September 15, 2018 Early Childhood Conference

“Planting the Seeds for the Future”, Early Childhood Conference

Location: Greenville High School, 111 N Hillcrest, Greenville, MI 48838

Date: September 15, 2018

Time: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Stephanie Grant, PhD, LPC, Director of the Reach Parent- Child Program and Trauma Informed Communities.

During the keynote, Dr. Stephanie Grant will discuss what neurodevelopmental trauma is and provide an overview of how children from difficult places are often different and need different supports from their caregivers to be successful.

Early Childhood Conference Brochure 2018

Early Childhood Conference Registration Form 2018

Early Childhood Conference Vendor Registration Form 2018

2018 Summer Food Programs

FREE MEALS will be made available to children 18 years of age and under.  Some locations will accept  persons up to age 26 who are enrolled in an educational  program for the mentally or physically disabled that is recognized by a State or local public educational agency.   Children do not have to be enrolled in a summer education program or enrolled at the specific school districts to receive the meals.

PLEASE contact the location you would like to attend if you have any questions.

Click Here to see a list of Free Meal programs in Montcalm County 2018 Summer Food Programs

Nutrition

​​​​The specific nutritional choices you and your children make are crucial. Good nutrition is essential to good health and the American Academy of Pediatrics encourages parents to think of their nutritional decisions as health decisions.

Visit https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/nutrition/Pages/default.aspx for more information, ideas and tips.

2018 Easter Egg Hunt Events

Montcalm County 2018 Easter Egg Hunts and Events

March 24^th

Calvary Lutheran Church –  Carson City @ 10 AM

Central Michigan Sportsman Club Relay for Life Fundraiser –  Food, Games, Arts & Crafts – Starts at 11 AM – 1 PM – 4391 E Stanton Rd, Stanton

Ensley Park –  Register for bike prizes – Howard City @ 1 PM 

Blanchard Lanes – @ 10 AM (Check with them to make sure.)

March 31^st

Pine Township Park – Langston @ 11 AM

Crystal Township Park – @ 10 AM

Pearl Street Park – Greenville – Host: Shiloh Community Church @ 10 AM

Grove Park – Carson City @ 1 PM

Curtis Park – Edmore @ 10 AM

Robert Davis Memorial Park – McBride @ 10 AM

Mill Pond – Blanchard @ 1 PM

Petersen Park – Trufant @ 1 PM

March 31^st

Alpha Family Center – Greenville – Activities, Easter Bunny, Snacks @ 1 PM 

Lakeview Elementary Soccer Fields – Host: Lakeview Community Church – register for bike prizes @ 11 AM 

Anderson & Girls Orchard – @ 10:30 AM – Get there early! Photos with Easter Bunny: 9 Am – 11:30 AM

(Ladies of) Roughroads MC – Public Welcome! Egg Hunt, Games, Coloring Contest, Snacks – Starts at 12 PM – 3 PM –  

7257 Cutler Rd. Lakeview

Pine Grove Church – Stanton Easter “Egg”-Stravaganza –  Games, Snacks, Crafts, Giveaways, Egg Launcher, Free Family Photos – 

Starts at 11 AM – 1 PM

Central Montcalm MS Practice Fields – Host: Central Montcalm Community Church – register for bike prizes – @ 12 PM 

Greenville Bible Methodist – Prizes, Candy and Fun – @ 11 AM – 929 Greenbrier St.

Bible Wesleyan Church – Sheridan @ 11 AM – 8055 Castle Rd. (off M-57)

Click to view flyer to be able to print and share! Montcalm County 2018 Easter Egg Hunts and Events

Kindergarten and Preschool 2018-2019 School Year Registration Dates

Note: While we try to get information on all programs there may be some that we have missed, please contact your local school for more details.

Carson City Crystal

April 17th from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm at Carson City Elementary. We ask that you call the office to set up an appointment. Please bring certified birth certificate, shot/immunization record, personal ID for address verification, your child. During round up: vision screening, hearing screening, readiness assessment (by Kindergarten teacher), enrollment paperwork, bus orientation, and speech. For more information or if you have any questions, please contact the school office at (989) 584‐3130.

