Frey speaks at Kiwanis

Jan Barnes introduced Anita Frey, parent educator/coordinator of the Even Start Family Literacy Program, who spoke at the March 8 Kiwanis noon luncheon meeting at the Lantern Room. Frey, who is in her third year here, said Even Start is an educational program for low-income families that is designed to improve the academic achievement of young children along with their parents. Goals are to help parents improve their literacy skills, to help parents become full partners in educating their children, and to help children reach their full potential as learners by the time they start kindergarten. Many parents get their GED and some go on to college.

The students meet at Gussner Elementary School from 8:30 a.m. to 2:55 p.m. Monday through Thursday. A federal grant provides the children with a free breakfast, lunch, snack and transportation to and from school. Eleven children are enrolled at this time; the program may have up to 15 students. It is a year-round program in which parents and children experience the joy of learning together. Frey expressed appreciation to the Kiwanis Club for the monetary gift which enabled the purchase of 110 Scholastic books which the children will be able to take home as their own.

Galen Rasmussen conducted the meeting, Tim Burchill and Kenrad Pederson led the singing and Jim Lees collected “Happy Dollars” for the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center. Kiwanis members will attend the National Agriculture Week Luncheon at Shady’s at noon Wednesday for this week’s Kiwanis meeting.

Monetary funds were given to Polar Plunge, Special Olympics, Anne Carlson Center, Jamestown Hospital for a central fetal monitoring system and a new grill was purchased for Pancake Day, scheduled from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 3 at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

Kent Horton will introduce Steve Grenz of Lloyds Electronics to speak at the March 22 noon luncheon meeting at the Lantern Room. He will talk about computers.

Tags: community, clubs, frey, kiwanis