Category Archives: Preschool

100 Ways to Give: donation of children’s books

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The English department’s full-time and adjunct faculty worked to collect more than 100 books for the GRCC Laboratory Preschool. The donation was presented at the preschool’s 40th anniversary celebration — which was held during GRCC’s 100th anniversary community picnic on Saturday.

Thanks to the English department’s Kim Wyngarden, Joan Gearns and Megan Coakley, who coordinated the project, and to Tali and Davita (the daughters of Rachel Lutwick-Deaner), and Ellie Coakley (a preschool student and daughter of Megan Coakley) who helped to deliver the books.

Missed the chance to help with this project? Don’t worry — many other 100 Ways to Give projects are still taking place. Click here to learn more.

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Preschool celebrates anniversary during community picnic

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GRCC’s laboratory preschool is throwing a reunion to celebrate its 40th anniversary during the college’s 100th anniversary community picnic on September 13!

Former and current preschool employees and families are invited to a special gathering during the picnic — they’ll meet from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Ford Fieldhouse’s wrestling room.

Community Picnic evite

GRCC In the News, 7-29-14

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Summer Games to Play

July 2014; Beacon (newsletter for the Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children)

Cootie Catcher Nature Game

Here is an idea for older preschoolers and school age kids to get them outdoors and in touch with nature during the summer months. Most children can make their own Cootie Catchers with a little help from an adult or older child. This activity is a wonderful way to develop vocabulary and encourage creative problem-solving. It can be done anywhere outdoors on the sidewalk, in the backyard, or in a park.

(Article written by Maureen Milarch, from GRCC’s preschool.)

Inside Track: Walker chief marks 40 years in law enforcement this year

July 25, 2014; Grand Rapids Business Journal

Catherine Garcia-Lindstrom stands as a much-needed example of how law enforcement can be an accepting and viable career path for women and members of minority communities.

… Business/Community Involvement: Michigan Crime Victims Appeal Board chairperson, chairperson of the Police Academy Advisory Board for GVSU, member of the Police Academy Advisory Committee at GRCC, member of the Criminal Justice advisory committee for KCTC, member and former president of the Old Newsboys Goodfellow Fund of Detroit, World Medical Relief board member.

ABA’s Chicago Steam signs Roy Jackson of Flint, same league that launched Dr. J’s legendary career

July 28,2014; MLive

FLINT, MI — If you follow Roy Jackson on any of his social media accounts, then you’re already aware that he eats, sleeps and breathes the game of basketball.

… His father, Teddy Jackson, wasn’t the only one in his corner when things got rough, his mother Delois Jackson, sister Lakrisha Jackson and girlfriend Dynasia Walker were there to uplift him, too. Prior to attending UAPB, Jackson enjoyed a solid two-year career at Grand Rapids Community College from 2010-12.

GRCC In the News, 6-20-14

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GRCC’s Culinary School Named Among Top 20 in Country

June 19, 2014; The River 100.5

Grand Rapids Community College’s Secchia Institute for Culinary Education has been named one of America’s Top 20 Culinary Schools by FSR magazine.

Rookie driver wins bet with dad, payout leads to checkered flag at Berlin Raceway

June 19, 2014; MLive

CEDAR SPRINGS — It’s a safe bet that Austin Hull’s father wont be making another bet with his son anytime soon.

… Here’s how Hull won the bet: He attended classes this year at Grand Rapids Community College and is pursuing an associate’s degree in automotive technology. He plans to keep the ride because his goal is to continue his education at either Ferris State University or the University of Northern Ohio once he finishes up at GRCC.

Changing Stereotypes Men Face

June 2014/Beacon (newsletter for the Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children)

I have had the experience of being a male early childhood educator for the past fourteen years. During this time I have had the luxury of working with a diverse population of children and their families. These experiences have included rural, suburban, and urban environments. These have afforded me the opportunities to successfully identify and meet the educational needs of an ever-changing population.

