‘Early Learning Jamboree’ set to educate the many

Scott Turner

If you’re the parent or guardian of a preschool age child, Peninsula School District invites you to a free Early Learning Jamboree and Kindergarten Kickoff on Mar. 21 at the Gig Harbor YMCA.

According to PSD Board Member Harlan Gallinger, the Jamboree will bring together parents, teachers, school administrators and community groups so families can learn about the early opportunities available for youngsters on the Key Peninsula and throughout the Gig Harbor area.

“We want to make early learning the normal, routine thing everywhere in our school district,” Gallinger said.

He wants the community to know that early learning is important and it’s fun and it’s something that everyone can do.

“It doesn’t just mean sitting down and reading a book with your child –– although that’s a very important part of it. It encompasses so much more. It’s the whole child development including social, emotional, gross motor, cognitive and so forth,” Gallinger said.

Early learning applies to “anything between birth and age 6,” he added.

He said learning doesn’t only happen in the classroom. Early learning also includes summer camps, sports programs and other kid-centric activities.

The Jamboree is a collaboration between the Y, PSD, the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce and the Gig Harbor/Key Peninsula Early Learning Coalition, which Gallinger chairs.

Other participants include Key Peninsula Parks, Pierce County libraries, Communities In Schools Peninsula, Children’s Home Society and even the Pierce County mobile immunization clinic, he said.

Pediatrics Northwest will also be there handing out free books to each child as part of their Reach Out and Read program.

Local preschool programs will showcase the opportunities they provide for young children. And the Jamboree will also be an opportunity for families to register their children for kindergarten for the 2015-16 school year.

There will also be many activities for kids, free food and free transportation to and from the YMCA, courtesy of the school district.

“We’re doing everything we can to get Key Peninsula families to come to this event, whether they go to public schools or private schools,” Gallinger said.

The event is free.

For information, contact Gallinger at gallingerh@psd401.net.

Want to go?

Peninsula School District and the Tom Taylor YMCA present a special Early Learning Jamboree and Kindergarten Kickoff Saturday, Mar. 21 at the YMCA in Gig Harbor.

The free event runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free transportation to and from the event will be provided by PSD. Many local organizations will be on hand to provide information about their programs and activities. There will also be free food, raffles and activities for children and YMCA facilities (including the pool) will be open to all families who attend.

Bus schedule JAMBOREE YMCA