressing bullying and other harassment issues. This policy allows people to report cases of bullying anonymously, but even this step is just one link in a chain that requires more effort from the grassroots level on up.

“Education is a must on all levels,” says Hopkins. “The worst thing is for people to do nothing.”

That’s because, according to some anti-bullying advocates such as Yakima’s Maureen Mould, bullying has become an epidemic.

Mould, who has a BS in special education and an MS in therapeutic recreation, owns the nonprofit Kaleidoscope Konnections, which has been operating since 2004 in the Yakima area. Mould makes presentations to schools and groups by combining clown programs, music and magic tricks to deliver important messages to kids about bullying, among other things. While Mould works with kids in preschool through middle school, her primary work is with kids at the elementary level.

Both Hopkins and Mould agree that having sound anti-bullying policies in place is necessary, but only if everyone knows, understands and implements everything those policies state.

“Policies are great, but only as great as they’re used,” says Hopkins. “They’re not all that effective if people aren’t aware or use them.”

“School districts have policies, but nobody’s paying attention,” Mould agrees. Unfortunately, Mould adds, some schools are unable to respond to each child’s social and emotional needs. Mould wants to change that.

“A solid foundation in social and emotional development is a precursor in student success,” she says. “We’re seeing a rise in bullying instances. It’s OK to talk about feelings. We incorporate into our program what’s not covered in school.”

 

Since bullying is so prevalent and damaging, Hopkins says it’s important to determine how targets of bullying can be affected.

The latest Healthy Youth Survey, conducted every two years by Yakima County, tracks youth suicides in Yakima County from pre-teen to young adults. In 2010 there were 11 suicides between the ages 10-24, one in the 10-14 age category, and five each in the 15-19 and 20-24 age groups. Last year, a total of seven suicides were reported, including one 15-year-old, three 17-year-olds, one 19-year-old and two 21-year-olds.

The 2010 Healthy Youth Survey data for Yakima County contained questions about the mental and emotional health of each youth who responded to the survey. Thirty percent of 12^th grade students said they felt sad or hopeless in the previous year, while 34 percent of 8^th grade students and 35 percent of 10^th grade students affirmed this statement.

In the same survey, 18 percent of 12^th grade students checked that they have seriously considered suicide in the past 12 months. For the same question, 18.9 percent of 8^th grade students and 17.1 percent of 10^th grade students said they felt this way.

While it is difficult to tell if bullying is a direct reason for these results, it could be a factor. One study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines found that 30 percent of child suicides were directly linked to bullying.

According to “The 411 of Bullying,” a 2004 study conducted by The George Washington University, about one in six students in 6^th through 10^th grade reported they had been victims of bullying. Experts believe there are many others who have been bullied but have not spoken up. In the same study, researchers found that kids who are bullied are five times more likely to suffer from depression and consider suicide.

Many violent attacks such as school shootings are linked with the shooter having been bullied, according to “Bullying in Schools,” a report first issued by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2003 and updated this year.

“Bullying is one risk factor in suicide. It might be the last straw,” says Hopkins.

 

Bullying: Types and Causes

“Sometimes people are surprised by what constitutes bullying. Even teachers are surprised,” says Hopkins, especially if they revert to the traditional “kids will be kids” mentality. “This is something that teachers need to be monitoring or intervening in the halls and classrooms.”

Hopkins says bullying can be classified as direct, indirect or cyberbullying.

Direct bullying tends to be more physical and occurs more between males, and can include insults and taunting. Indirect bullying appears more frequently with girls and comes in the form of spreading rumors, lies and even graffiti about a target. Cyberbullying is an extension of indirect bullying and can occur with text messages, emails, phone calls and social networking media, such as Facebook.

Hopkins says to look for some possible signs of a target of bullying.

Parents, she says, should look for damaged property, torn clothing and lost or misplaced items – especially if these occurrences seem “out of character.” Other signs might be a child wanting to avoid lunch, recess or the bus, or a sudden change in friends or social groups. Physical signs include suspicious scrapes or bruises. Withdrawal is another red flag.

“The majority of kids bullied don’t tell anybody,” Hopkins says.

But when will “kids just be kids,” and when does the behavior cross the line?

Hopkins says three criteria must be in place to constitute bullying.

“There’s an imbalance of power — whether it’s real or perceived — by one kid by size or social status,” Hopkins says. The second element is “if the intent is to be hurtful,” she says, and the third is “if the impact is negative … unwelcome.”

All parties need to be addressed, Hopkins adds, including the bully. If bullies are left unchecked, more serious consequences can follow, such as juvenile delinquency.

“That’s often a first step toward more serious activity, criminal activity,” she says.

Understanding where bullying comes from is another good first step in combating what Mould calls a bullying epidemic.

A child may become a bully if he or she witnesses domestic violence at home, either from parents or siblings, and then learns and implements a similar behavior.

Others, she says, might have a more innate predisposition to bully.

“For whatever reason, some are born with a personality, if they’re just an angry or mean personality,” Mould says. “That’s something that’s going to be hard to change without loving, nurturing adults surrounding that person.”

As difficult as it is to recognize this need, Mould says the bullies should not be neglected.

“With that personality, you have to work hard,” she says. “The hardest kid to love is the person that needs love the most, and that’s one way of intervening.”

A third cause of bullying is due to the bully wanting to act out for attention or control, Mould continues.

“They feel they’re above everybody else because they need to feel more competent,” she adds.

 

Some solutions

It’s one thing to recognize the causes of bullying, but it’s only the first step in remedying the situation. Mould offers some solutions. “When we can prevent enough bullying and kids can feel safe in school, they will succeed, and research proves it,” Mould says.

The primary antidote to bullying, Mould says, is more focused attention on all kids from both school and parents. For instance, Mould says bullies might be acting out because of a lack of control in their own lives; thus, giving the bully more freedom to choose might give them less reason to bully for that control. And everyone must be able to talk about his or her feelings, she notes.

Another change that needs to occur is the elimination of the bystander.

In her shows, Mould aims to build confidence and courage in kids. Her latest presentation, “Let’s CORK Bullying,” emphasizes her philosophy of empowering kids and preventing bullying. The ‘C’ stands for courage and confidence, and the ‘O’ stands for owning what we observe.

“When we see somebody being hurt, we have to own the problem,” Mould says. “We can’t accept bystanders anymore.”

The ‘R’ is for respecting differences and feelings. “When we become more tolerant, we all make a positive difference in the world,” Mould says. The ‘K’ is for kindness, which Mould says is “the king of what we do, and what we say. Everything has to match; when we say something, it has to match in our eyes and our face.”

When someone is bullied and no one helps, targets can feel they deserve that treatment, and their negative emotions are reinforced, Hopkins says.

“The most important thing people can do is intervene,” Hopkins says, even if that intervention takes the form of approaching the bully’s target after the incident. “When you see it happen, acknowledge it’s not OK for someone to treat them that way.”

Empowering all children, including targets, is another essential anti-bullying component.