My current position as a lab instructor at the Grand Rapids Community College Laboratory Preschool has, and continues to allow me, to seek further opportunities for children to extend their learning. In addition, the laboratory also provides college students, who enter our classrooms, a chance to gain practical experiences to become more successful educators. Working with students at this level also gives them the skills to more fully understand the developmental needs of the children. Furthermore, this shared responsibility of guiding students contributes to my responsibilities as a mentor, specifically for male teachers entering the field.

(Article written by Andrew Wolinski, from GRCC’s Laboratory Preschool.)

GRCC In the News, 5-30-14

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Michigan governor highlights shortage of skilled workers at business policy conference

May 30, 2014; clickondetroit.com

MACKINAC ISLAND, Mich. – Michigan can gain a competitive edge over other states by filling a skills gap that leads to good jobs going unfilled because of a lack of qualified candidates, Gov. Rick Snyder said Thursday.

… A similar program is Grand Rapids Community College’s Advanced Manufacturing Partnership.

Sarah Waller: The Tech Center’s Iron Chef

May 30, 2014; schoolnewsnetwork.org (Kent Intermediate School District newsletter)

Kent ISD, MI — Let it be said here and now OK, so written here and now that the raspberry patch in my back yard cannot grow fast enough, and I have a diminutive warrior of a teaching chef to blame.

… Sarah (Waller) learned from among the best, beginning with instructors with the award-winning culinary program at Grand Rapids Community College, where she enrolled in 2001.

Campaign launched to spread the word about free preschool in Kent County

May 29, 2014; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – If your child will be age 3 or 4 by Wednesday, Oct. 1, Kent County educators and children’s advocates want you to apply for free preschool through either through the Great Start Readiness Program, Head Start or private scholarships.

… Free preschool partners in Kent County include Great Start Readiness Programs, which is sponsored by Grand Rapids Public Schools, David D. Hunting YMCA, Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative, Grand Rapids Ellington Academy of Arts and Technology, Head Start, Hope Academy, and Grand Rapids Community College. More partners will be added in June 2014.

Grand Rapids’ downtown housing market has reached ‘a point of critical mass,’ report concludes

May 29, 2014; MLive

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Grand Rapids downtown apartment market has reached a point of critical mass that is likely to attract new investors and new developers, a Chicago-based commercial real estate firm concluded in a report published this week.

… One exception was the Lofts at 5 Lyon, a former office building that has been converted to student housing. Rents in the building near Grand Rapids Community College are at $2.31 per square foot the most expensive in the downtown market, thanks to the owners ability get $2,480 a month for a 4-bedroom apartment.

Silver Line bus to start running in August

May 29, 2014; WOOD TV

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The new Silver Line bus system will start running to downtown Grand Rapids a matter of months.

… Thirty-four stops have been set up on the Silver Line route, four of which are still under construction. The bus route will run down Division Avenue and then loop by Mercy Health Saint Mary, the community college and the Medical Mile; along Monroe Avenue downtown; and then around to The Rapid central station off Grandville Avenue SW.

Incoming Volleyball Class Named to PrepVolleyball.coms Top 100

May 29, 2014; cmuchippewas.com

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — PrepVolleyball.com has included Central Michigan’s 2014 recruiting class in its national Top 100.

… The Chippewas will also benefit in the back row as 5-11 junior Nicole Czehowski transfers from Grand Rapids Community College, where she played on the Raiders National Junior College Athletic Association Division II National Championship team in 2012.

 

Preschool seeks donations for Diaper Drive

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The GRCC Preschool is collecting change and diapers for a Diaper Drive sponsored by The Great Start Parent Coalition of Kent County May 12th through May 23rd. Bring change to Jeanne at the Preschool and diapers and/or change to Staci in the Education Department (Room 13 of the Data Center)The Facts

  • 1 out of every 4 babies born in Kent County is born into poverty.
  • Safety net programs, such as W.I.C. and food stamps, do NOT cover the costs of diapers.
  • Most childcare centers do not accept cloth diapers, and parents must supply a steady stream of disposable diapers. Furthermore, many families have limited access to laundry facilities and many coin-op laundry facilities cannot allow cloth diapers for health reasons.
  • An adequate supply of disposable diapers can cost up to $75 per month.

