Adminfo - and Vice Principals

will become bored because they’ll be
fascinated to watch the changes that
come as their children grow and develop.
“Every time they come, something
is learned.” The current group of parents
is eager to help lead songs, play
instruments and make play-dough.
Guy Epkens-Shaffer, principal of
Muriel Mould Primary School in
Burns Lake, is delighted at the response
to the program in his school.
He said it offers a natural transition
for children and their families.
The K to 3 primary school serves
139 students. Half the students are
First Nations coming mostly from
three bands in the community. He
said formal education was a negative
experience for some of their parents,
but this program helps parents and
children feel comfortable in a school.
In addition, the number of kindergarten
students has been declining.
The school had 62 children a few years
ago. It’s down to 23 now. Epkens-
Shaffer is optimistic StrongStart will
keep the kindergarten numbers up.
About $20,000 of the $50,000 that
came with Ministry approval was
used to modify the classroom space
and purchase early childhood materials.
The remainder is being used for
operating expenses.
“We’ve had unbelievably strong
support from the community and the
College of New Caledonia,” he said.
The school was delighted to find an
early childhood educator from one
of the First Nations bands to lead the
program. Sarah Green had just completed
her training and returned to
Burns Lake two weeks before receiving
a call from the school.
The program was launched in November
and the number of participants
has been rising steadily with an
average of 10 children coming every
day even in the dead of winter.
StrongStart programs are run by
a steering committee of volunteers
committed to and knowledgeable
about early childhood education. In
the case of Muriel Mould, the committee
includes the principal and representatives
from a nearby preschool,
the college and public library.
They meet regularly and provide
support so that the facilitator can respond
quickly to needs and changing
circumstances. The Muriel Mould
committee decided that more should
be done to reach out to parents and
preschoolers in the general community
and nearby bands. Green will use
Thursday afternoon program time for
this purpose. In addition, taxi vouchers
will be provided to help families
overcome transportation challenges
in the district.
Facilitators receive a framework to
help them plan activities to develop
pre-literacy skills through purposeful
play. They also use their own skills
and experience to keep activities fresh
and fitted to the needs
and interests of the
participants. In addition
to organizing
age-appropriate activities
and preparing
healthy snacks,
Green said she models
behaviour for the
adults. She has two
children herself —
a three-year old and
six-month old. Her
husband has brought
them on occasion
and that encourages
other fathers to participate
as well.
Several of the children
coming to the
program are suspected
to have Fetal
Alcohol Spectrum
Disorder.. “They are
one of my targets —
at-risk families,” she
said. In addition to making sure the
space can accommodate children at a
variety of ages, she designed the room
with non-distracting natural wood
and muted colours. “That may be a
unique feature of this program.”
Schools that have welcomed Strong-
Start are hoping to hear soon that
current levels of funding will be available
next year as well. The Ministry
has not confirmed there is long-term
funding.
Raymond said, “There’s so much
research that children who come
with greater language and social skills
and emotional development will do
much better in school.” She said she’s
looking forward to seeing if Strong-
Start makes a difference for these preschool
children. Her instincts tell her
it will.
Leslie Dyson is a regular contributor
to Adminfo. She can be reached by
email at dyson@uniserve.com
DAD_3.437x4.937BW_3 1/10/08 3:48 PM Page 1
Do you need help implementing
the Guidelines for
Food and Beverage
Sales in BC Schools
An initiative of
these BC Healthy Living
Alliance members
Call
Dial-A-Dietitian
Greater Vancouver
604-732-9191
Toll-free in BC
1-800-667-3438
To find packaged and franchised
foods and beverages that meet
the BC Guidelines visit
www.brandnamefoodlist.ca
February 08 • Adminfo • 13