“Reach out when you see somebody being targeted,” Hopkins says. “Don’t ignore it. Don’t think it’s someone else’s job. Encourage kids to reach out to adults. If the first adult doesn’t do anything about it, tell another until you get heard.”

 

Books

While there are a number of excellent fiction and non-fiction books out there on bullying, we suggest you take a look at these five titles, organized by age group.

Preschool Pick: One, by Kathryn Otoshi. Published in 2008, this award-winning, full color preschool-friendly book features various colors and introduces kids to the concept of recognizing and accepting differences, while also giving them a review of colors and counting. One offers a fresh look at the subject of bullying. Ko Kids Books: $16.95 in hardcover.

Preschool/Early Grade School Pick: The Juice Box Bully: Empowering Kids to Stand Up for Others, by Bob Sornson, Maria Dismondy, and illustrated by Kim Shaw. Unlike many people who watch bullying occur without taking action, Pete notices that the students at his new school don’t stand idly by. As Pete begins to demonstrate bullying actions, his schoolmates teach him about a pact called “The Promise” to help him change for the better. Published in 2010. Ferne Press: $10.95 in paperback.

Upper Grade School Pick: Blubber, by Judy Blume. This classic story, first published in 1974, still resonates today. The story centers on a fifth-grade girl who joins other students to pick on another overweight student, before realizing what it feels like to be the target of school bullying. Yearling Books: $6.99 in paperback.

Middle school pick: Bystander, by James Preller. This 2011 book is more suitable for older children and young teens, as it follows a seventh-grade boy who has to decide if he will stand by when someone is bullied, or if he will become a victim. Square Fish: $7.99 in paperback.

For Parents and Educators: The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander: From Preschool to High School—How Parents and Teachers Can Help Break the Cycle of Violence (Updated), by Barbara Coloroso. This 2009-updated book deals with the bullying epidemic across the nation and how the subject is not something to merely be brushed aside. Updated version contains information on cyberbullying. Coloroso classifies the various types of bullying and the steps youth, parents, and educators can take to help each other and improve each school system. Collins Living: $14.99 in Paperback.

 

Films

Sure, there’s The Karate Kid and Mean Girls, but when it comes to finding movies that really portray the reality of bullying, we suggest the following titles to start your list.

Bullied (2010). Not to be confused with this year’s well-known Bully, this 40-minute documentary is intended for middle school students and follows one student’s account of anti-gay harassment. The film was endorsed by the National Endowment of the Arts and is featured on the website Teaching Tolerance. More info: http://www.tolerance.org/bullied

Bully (2012). This title has made a lot of headlines ever since it first came out with an R-rating, and there has been a lot of criticism about editing the film to fit within the PG-13 rating. Either way, Bully is an up-to-date journey of youth who have experienced bullying for various reasons, and should get viewers’ fires burning to shake up the status quo.

Cry for Help (2009). This online film spotlights teenage mental illness and suicide, and can be viewed in full at http://www.pbs.org/wnet/cryforhelp/episodes/the-film/watch-the-documentary/1/.

Growing Up Online (2008). This PBS/Frontline documentary can be viewed for free in its entirety online, and particularly deals with the pervasiveness and consequences of cyberbullying. Watch online at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/kidsonline/. The link will also give you other information and resources.

Stop Bullying: Speak Up (2012). Don’t be fooled by the fact that this documentary is produced by the Cartoon Network. Speak Up is a hard-hitting expose of bullying and what can be done about it. Watch this film if you want to feel you can do something about bullying. Rated PG. Available online at http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/promos/stopbullying/index.html. You will also find an eduactors’ guide and parenting tips on the website.

To Save a Life (2009). This fictional film with a Christian perspective follows high school student Jake Taylor as he copes with a childhood friend’s suicide.

 

Other resources:

Anti-Bullying Training Center: bully.org

Character Counts: charactercounts.org

Kaleidoscope Konnections: maureenmould.org/

Stop Bullying: stopbullying.gov

Teaching Tolerance: tolerance.org

Youth Suicide Prevention Program: yspp.org

Leavitts’ Journey to Hope

By Scott Klepach, Jr.

Photos courtesy of the Leavitt family

Some might see autism as a roadblock for families. But others, like Wayne and Sherrie Leavitt, see it as an opportunity to head down a different road, one that forges deep familial bonds.

The Leavitts’ oldest son, Colby, 10, has such severe autism that he functions at the level of a 6-12-month-old. Because of the severity of his condition, the entire family functions at a different level too. While they assist Colby in the day-to-day (he has to wear adult diapers, for instance), they also encourage Colby’s growth. This means Colby’s brother Connor, 7, who doesn’t have autism, is limited by his experiences.

Wayne and Sherrie have tried a variety of therapies with Colby — music therapy as well as other homeopathic and naturopathic methods. He’s taken part in some local programs and resources that have been helpful. He has been benefitted from a special education program in the West Valley school district, and he has also been involved in The Pegasus Project, a local organization that provides therapy to special needs children through learning to ride horses. He has gone to Clear Lake to attend a special camp for autistic children, and he even has a therapy dog, Luke.

But Colby’s case requires more care and resources than most school districts and local organizations can offer.

 

THE SITUATION LED HIS PARENTS to make a major decision: Colby would head to Gilbert, Ariz., to attend Pieceful Solutions, a K-12 charter school connected with Leading Edge Academy, which specializes in helping autistic children.

Colby now goes to school in a self-contained classroom specifically designed to serve children with lower-functioning autism.

Fewer than a dozen other students occupy the classroom.

“It doesn’t look any different than any other Kindergarten classroom,” Wayne says, “but each teacher is highly trained, and the classrooms are sensory rooms.”

So far, the school is helping Colby make tremendous strides in learning.

“He’s had amazing progress with non-verbal [skills],” says Wayne, adding that iPads have been essential tools for his growth.

 

MAKING THE MOVE WASN’T AN OVERNIGHT DECISION. In fact, Wayne Leavitt has dreamed for years of opening his own private school in Yakima for special needs children, specifically those with autism.

While that plan didn’t pan out, the Leavitts did begin a special needs program at First Presbyterian Church, which they attend. The program is held in what is now called “Colby’s Room.”

But all the while, Wayne and Sherrie continued looking for the right place that could help Colby.

Early on in their search, the Leavitts found a school in Florida that cost $2,000 a month — the best deal Wayne could find at the time. He happened to check facilities in Arizona once more, and that’s when he discovered Pieceful Solutions.

Wayne doesn’t think that was chance, though. When he called the institution, he found out there was a rare opening to get Colby on board.

“We were really blessed. It was definitely divine intervention to find this place,” says Wayne. “We followed God’s will for us. It wasn’t a comfortable thing for us to do, splitting up the family.”

Wayne added this split was especially difficult for Connor, whom Wayne describes as “his shadow.”

When the couple learned of Pieceful Solutions, and the associated Autistic Research Institute in Arizona, they took a long, hard look at their options.

First, Colby couldn’t be sent alone. But not everyone can just pick up and leave for several months at a time. Wayne, who owns a Farmers Insurance office in town, was able to make arrangements so he could live with his son and continue working from Arizona.