Central Montcalm

April 16th from 7:30 – 3:00 at Central Montcalm Elementary in Sheridan. We ask that you call the office to set up an appointment. For more information or if you have any questions, please contact the school office at (989) 831‐2500.

Greenville

April 19th from 4:30 – 8:00. Students will be registered at their home school based on your home address. We ask that you call the office to set up an appointment. For more information or if you have any questions, please call: Walnut Hills (616)754‐3688, Cedar Crest (616)754‐3641, Baldwin Heights (616)754‐3643, or Lincoln Heights (616)754‐9167.

Lakeview

April 18th at 2:00, 3:00, 5:00 and 6:00 at Lakeview Elementary. We ask that you call the office to set up an appointment. For more information or if you have any questions, please contact the school office at (989) 352‐8021.

Montabella

April 26th from 3:00 – 7:00 pm. We ask that you call the office to set up an appointment. For more information or if you have any questions, please contact the school office at (989) 427‐5414.

Tri County

April 17th Parent Meeting from 6:00 – 7:30 pm. For more details about the Kindergarten Parent Meeting please call the office at (231) 937‐4380.

Vestaburg

April 23rd at 5:00 & 6:00. Kindergarten Round up. We ask that you call the office to set up an appointment. For more information or if you have any questions, please contact the school office at (989) 268‐5284.

Preschool Registration

To register your child for a free or low cost public preschool opportunity in Montcalm County please fill out the 2018‐2019 Collaborative Preschool Application. Applications are available at local elementary schools, preschools, at  www.GreatStartMontcalm.org, www.eightCAP.org, or by calling (616) 225‐6146.

February is National Children’s Dental Health Month

When making important decisions about your children’s health and well-being, don’t forget about their teeth and gums. Compared to kids with poor oral health, children who establish good oral hygiene habits at a young age are more likely to continue excellent brushing and flossing as adults, experience far fewer dental problems throughout life, maintain a positive self-image, and perform better in school. As a parent, you play a vital role in helping kids establish proper dental care — and smiles — that last a lifetime.

Early dental care prevents dental diseases.

Developing good oral hygiene is also the first line of defense against many common dental issues, such as plaque, gum disease and cavities. Studies show that dental decay is the most common chronic childhood disease in the U.S., and left untreated, may lead to pain and infection that cause problems with speaking, eating and overall health.

Teach children the importance of good oral hygiene.

The good news is that cavities are almost completely preventable with regular visits to the dentist and consistent dental care at home. Parents can help their children maintain healthy teeth and gums by encouraging the following habits:

• Begin good oral health habits as soon as your baby’s teeth are visible. Start by using a washcloth to gently clean your children’s teeth and gums.
• Teach your children to brush all surfaces of their teeth for two minutes, twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Assist your children until they are able to brush by themselves.
• Floss between your children’s teeth and along the gum line to remove trapped food and plaque that lead to gingivitis and decay.
• Make oral hygiene fun by letting your children choose their kid-friendly toothbrush and toothpaste in their favorite color, character, or flavor.
• Sing a song or play a video while brushing to make time pass quickly and to ensure your children are brushing for the full two minutes.
• Encourage your children to brush their teeth immediately after drinking juice or eating candy to prevent decay.
• Avoid giving children too many sugary foods and drinks, especially between meals, which promote decay and cause enamel damage.
• Increase water intake throughout the day to help neutralize the acids that cause cavities.

Establish a healthy relationship with your child’s dentist.

Finally, one of the most important ways to maintain a healthy smile for your children is to schedule regular checkups with their dentist. Choose a dentist who understands the unique development of children’s smiles and specializes in dentistry for kids — from infancy through adolescence. Following a thorough cleaning and evaluation, your child’s dentist can discuss cleaning techniques for keeping your kid’s teeth cavity-free, as well as answer any questions concerning your child’s oral health.

For additional information on A Healthy Mouth for Your Baby visit the following website:

https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/ToothDecay/AHealthyMouthforYourBaby.htm