The Impacts

  • Many babies are often forced to spend the entire day or longer in a single diaper, because the family cannot afford to buy an adequate supply.
  • Inadequate diaper changing increases the risk of numerous health problems.
  • Studies show a baby crying from being in a soiled diaper for a prolonged period of time is at a greater risk of physical abuse by the caregiver.

Preschool seeks donations for Diaper Drive

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The GRCC Preschool is collecting change and diapers for a Diaper Drive sponsored by The Great Start Parent Coalition of Kent County May 12th through May 23rd.   Bring your diaper and/or change to either Jeanne at the Preschool or Staci in the Education Department (Room 13 of the Data Center)

The Facts

  • 1 out of every 4 babies born in Kent County is born into poverty.
  • Safety net programs, such as W.I.C. and food stamps, do NOT cover the costs of diapers.
  • Most childcare centers do not accept cloth diapers, and parents must supply a steady stream of disposable diapers. Furthermore, many families have limited access to laundry facilities and many coin-op laundry facilities cannot allow cloth diapers for health reasons.
  • An adequate supply of disposable diapers can cost up to $75 per month.

The Impacts

  • Many babies are often forced to spend the entire day or longer in a single diaper, because the family cannot afford to buy an adequate supply.
  • Inadequate diaper changing increases the risk of numerous health problems.
  • Studies show a baby crying from being in a soiled diaper for a prolonged period of time is at a greater risk of physical abuse by the caregiver.

Preschool celebrates Month of the Young Child

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For Month of the Young Child, the preschool has been recognizing the importance of a quality early childhood experience with various events. On April 10th, the preschool had a pajama day and welcomed the preschool families and GRCC staff to donate new pajamas for the clients of Bethany Christian Services. More than 150 pajamas for children were collected. This week, the focus was on cognitive development and the preschool shared some information about how fun experiences can build knowledge for young children. The children planted some parsley, cilantro and basil. They explored the life cycle of a plant and how a sprout will emerge from the seed and if we take care of it, the plant will flower and produce even more seeds that can be planted. As a final part of the project, some children even delivered the plants and a recipe to a few people in the Administration building.

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Join preschoolers in marking Pajama Day

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To celebrate the Month of the Young Child, the GRCC Preschool will be hosting a pajama day on Thursday, April 10th! Staff, students, and children across campus are encouraged wear their pajamas that day to support and encourage donations of new or gently used pajamas to benefit Bethany Christian Services. Donation boxes will be located both at the Preschool and in the Child Development/Education Office (266 Main).

Most of the children in need are in the foster care system and are waiting to be reunited with their family or adopted by a family. This project will highlight the importance of healthy social and emotional development for all children by allowing these children to feel safe and secure in their own pajamas. Larger sized pajamas (children’s sizes 6-12) are in higher demand, we will accept any size.

Thank you in advance for your participation!

Join Preschool for Pajama Day!

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To celebrate the Month of the Young Child, the GRCC Preschool will be hosting a pajama day on Thursday, April 10th! Staff, students, and children across campus are encouraged wear their pajamas that day to support and encourage donations of new or gently used pajamas to benefit Bethany Christian Services. Donation boxes will be located both at the Preschool and in the Child Development/Education Office (266 Main).

Most of the children in need are in the foster care system and are waiting to be reunited with their family or adopted by a family. This project will highlight the importance of healthy social and emotional development for all children by allowing these children to feel safe and secure in their own pajamas. Larger sized pajamas (children’s sizes 6-12) are in higher demand, we will accept any size.

Thank you in advance for your participation!