Sherrie and Connor are staying in Yakima for the five months that Wayne and Colby will be gone.

The Leavitts visited Arizona the first week of December to check out the charter school, and Colby started at the new school in January. His first stint will last for five months.

Since Arizona is one of the only states in the nation to accommodate families of developmental disabilities, the Leavitts do not have to pay for tuition currently. The school also covers Colby’s speech and occupational therapy, health insurance and diapers.

 

THE FAMILY HAS BEEN COMMUNICATING via Skype and Facebook so they can stay connected when they are physically apart.

The whole family will head down to Arizona in May to determine if they will make a permanent move or continue to commute from Yakima. Wayne inherited his father’s insurance business, so moving away would be moving away from a generational link to Yakima, but he is considering it for the sake of his son.

The separation is difficult on Sherrie, too. In a February post on Facebook, she wrote:

 

“To my son Colby,
Where are you this moment, my darling young child, where have your thoughts taken you? Where are you this moment, my darling young Angel, is there something you need me to do? Is there a way I can touch you, is there a sign I should know, Is there a path I could follow that would help you to learn and to grow? If i could reach down inside you If I could cuddle your heart, If I could take the mystery away, would you know we never will truly part? Where are you this moment my child, where are your thoughts taking you? Please know I love you no matter what life takes us through.”

 

As the Leavitts look to a higher power for guidance, it looks like their search for the right place to help their son has finally become realized.

“The school is working out fantastic,” Sherrie says, “just like we knew God had in His plan for Colby.”
Resources:

Camp Prime Time
Camp for terminally ill or disabled children
Office: 6 S. Second St. • Yakima
Office phone: 509-248-2854
Camp: Near Clear Lake on Road 744
Wenatchee National Forest (east of White Pass)
Camp phone: 509-672-2430
campprimetime.org

Children’s Village Autism Treatment Center
3801 Kern Way • Yakima
509-574-3200 or 1-800-745-1077
yakimachildrensvillage.org
Link to “Early Signs and Symptoms of Autism”: http://childrensvillage.memfound.org/early-signs-symptoms-autism

Pegasus Project Therapeutic Riding Center
Therapeutic horseback riding for those with special needs or disabilities
4680 Highway 12 • Yakima
509-965-6990
pegasusrides.com

Back to School

Sending kids to school for the first time is a huge step, for both kids and parents. Your child might enjoy having you around to help him or her ease into this transition to school life.

You, mom and dad, may also need some help with this change. Check to see if you can volunteer at your child’s preschool or kindergarten. At most schools, volunteers can do all sorts of things, from assisting in the classroom to fundraising, cleaning, transporting and organizing events. You won’t know until you ask.

Just be sure you understand that as a volunteer, you will not have your hand in everything your child does, or how the school operates.

One way to know for sure that you can be involved in the classroom is by selecting a parent cooperative preschool, which is designed to have parents serve as teacher assistants.

Annette Courcy, teacher/coordinator of Central Lutheran Preschool, a parent co-op, said this type of program is a good option for parents who want to stay actively involved in their child’s education, and they also help children make the transition into the school setting.

Carole Jevon’s twin daughters attended Learning Together Preschool, the only other preschool co-op in the area.

That co-op has been running for more than 30 years and was once linked with Yakima Valley Community College. Several years ago, however, Learning Together Preschool became independently owned and moved to the lower level of Mountainview Fellowship Church.

Jevons’ experience at the co-op was positive.

“As a parent, I loved participating in my daughter’s education,” says Jevons. “I learned so much as a parent about them. Because you work in the classroom with other parents you really become a family and look out for all the children.”

Jevons added that this team effort gives children a number of role models to learn from.

 

Central Lutheran Preschool. Central Lutheran Church, 1604 W. Yakima Ave., Yakima. Annette Courcy: Preschool teacher/coordinator: 509-575-6490. clcyakima.org/preschool.html

Learning Together Preschool. Lower level of Mountainview Fellowship Christian Church, 7105 Apline Way, Yakima. Bridget Carranza: Preschool teacher/program coordinator: 509-966-0733 or ltpkids@hotmail.com.

–Scott Klepach, Jr

 

Wondering what to do with your kids after the school day is over?

 

Being a working parent of school-aged children isn’t easy when school gets out in the early afternoon and the end of your workday looms much further in the evening – or even into the weekend. Take a look at this list for safe and fun after-school and weekend programs and youth drop-in centers.

 

KIDSCLUB State-licensed childcare program for ages 3-10 includes nutritional snacks, studying, games, gymnastics classes and crafts. Preschool curriculum offered for ages 3-4. Open from 6:45 a.m.-6 p.m. during the summer and school year. Other services include bus pickup and drop-off at the front door. Selah GymKids, 709 North Park Centre, Selah. 509-698-5437. selahgymkids.com

 

KIDS’ PLACE After-school program for students enrolled in grades K-5. Organized by Yakima Parks & Recreation and supervised by AmeriCorps members. Free. Call Karin Skone, 509-575-6114.

 

SATURDAY NITE LIVE Drop-in program for ages 7-15, in partnership with Yakima Valley Young Life. Swimming, sports, games and a Christian message. 7-9:30 p.m. Saturdays. Free. Yakima Family YMCA, 5 N. Naches Ave., Yakima. 509-248-1202 or 509-961-9898. yakimaymca.org

 

SELAH YOUTH CENTER Open to students in grades 5-9 from 2-5 p.m. Monday through Friday during the school year only. Air hockey, foosball, video games, movies, pool, arcade and “Homework All Stars.” Selah Youth Center, 93 Wernex Loop, next to the Carlon Park Tennis Courts parking lot. Free. 509-697-7529.

 

YAKIMA ATHLETIC CLUB KIDS’ CLUB Care for infants and toddlers, and a rec room for ages 6 and older. Foosball, air hockey, and games bikes. Call for rates, hours and other information. Yakima Athletic Club, 2501 Racquet Lane, Yakima; 509-452-6521. yakimaathleticclub.com

 

YAKIMA VALLEY LIBRARIES Various programs available for kids and teens during the summer and school year. Yakima Central Library (main branch). 102 N. Third St., Yakima. 509-452-8541. yvl.org

 

YMCA BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENT (BASE) PROGRAM Open to students ages 5-12. Supervised latch-key programs focus on making friends, building relationships, leadership skills and staying active. Programs available from 7 a.m. until school starts, and after school until 6 p.m. Program available at Gilbert, McClure, Nob Hill, Terrace Heights, Whitney and East Valley elementary schools. Program fees vary. Contact Mikeal, 509-972-5251. yakimaymca.org

 

YMCA YOUTH DROP-IN CENTER Open to youth ages 7-15. Scheduled swimming and gym times, foosball, computer lab, movies, arts and crafts and more. YMCA membership not required. Supervised by YMCA Youth Department staff. Open during the summer and during the school year; call for hours. Free. Yakima Family YMCA, 5 N. Naches Ave., Yakima. 509-248-1202. yakimaymca.org

 

