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ABOUT BRIGHTER BEGINNINGS
Brighter Beginnings is offered by Community Education to families who live within the West Des Moines Community School District boundaries. Parents with children from birth to kindergarten can enjoy this free program. Brighter Beginnings follows the Parents As Teachers (PAT) curriculum.
MISSION
To make the world brighter for parents and children by providing fun early childhood family learning, so parents can be their child’s most influential teacher.
PHILOSOPHY
Babies are born learning and their parents are their first and most influential teachers. These two simple truths are the foundation for Brighter Beginnings, a program to help parents with the most important career of their life – PARENTING.
Through Brighter Beginnings, parents are supported by professional educators who suggest ways to effectively teach and nurture young children. This home-school-community partnership offers the following:
• Information on child development from birth through kindergarten
• Events where parents share insights or concerns together
• Parenting classes
• Access to other opportunities and services in the community, as needed
Parents and children attend the free Brighter Beginning classes together. Class time is divided into time for parent/child activities and parent time without the children. During this time, parents discuss various topics with educators and other parents while children enjoy playtime and activities.
Classes are held at Valley United Methodist Church located at 4201 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines.
Participants are asked to label diaper bags and sippy cups and inform staff of any dietary allergies or other special needs. Participants may also bring a powered drink mix (tea, coffee or cocoa) to share with other parents during
discussion time.
2010-2011 Class Schedule*
| TODDLER I
(6 - 24 months) |
Fridays |
10:45 - 11:45 a.m. |
TODDLER II
(2 - 3 1/2 years)
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Tuesdays |
9:15 - 10:30 a.m. |
| Tuesdays |
10:45 a.m. - Noon |
| Fridays |
9:15 - 10:30 a.m. |
| PRESCHOOL
(3 1/2 - 5 years)
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Wednesdays |
9:15 - 10:30 a.m. |
| Wednesdays |
10:45 a.m. - Noon |
SESSION I - September 14–December 10 -
Registration deadline Aug. 13
SESSION II - January 4–March 9 -
Registration deadline Dec.3
SESSION III - March 22–May 13 -
Registration deadline Feb. 25
* Class times remain the same throughout all three sessions.
* Please do not send in your registration form more than
2 weeks prior to the session deadline.
REGISTRATION
Brighter Beginnings Registration Card
Please complete the registration card and mail or return the card to Community Education, 3550 Mills Civic Parkway, West Des Moines, IA 50265-5556. Registration is limited to ONE class time per family, per session so we can serve as many families as possible. A separate registration card is necessary for EACH session. Please do not send in your registration card more than 2 weeks prior to the session deadline.
If you are interested in receiving further information please contact Sonja LeSher via email or at (515) 633-5009.
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Contact
Information
Sonja
LeSher
Program Coordinator
Learning Resource Center
3550 Mills Civic Parkway
West Des Moines, IA 50265
(515) 633-5009
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