Cornerstone February Update

This month the Chehalis School District has celebrated Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month. You may have seen photos of high school students in their CTE class posted on the district's Facebook page. Did you know there are 28 CTE courses running this semester at W.F. West where students get the chance to explore careers, gain real-world skills and have opportunities for college and career success?

CTE is not just for high schoolers - we can talk about different careers as early as preschool. Parents can help their children understand that it takes many different people in our community to make everything work.

In his book, There's A Hat For That, author Kevin Fleming gives parents a developmentally appropriate way to help children explore possibilities for when they grow up.

We often ask children, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Fleming suggests this question implies there should be one fixed answer. But it is more likely that children will experiment with many occupations and explore multiple careers throughout their life.

Fleming tells parents, "At all ages, children show interests, abilities, gifts, and unfulfilled potential. Observing these subtle signs and encouraging exploration towards activities that align with their personality will point them towards satisfying and meaningful careers."

At Cornerstone, we realize this topic is appropriate for people of all ages. Many adults find themselves ready to change careers, or look for new opportunities in their work life. We love to meet with parents to talk about Parent Scholarships for employment licenses & credentials and undergraduate degrees. We can provide one-on-one assistance with:

• Dave Ramsey Career Assessments
• Resume Support
• College Tours
• GED support
• College Enrollment

It's never too early - and never too late, to discover a world of career possibilities. Take a few minutes to listen to the short story, "There's A Hat For That!" in the video below.

The transition from pre-school to kindergarten can be a major step for young children. To help parents prepare their children for their first day of “big kid” school, the Chehalis School District is planning three BIG Kinder events:

• Kindergarten Kick-off - April 11
• The Kindergarten Carnival - July 20
• Kindergarten Camp - summer

Mark your calendars and help us spread the word!

Kindergarten Kick-off

The kick-off to kindergarten is Kindergarten Registration. In Chehalis, this is a "drive through" event between 5 and 7 p.m. on April 11, 2024 at Lintott Elementary. Parents can bring their children to pick up packets of information designed to help you get everything ready to enroll your child online. During the online registration, parents must submit proof of residency and a birth certificate.

This is also the time to make an appointment for your child's kindergarten screening, which will take place sometime between June 3 and 7. Parents must complete the online registration before attending the screening. Don't miss this important first step in getting your child ready for kindergarten. This staff-led event does not require volunteers.

Kindergarten Carnival

All outgoing AND incoming kindergarteners are invited to our first ever Kindergarten Carnival on July 20, 2024. In partnership with United Way and the Summit Learning Center, the Chehalis School District is sponsoring an interactive time with carnival booth games, resources, and supplies to make early learning fun! The Kindergarten Carnival will keep learning going for those students who just finished a year in kindergarten. It will also help prepare kids who are getting ready for their first year at school. This will be a big day, and additional help from parent volunteers will be appreciated.

Kindergarten Camp

At a summer date yet to be determined, we are hosting the first ever Kindergarten Camp. This event is designed to help young learners practice the skills necessary for a successful first year at school. Volunteers will help campers practice large motor skills like running and skipping. Campers will also practice fine motor skills like coloring and cutting with scissors. We are looking for volunteers to help make this BIG Kinder event a huge success.

If you know a preschooler's parent, pass this information along so they can mark their calendars.

If you would like to help at Kindergarten Carnival or Camp as a volunteer, give us a call. Phone numbers are listed below:

The next class in our parent education series is called, "Guiding Kids to Own and Solve Their Own Problems." Bring your family for dinner, and stay for a one hour class - complete with childcare!

Some kids have a hard time confronting life’s problems and they end up making poor decisions. As parents and teachers, we want our kids to grow into adults who can solve problems and make good decisions. Love and Logic helps parents and teachers guide their kids to be accountable for the problems they create—and guide them in a way that increases the love and respect their kids feel for them.

We invite you to learn how to guide your children to solve their own problems. Register for this new Love and Logic class by texting or calling 360-219-7267 or 360-219-3657.

Please let us know if you have questions, or would like to refer a friend. We are excited to have an office located in the old Olympic Elementary building on Salsbury Avenue. Our doors open at 8 am and drop-ins are welcome through noon.

You can also make an appointment by contacting Cecilia, DeeDee, or Jacey. Give us a call:

• Cecilia Jimenez 360-219-3657
• DeeDee Judd 360-219-7267
• Jacey Hinkle 360-219-3129

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