YAKIMA POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE (PAL) Recreation room for ping pong, foosball, video games, pool, air hockey and arts and crafts. Friday Family Movie Night is another ongoing activity. Other programs offered through PAL include boxing, wrestling and field trips. After school program from 3:15-7 p.m. Yakima Police Athletic League, 602 N. Fourth St., Yakima. 509-575-6180. ci.yakima.wa.us/services/police/yakimaPAL/

 

Contact your local school district for programs and activities available at each school as well:

 

EAST VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT. 2002 Beaudry Rd., Yakima. 509-573-7300 or evsd90.org

 

SELAH SCHOOL DISTRICT. 105 W. Bartlett, Selah. 509-697-0706 or selah.k12.wa.us

 

UNION GAP SCHOOL DISTRICT. 3201 S. Fourth St., Union Gap. 509-248-3966 or uniongapschool.org

 

WEST VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT. 8902 Zier Rd., Yakima. 509-972-6000 or wvsd208.org

 

YAKIMA SCHOOL DISTRICT. 104 N. Fourth Ave., Yakima. 509-573-7000 or yakimaschools.org

 

Tutoring

 

A+ Advantage Point Lerning. Serves 23 local public schools in the Yakima, Union Gap, Selah and Highland school districts. Free tutoring services in reading and math to low-income students in their schools after school. Contact area coordinator Jeni Rice at 509-594-3180 for more information.

 

Avail Learning (formerly KnowledgePoints). Testing and diagnosis and individualized tutoring offered. Free services also offered. Call for hours and other info. Director: Maria Jett. Avail Learning, 1517 Summitview Ave., Suite 100, Yakima; 509-469-2544. availlearning.com

 

 

 

 

School Directory

Here is a handy guide to local preschools, Kindergarten programs, and other resources. We also have a guide to help you select the right preschool or Kindergarten program.

CHURCH-AFFILIATED SCHOOLS

Agapeland Preschool & Kindergarten | Preschool & Kindergarten, ages 3-5. Located at Selah Covenant Church, 560 McGonagle Road, Selah; call 509-697-6116 or visit selahcov.com. Three-year-old class meets 9-11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, $68 monthly. Four-year-old class meets 9-11:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, $95 monthly. Pre-K (Barely 5′s) class meets 12:20-2:50 p.m. Monday through Thursday, $110 monthly. Kindergarten class meets 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday, $150 monthly (for 10 months). Registration begins Feb. 1 for current students, and Mar. 1 for new students.

Calvary Lutheran Preschool | Preschool only, ages 3-4. Located at Calvary Lutheran Church, 11th and Harrison, Sunnyside; call 509-837-6771 or visit calvarylcs.com. Three-year-old class meets 12:30-2:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, $70 monthly. Four-year-olds have two options: Three-day class meets 9-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, $80 monthly. Five-day class meets 9-11:30 a.m. Monday-Friday, $125 monthly.

First Presbyterian Church Preschool | Preschool only, ages 3-5. Located at First Presbyterian Church, 9 S. Eighth Ave., Yakima; call 509-248-7940 or visit firstpresyakima.com. Three-year-old class meets 9-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, $90 monthly. Four-year-old class meets 9-11:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, $120 monthly. Pre-kindergarten class meets 9-11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday, $145 monthly. Your child must be 3 or 4 by Sept. 1 for the respective classes, and 5 by Dec. 31 for the pre-Kindergarten class. Registration opens Feb. 7 for fall classes.

Grace Lutheran School | Preschool (age 4) & Kindergarten, through grade 8. Located at Grace Lutheran Church, 1207 S. Seventh Ave., Yakima; call 509-594-0715 or visit gracelutheranyakima.org. Call to arrange a tour anytime. Now enrolling for 2011.

Mt. Olive Lutheran Preschool | Preschool (ages 3-5). Located at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 7809 Tieton Drive, Yakima; call Molly at 509-966-2190 or visit mtoliveyakima.org. New student registration 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 16.

Riverside Christian School | Preschool (age 3) & Kindergarten, through grade 12. Located at 721 Keys Road, Yakima; call 509-965-2602 or visit riversidechristianschool.com. Preschool class meets twice a week. Pre-kindergarten meets five days a week. An open house and Kinder Info Night will be held April 14.

St. John of Kronstadt Orthodox Christian School | Kindergarten through grade 8. Location: 706 Steward Street, Yakima; 452-0177. Online: stjohnkronstadt.org. An open house for prospective students will be at 7 p.m. Jan. 27. You can call to arrange a tour anytime.

St. Joseph/Marquette Catholic School | Pre-K & Kindergarten, to grade 8. Located at 202 N. Fourth St., Yakima; call Vicki Balmer at 509-575-5557 to schedule a tour or visit sjmms.org. Pre-kindergarten students must be 4 years old by Aug. 31. Program hours are 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., Monday through Friday; call for tuition information. Hot lunch program and after-school care from 3:00 to 6:15 p.m. An open house for prospective students will be from 5-7 p.m. Feb. 3. Or, call to arrange a tour anytime. Add your name to the school’s waiting list now; admission for new students will begin in late February.

St. Paul Cathedral School | Preschool (4 years) & Kindergarten, through grade 8. Location: 1214 W. Chestnut Ave., Yakima; 575-5604. Online: http://www.stpaulsch.org/pages/St__Paul_Cathedral_School

An open house for prospective students will be held Jan. 27.

Wesley Preschool | Preschool only, ages 3-4 and Pre-K. Located at Wesley United Methodist Church, 14 N. 48th Ave., Yakima; call 509-966-2370. Also offers a “Stay N Play” extended day program. Registration begins Feb. 7 for fall classes.

Westpark Christian Academy | Preschool (3 years) & Kindergarten, through grade 12. Location: 3902 Summitview Ave., Yakima; 966-1632. Online: diversityexcels.org

Wonderland Preschool | Preschool only, ages 3-5. Located at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 6015 Summitview Ave., Yakima; call 509-966-1900 or visit westpress.org. Three-year-old class meets 9-11:30 a.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, $95 monthly. Four-year-old class meets 9-11:30 a.m. M-T-W-Th, $115 monthly. Barely Five pre-kindergarten class meets 12:15-3:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday, $125 monthly. Registration starts Feb. 1 for fall classes.

Yakima Adventist Christian School | Kindergarten through grade 10. Location: 1200 City Reservoir Road, Yakima. 966-1933. Online: www.yacsschool.org
Open House 6:30-7:30 p.m. March 3, 2011. Education Day will be April 6 from 8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. with two Kindergarten sessions; preregistration is required. Prospective students will spend the day in a classroom and take assessment tests.

MONTESSORI

Montessori School of Yakima | Preschool (3 years) & Kindergarten, through grade 3. Located at Engelwood Christian Church, 511 N. 44th Ave., Yakima; call 509-966-0680 or visit msofy.org. An open house will be held 6-7 p.m. Feb. 1.

Oakridge Montessori School | Preschool (18 months) & Kindergarten, through grade 8. Located at 6403 Summitview Ave., Yakima; call 509-966-1080 or visit oakridgemontessorischool.com.

PARENT COOPERATIVES

Central Lutheran Preschool | Located at Central Lutheran Church, 1604 W. Yakima Ave., Yakima; call teacher Annette Courcy at 509-307-6272. Toddler program (ages 18-36 months) meets Monday mornings, $32 monthly; parent participation required each session. Preschoolers (ages 3-5) meets Tuesday through Friday mornings; students may attend two, three or four days a week, $60/$70/$80 monthly; parents required to volunteer at least three days a month. Preschool is friendly to children with food allergies. Open house week is Mar. 21-25; registration period follows.

Children’s Center Preschool | Located at Zillah Church of the Nazarene, 203 Miles Drive, Zillah; call coordinator Nancy Sealock at 509-829-6165.

Learning Together Preschool | Located at Summit View Church of Christ, 100 N. 72nd Ave., Yakima; call 509-966-0733 or e-mail ltkids@hotmail.com.

PRIVATE PRESCHOOLS

Gymnastics Plus Preschool | Located at Gymnastics Plus, 2121 West Lincoln Ave., Yakima; call 509-453-8126 or visit gymnasticsplus.net.

Kid’s Club | Located at 607 S. 36th Ave., Yakima; call 509-469-5437 or visit thelearningtree-uniongap.com.

The Learning Tree Children’s Center | Located at 3609 Tacoma St., Union Gap; call 574-5755 or visit thelearningtree-uniongap.com.

Selah GymKids Academic Preschool | Located at Selah GymKids, 709 North Park Centre, Selah; call 509-698-5437. Preschool class, ages 3 and 4, meets 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. or 9 a.m. to noon, Tuesdays and Thursdays, $120 per month. Pre-kindergarten class, ages 4-5, meets 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 9 a.m. to noon Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, $155 per month. All-day child care available, ages 3-5; transportation and before/after-school care for older children.

SPECIAL NEEDS

Children’s Village Collaborative Lab Classroom | Located at Children’s Village, 3801 Kern Road, Yakima; call 509-574-3260 or visit yakimachildrensvillage.org. Serves children ages 30-58 months with social, emotional, communication and behavioral needs.

Special Education Preschool. Located at the Special Services department in the West Valley School District, 1000 S. 72^nd Ave., Yakima; call 509-965-2080 or visit http://www.wvsd208.org/ss/Preschoolcontacts.htm. Serves preschool children who may have delays in communication, language, motor skills, cognition, social interaction, and adaptive and self-help areas.

VIP Academy | Located at Catholic Family & Child Service, 5301 Tieton Drive, Suite C, Yakima; call 509-965-7100 or visit cfcsyakima.org. Pre-kindergarten program for children who need extra help with behavior and social-emotional skills.

CHILD CARE CENTERS

Working parents may want to consider a child development center that offers preschool curriculum in an all-day child care setting.

Carroll Children’s Center | Located at Catholic Family & Child Service, 5301 Tieton Drive, Suite C, Yakima; call 509-965-7104 or visit cfcsyakima.org.

Country Kids Child Development Center | Two locations: 641 N. Keys Road, Terrace Heights, call 509-453-8688; or 909 N. 21st Ave., Yakima, call 453-4462.

Kindercare Learning Center | Located at 5110 Summitview Ave., Yakima; call 509-966-8557 or visit kindercare.com.

YMCA Jewett Center | Located at 212 E. F St., Yakima; call 509-453-7897 or visit yakimaymca.org.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

East Valley School District | Full-day kindergarten. Registration at East Valley (573-7600), Terrace Heights (573-7800) and Moxee (573-7700) elementary schools will begin the week of March 21-25. To determine your school boundary, call the district office at 573-7300.

Naches School District | Half-day kindergarten. Naches Valley Primary School offers grades K-2. For more information, call 966-5050 or 966-7550 for Naches Valley Primary School, or 457-8592 or 653-2220 to reach the school district.

Selah School District | Half-day kindergarten. Parents may request enrollment at either John Campbell or Robert Lince elementary schools. A kindergarten orientation meeting will be at 7 p.m. May 2 at Robert Lince Elementary; registration begins May 4. For more information, call 697-0706.

Union Gap School District | Full-day kindergarten. Register at Union Gap School in April. For more information, call 248-3966.

West Valley School District | Full-day kindergarten. Registration begins Mar. 21-25 at your home school; to determine your school boundary, call the district’s transportation department at 966-2403.

Yakima School District | Full-day kindergarten. Registration begins Feb. 28-Mar. 4 at your neighborhood school. Students are required to attend their boundary school; to determine which boundary you live in, call Central Registration at 573-7024 or see the map at yakimaschools.org

GET Prepared to Save for Your Child’s College Tuition

Plan Now to Pay for Your Child’s College Tuition

By Scott Klepach, Jr.

Are you planning to send your little ones to college someday? Then now is the time to get with the program with the GET program – Washington state’s Guaranteed Education Tuition college tuition plan.

GET has been around now for 13 years to provide a way for families to save for college. As a 529 prepaid college tuition plan, GET allows parents to save money and make tax-exempt payments.

With rising costs in tuition each year – especially in the last several years of the economic recession – it’s a good time to get started saving early and wisely, said GET Program Director Betty Lochner.

“We encourage parents to save and not incur huge debt,” Lochner said, adding that tuition rates are “rising a lot faster than inflation and income, so now more than ever it’s really critical to keep up.”

Parents who enroll in the program purchase GET units which cover the cost of tuition. The value of these units remains the same whether a student attends school in Washington or heads out of state, and the units apply to public, private, and technical schools. Any leftover tuition can be used for books, housing, and expenses, or can be rolled over into another year.

Lochner said the program is stable, unlike some other investment options. “It’s not like investing in the stock market, where the risk goes to the participant.”

Lochner noted it’s better for parents to save when they are newborns or toddlers rather than put it off for later.

“Kids are growing fast; tuition is growing even faster,” she said. “Most families wait until middle school to start thinking about it, but it’s not enough.”

The enrollment deadline is March 31, 2011 to lock in this year’s rates. Enrollment will open again in the fall, but with the higher rates. Newborns may enroll year-round.

For more information, including charts of the cost of college over time, visit GET’s website at get.wa.gov. You can also call 1-800-955-2318 with questions.

Parents’ Guide to Preschool and Kindergarten

Parents’ Guide to Preschool and Kindergarten

By Scott Klepach, Jr.

When should your children start school? Where should they go?

After the toddler years (or even during), these are a couple of of the toughest questions parents have to answer. But rest assured, readers: there isn’t just one correct answer. Read here about your family’s options.  For a directory of preschool and Kindergarten programs and other options, click here.

Decisions, decisions…

To preschool or not to preschool? Some parents don’t enter their children into the school system until Kindergarten. Others know they want to start earlier. Your child might spend just a few short months in preschool, or as long as several years. Programs abound for various ages: from as young as 18 months to 5 years. Not all preschools offer the same program, and each one has a specific age minimum.

Here are ten things to consider as you conduct your planning:

10. The experience. Do you want lots of structure for your children, or more time for free play and association? Do you want them to be introduced to subjects they will learn when they move on, or would you rather have them in preschool for social transition? Do you want your child placed in a church-based institution or a secular one? Would you prefer a larger or smaller school? Public or private? Begin mulling these questions over well before deciding which school fits your expectations.

West Valley’s Becky Futrell decided not to send her daughter to a formal preschool. She and her husband set their sights instead on selecting a good Kindergarten program for her.

For Futrell, there were a number of factors to think about, but what stuck out was the safety and size of the school district.

“We just felt better about her being in a smaller district,” said Futrell, whose daughter attends Kindergarten in the Naches School District. “My main issue was I wanted to feel that where I was sending my child was safe and that I knew she would be in good care while away from me.”

Futrell said she would have loved to have more options, including a dual immersion program, which helps students learn a second language. “Unfortunately, in our area the schools that have this were quite a ways away.”

9. Special needs. From food allergies to Autism to physical disabilities, there are a few good reasons that you’ll want to make sure the school you choose is well-equipped to handle your child’s special needs.

With reports of food allergies on the rise, speak with teachers and administrators about how each school handles restricting common food allergens. You might need to submit your own food allergy emergency management plan, which you can download from the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network’s website at foodallergy.org.

If your child has special needs because of a physical disability or a learning disability, he or she will be evaluated by the school district to see if he or she meets the criteria. Areas of testing will include delays in communication and language, motor skills, social interaction, and others. Contact the school(s) you’re interested in to see what the process is early.

8. Money matters. Sometimes you can afford only so much for schooling, so check with your public school district to see what preschool and Kindergarten options are available to you. We have the list of public and private school options available on our website, playdateyakima.com.

Low-income families may qualify to attend federal-or state-funded preschools, including Head Start and ECEAP programs. These programs are free to students who meet the eligibility requirements; call your local school district or EPIC (248-3950) for more information. Find information online at wsaheadstarteceap.com.

Cooperative preschools (see number 7 for more info on this!) are generally one of the less expensive alternatives to other private school options.

7. Any volunteers? Sending kids to school for the first time is a huge step, for both kids and parents. Your child might enjoy having you around to help him or her ease into this transition to school life.

You, mom and dad, may also need some help with this change. Check to see if you can volunteer at the preschool or Kindergarten. At most schools, volunteers can do all sorts of things, from assisting in the classroom to fundraising, cleaning, transporting and organizing events. You won’t know until you ask.

Just be sure you understand that as a volunteer, you will not have your hand in everything your child does, or how the school operates.

One way to know for sure that you can be involved in the classroom is by selecting a parent cooperative preschool, which is designed to have parents serve as teacher assistants.

Annette Courcy, teacher/coordinator of Central Lutheran Preschool, a parent co-op, said this type of program is a good option for parents who want to stay actively involved in their child’s education, and they also help children make the transition into the school setting.

6. Timing is everything. In addition to geography and the commute time, think of the time of day the school runs. At this age you probably know how well your child can adapt to a new schedule, so take into account what your child will be comfortable with so he or she can get the most out of these early school years.

5. Location, location, location! Your dream school might not be as feasible as you wished. Perhaps the commute is too far away, and your schedule simply won’t allow you to place your child there.

Location will be a major factor for parents in choosing a preschool. If you can spare the extra few miles and minutes each day, then go ahead, but be sure you plan accordingly.

Depending on where you live, you might not only be bound to a certain school district for a Kindergarten program, but you may or may not have a choice which school your child will be enrolled in.

4. The early bird gets to be the bookworm. If you’re thinking of enrolling your child for preschool in the fall, you’ll need to plan ahead by about six months, if not sooner.

In fact, once the warmth of spring arrives, you might be too late. Don’t wait! Call the prospective schools on your list to find out information on enrollment and registration, so you can secure a spot for your child.

3. Check out an open house. Perhaps the best advice a parent can receive (as I have recently found out) is to do more than just scour the phone book or this magazine’s listing of preschools and Kindergarten options.

Call a few places early to see when open houses are available, and attend as many as you can if you’re uncertain. A school might look great on paper, but being there on site might tell you more than anything else and will help you greatly in making a decision.

2. Take a tour. If you can’t attend an open house – or even if you do – it’s also a good idea to reserve a tour of the preschool or Kindergarten you’re inquiring about.

A tour will allow you to ask questions you might not have been able to at an open house, and you can talk specifically about your child’s needs. Meeting with teachers and administrators and seeing how students react to them in the actual educational setting will give you a great sense how your child might fit in.

“Take a tour, and 15 to 20 minutes there will tell you more than anything else,” says Elizabeth Fitzgerald, who is the chair of the board of directors, as well as administrator and manager of St. John of Kronstadt Orthodox Christian School in Yakima, which offers grades K-8. “You’ll see the school, the teachers and how students react.”

Local public schools also offer tours.

1. The more, the merrier. No one said you have to settle for the first school on the list, or even the first school you’ve taken a tour of. If anyone does say that to you, then kindly disregard their words and do yourself and your child a favor, and invest enough time and research to make sure you make a careful, educated decision.

“The advice I give to parents is to go to two to three places,” said Courcy, of Central Lutheran Preschool in Yakima. “Your gut will always tell you what will work best, and work well with your philosophy, and what’s best for your kids.”

KINDERGARTEN

You should also get an early start if you’re registering your child in Kindergarten. If your child turns 5 by Aug. 31, be aware that many schools begin Kindergarten registration in March.

When you go to register, be sure to bring a copy of your child’s birth certification and immunization records, along with proof of address, such as a utility bill or rental agreement.

Since each child is a little different, how can parents know if their child is Kindergarten-ready? Thanks to Ready by Five and the Yakima School District, parents can view a checklist that offers measurements and benchmarks to decide if their child is ready for that big step.

Here are some good questions to help you out. Can your child…

• say and recognize names, both in verbal and written form?
• verbally identify objects and places?
• articulate thoughts and emotions in complete sentences?
• repeat rhymes and songs and come up with his or her own rhymes?
• recognize numerals 0-10 and count to 20?
• detect familiar signs and symbols (i.e. road signs, store names, and brand names).
• recognize the alphabet and identify many letters?
• use a pencil and scissors properly?
• demonstrate an understanding of shapes, colors, and sizes?
• use the toilet and exercise proper washing techniques?
• be away from parents and home for a significant period of time?
• listen to adults and work well with friends or peers?

It’s important to have conversations with children and have fun with words and language. Be aware that your children are going to learn most of their information from you, the parents, so be sure to practice your own correct language and encourage them to read and talk in a variety of creative and interactive ways.

If you’re still not sure if your child is ready, you might consider enrolling your child in a Kindergarten-readiness program.

Ready by Five, in conjunction with the Yakima School District, provides a Kindergarten Transition Program (KTP) to help in this area.

“Teachers know what kids need to have, but sometimes the communication isn’t always there,” said Elizabeth Mendoza, the coordinator of community outreach with Ready By Five.

She added Ready By Five is available to reach children before they enter the K-12 system.

“Every child learns at a different pace,” said Mendoza, noting the suggested steps a child should have already made before entering Kindergarten will not be universal. “Some will be beyond this, and some won’t. At least now [parents] have a base, or something to start with.”

Ready By Five’s KTP brings teachers and students together two weeks before the school year starts to get the kids acquainted with the school environment and facilities so they will be ready to learn on day one.

“Kids learn how to hang their coats, carry lunch trays, and find the bathroom,” among other things, said Mendoza. “It gets the tears out before school actually starts, to help alleviate anxiety.”

Another resource:

For interactive fun and learning, head to LiteracyCenter.Net, which is the Early Childhood Education Network’s website. There you’ll find educational games and exercises to help your child get a firm grasp on letters, numbers, shapes, colors, and more!

Recommended Books

Here are a couple of titles that might help your little one ease into the change that comes with heading into Kindergarten:

• The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
• The Night Before Kindergarten by Natasha Wing and Julie Durrell

For information on one way to save for our child’s college tuition, check out the Washington State GET Program.

Ready By Five: New Home, More Offerings

Ready By Five: New Home, More Offerings

Scott Klepach Jr.

In September, Ready By Five moved to its new location at 414 N. Third St. in Yakima. Its new site allows more space for its “Kaleidoscope Play & Learn” and “Creative Families Play & Learn” groups within its own facility. The new location provides three rooms for the Play and Learn program, and a new community room has been created especially for parents and other adults to converse or gather for private meetings.

The new building also houses a computer lab for computer classes. Thanks to a $379,000 federal Migrant Education Even Start (MEES) grant that Ready By Five received last summer, the lab will also allow for English as a Second Language and computer literacy classes for both children and parents.

“It’s a community initiative,” said Elizabeth Mendoza, Ready By Five’s coordinator of community outreach. “There are so many people involved, so many moving parts.”

The Lending Library will soon be fully operational and open to the public, and will offer books, toys and games all tied to a specific curriculum.

Ready By Five provides a Kindergarten Transition Program (KTP) to help parents determine if their child is ready for kindergarten and to offer suggestions to get them prepared.

“Teachers know what kids need to have, but sometimes the communication isn’t always there,” said Mendoza. She added Ready By Five is available to reach children before they enter the K-12 system.

“Every child learns at a different pace,” said Mendoza, adding that the steps a child should have made before entering kindergarten will not be universal. “Some will be beyond this, and some won’t. At least now (parents) have a base, or something to start with.”

With the move, Ready By Five can hold events at nearby Miller Park, which will be handy come springtime. By then, the organization’s staff is hopeful that their plans of building a community garden on site – so children can grow flowers and vegetables – will be well under way.

For information on all of Ready By Five’s services and programs, call 509-454-2493 or visit readybyfive.org.

• Kaleidoscope Play & Learn groups emphasize thematic, structured and interactive play, and are open to everyone. Meets every Monday from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and Friday from 1:30 – 3 p.m.
• Ready By Five’s Lending Library hours are now set for Mondays from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; Tuesdays from 3-5 p.m.; and the second and fourth Saturdays of each month from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Parents in Action meets once a month. Contact David at 509-853-1105 for more info.
• Story hour in partnership with Catholic Family Child & Service, held at the Yakima Valley Museum the second Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m. Free. 509-853-2052.

Time to Pick a Preschool

By Sara Bristol

More than any other subject, this is the story Playdate readers have asked for: help choosing a preschool.

It would be easier if I could just point you toward the best one, but that’s not the way this story goes. There are too many variables, and plenty of good choices.

Instead, I’ve culled some advice and information about the different types of preschools we have in the Yakima area and what kind of questions parents should ask. I’m pretty sure this decision isn’t going to be crucial to your child’s future at Harvard, but you’ll want to choose a preschool that’s safe and suits your family’s expectations, choose a school that you feel good about. Asking other parents for recommendations is a great way to start.

• First order of business: Yes, the time to sign up for preschool is now. Maybe I’m a little thick, but it didn’t occur to me in February that I should be enrolling my knee-high child in school for the fall. Was this in that “All I Really Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten” book? Must have missed that chapter.

Anyway, if you’re thinking about registering for school in the fall, get it done in the spring. Call right away to see if the schools on your interest list are hosting an open house.

• Plan to visit more than one school, and go when the kids are there. Yakima mother “Pete” Jacobson scheduled visits with several schools before enrolling her 5-year-old son, Luke, in a blended preschool-kindergarten class at the Montessori School of Yakima.

“The kids looked so happy,” says Pete, who didn’t know much about the Montessori method. “We couldn’t help it. The kids were just so happy there.”

• Consider schedule and location. Preschool programs typically meet two to five days a week for about three hours. You’ll want to consider your child’s ability to adapt to the schedule, as well as what you’re going to do in that brief window between the car pools.

• Do you want to be involved? For Sandra Simmons, there was no other option: “I just really wanted to participate,” says Sandra, whose 4-year-old daughter, Lily, attends Children’s Center Preschool, a parent cooperative in Zillah. “It’s really fun.”
At the Zillah co-op, as well as the Central Lutheran and Learning Together cooperative preschools in Yakima, parents are required to volunteer several days in the classroom each month and also attend parent meetings.

“You get to be very involved in your child’s day,” says Annette Courcy, teacher at Central Lutheran Preschool. Also, she adds, “the families that you meet and are together with in preschool remain very close family friends throughout your child’s entire school years.”

Many traditional preschools encourage parents to volunteer in the classroom. At others, parents are welcome to observe but may be seen as a distraction in the classroom.

Of course, working parents may not be able to participate and may need a program that offers before- and after-school care. Be sure to ask what options are available at the schools you’re considering.

• How old is your child? In Yakima, Oakridge Montessori School accepts children as young as 18 months and Central Lutheran Preschool offers a Monday morning toddler program for 2-year-olds. Many schools offer preschool programs for both 3- and 4-year-olds, often in separate classrooms. Some schools also offer a “prekindergarten” program for older 4-year-olds and 5-year-olds who will start kindergarten the following year.

A few programs, including the Montessori schools, offer mixed-age classrooms that allow children to stay in the same room for several years. Mixed-age classrooms are designed to let children learn at their own pace, and also encourage older students to help their younger cohorts.

• How much can you afford? Low-income families may qualify to attend federal- or state-funded preschools, including Head Start and ECEAP programs. These schools are free to students who meet the eligibility requirements; call your local school district or EPIC (509-248-3950) for more information.

Cooperative preschools are generally one of the less-expensive options. Be sure to consider volunteer hours and snack contributions when calculating your true costs.
Also, keep in mind that fees are typically proportionate to the number of days a child attends, i.e. daily programs tend to cost more than twice-weekly programs.

• Does your child have special needs? From food allergies to physical disabilities, you’ll want to make sure the school you choose is well-equipped to handle your child’s needs.

Elise Cardenas, a former preschool teacher, has been very happy with her son’s developmental preschool for children with speech and hearing problems at Yakima’s Whitney Elementary.

Gabe, now 4, suffered seizures as an infant that led to delays with his speech and language comprehension.

“I really felt like he needed some sort of preschool, but I didn’t feel like there would be very many teachers who could handle somebody like him,” says Elise, who learned about the Whitney class through Children’s Village.

• What are your expectations? “We are helping the child learn to love school more than anything else,” says Central Lutheran’s teacher Annette. Her program is designed to familiarize children with classroom routines, learn to get along with their peers and have fun.

“We throw a little bit of academics in there, too, but we feel the socialization and desire to learn are the most important.”

A couple years ago, Danielle Polage pulled her son Kyle from one preschool because she felt there was too much work.

“A big, big no for me is worksheets,” says Danielle, a cognitive psychologist and professor at Central Washington University. “If people tell me worksheets are coming home, that’s not the school for me.”

Look at the art, she suggests. “If I see my kid’s project coming home perfect, I know they didn’t do it.”

Danielle’s daughter Elyse attends Mt. Olive Lutheran Preschool. She likes the school’s balance of fun and learning, which includes hands-on science projects as well as Bible stories and songs.

“The No. 1 thing for me is to make sure the kids are having fun,” says Danielle. “Some people like complete structure and that their kids walk in complete silence and straight lines.

“I’m not like that,” she says. “Silly and messy are my No. 1 priorities for preschool. At some point, school becomes boring. And I want to prevent that from happening as long as possible.”

For more information about Yakima-area preschools, visit click here.

It’s time to sign up for kindergarten

When you think of sending your little guy to school in the fall, you might not think of registering him in the spring. However, if your child turns 5 by Aug. 31, take note: Many schools begin kindergarten registration in March.

When you go to register, be sure to a copy of your child’s birth certification and immunization records, along with proof of address, such as a utility bill or rental agreement.

Here’s a round-up of kindergarten registration information for Yakima-area school districts:

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

East Valley School District | Full-day kindergarten. New this fall, East Valley Intermediate will become East Valley Elementary. Registration at East Valley (573-7600), Terrace Heights (573-7800) and Moxee (573-7700) elementary schools will begin the week of March 23-27. To determine your school boundary, call the district office at 575-7300.

Selah School District | Half-day kindergarten. Parents may request enrollment at either John Campbell or Robert Lince elementary schools. A kindergarten orientation meeting will be at 7 p.m. May 4 at John Campbell Elementary’s Sunset Gym; registration begins May 6. For more information, call 697-0728.

Union Gap School District | Full-day kindergarten. Register at Union Gap School in April. For more information, call 248-3966.

West Valley School District | Full-day kindergarten. A district-wide informational meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. March 19 at Cottonwood Elementary. Registration begins March 23-27 at your home school; to determine your school boundary, call the district’s transportation department at 966-2403

Yakima School District | Full-day kindergarten. Registration begins March 2-6 at your neighborhood school. Students are required to attend their boundary school; to determine which boundary you live in, call Central Registration at 573-7024 or see the map at yakimaschools.org.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Agapeland Preschool & Kindergarten | Preschool (3 years) through kindergarten. Location: 560 McGonagle Road, Selah. 697-6116. Online: selahcov.com

Grace Lutheran School | Preschool (4 years) through grade 8. Location: 1207 S. Seventh Ave., Yakima; 457-6611. Online: gracelutheranyakima.org
An open house for new students will be from 1-5 p.m. March 22. Or, call to arrange a tour anytime.

Montessori School of Yakima | Preschool (3 years) through kindergarten. Location: 511 N. 44th Ave., Yakima. 966-0680. Online: msofy.org

One mama shares why she loves Montessori

By Debbie Vuillemot

We are the parents of 4 children: Orion,7; Anais, 5; Elias, 3; and Akira, 1.

When Orion was 3, we were overwhelmed with how many choices there were for preschool. We started off in a twice-weekly church preschool and quickly realized he needed more stimulation. One of my co-workers told me about Montessori School of Yakima (MSY) where her child attended.

Read more….

Oakridge Montessori School | Preschool (2 years) through grade 8. Location: 6403 Summitview Ave., Yakima; 966-1080. Online: oakridgemontessorischool.com

Riverside Christian School | Preschool through grade 12. Location: 721 Keys Road, Yakima; 965-2602. Online: riversidechristianschool.com

St. Joseph Marquette Catholic School | Pre-K through grade 8. Location: 202 N. Fourth St., Yakima; 575-5557. Online: sjmms.org
An open house for prospective students will be from 5-6:30 p.m. Feb. 5. Or, call to arrange a tour anytime. Add your name to the school’s waiting list now; admission for new students will begin in late February.

St. Paul Cathedral School | Preschool (4 years) through grade 8. Location: 1214 W. Chestnut Ave., Yakima; 575-5604.

Westpark Christian Academy | Preschool (3 years) through grade 12. Location: 3902 Summitview Ave., Yakima; 966-1632. Online: diversityexcels.org

Yakima Adventist Christian School | Kindergarten through grade 10. Location: 1200 City Reservoir Road, Yakima. 966-1933. Online: www.yacsschool.org
Education Day will be April 9; preregistration is required. Prospective students will spend the day in a classroom and take assessment tests.

One mama shares why she loves Montessori

By Debbie Vuillemot

We are the parents of 4 children: Orion,7; Anais, 5; Elias, 3; and Akira, 1.

When Orion was 3, we were overwhelmed with how many choices there were for preschool. We started off in a twice-weekly church preschool and quickly realized he needed more stimulation. One of my co-workers told me about Montessori School of Yakima (MSY) where her child attended.

The focus is hands-on, concrete learning by the child and child-driven choices from activities made available by the teacher. Teachers are trained to observe the child and provide what the child needs at any given time, changing as the child changes. This education technique was developed by Maria Montessori, an Italian physician, who became interested in the plight of children and changed her career focus to understanding the true nature of the child. She was also active in the women’s rights movement in the early 1900s and was an advocate for peace.

The classes are set up in three-year age spans (3-6 yrs and 6-9yrs) so children can learn from each other as well as from an adult. The adult serves as a guide to help children learn to do tasks by themselves. In preschool and kindergarten, lessons are given individually to the child and then the child can choose which “work” to engage with during the day. There is also music, circle time (or triangle or square time), books and games. In the elementary class, the children learn in a more social setting and lessons are usually in small groups. The child self directs but does have requirements in standard academic areas.

The great thing about the Montessori way is the spill over to our home. We hear the way the older children teach the younger ones when we listen to their play. In recent conversations between our 5 year old and 3 year old: “Let’s count our fruit snacks. Now eat one and let’s count again.” “I say a word, now you rhyme it.” “Elias, did you have a lesson today?”

The other thing we love is community. We’ve developed friendships with other families and their children who are all learning in the same way.

MSY is non-profit and has been in operation for more than 40 years. All of the teachers are Montessori certified — and wonderful! Before- and after-school care is available. There are four preschool/K classrooms and one first-through-third grade classroom. Parents are part of the board. Visitors are always welcome by appointment. Call 966-0680. We’re located in Englewood Christian Church at 511 N 44th Ave in Yakima. Website: www.msofy.org

Debbie Vuillemot is a mother of four, professional midwife and serves on the board of the Montessori School of Yakima.