The Parents as Teachers (PAT) program is a part of the Columbia Public School district. We are devoted to early childhood education, which begins at birth and continues through the earliest years of elementary school. The school district is currently facing a budget crisis, which is requiring that the district reduce spending for the 2009-2010 school year by over four million dollars.
     Like most other programs, departments and buildings in our school district, Parents as Teachers has been asked to reduce our budget as well. In order to meet this expectation, we are faced with the decision to reduce the number of newsletters we can publish each year. Beginning with this issue, we will publish our newsletter every three months instead of every two months. The budget reductions have also resulted in a growing waiting list of families who have requested our services. If you know any family on this list, please ask for their patience and let them know that PAT is worth the wait.
     Our newsletter will continue to include information about our group meetings and activity events; articles that target specific age groups; entries from our Partner in Education, the Columbia Public Library; activity ideas, a calendar of events and the popular Parents Place page. We also post our newsletter on-line as part of the school district’s website www.columbia.k12.mo.us/pat. We appreciate you understanding that PAT has to trim their budget just like many people in the community are also doing during these difficult economic times.

Belinda Masters, Coordinator, Parents As Teachers

Parent & Child Activities

Down on the Farm
Tuesday, May. 19
Nifong Park

Nifing Blvd & Ponderosa St.

5:00 to 6:15 pm .. Infants to 36 months
6:30 to 7:45 pm .. Infants and children 36 months to 5 years (Pre-Kdg)

• Outdoor Games

• Art & Nature Activities

• Animal Excursions Program ...funded by the CPS Foundation

RAIN DATE: Wednesday, May 20

Hearing & Vision
Screenings

for ages 6 months to 5 years
PAT office, 555 Vandiver.

Wednesday, April 22          
9:30 to 11:30 am

Wednesday, June 17
4:30 to 6:30 pm
(No screenings scheduled in January)

No appointment is necessary.
Please sign in upon arrival.

Hearing screenings are offered through the MU School of Health Professions.
Vision screenings are offered through the Mo. Lions Eye Research Foundation.
 

Parents & Infants
to 12 months

10:30 - 11:30 am
Columbia Public Library
Friends Room

Monday, April 6
Nutrition

Monday, May 11
Summer Fun & Safety

The Parents and Infants group meetings will resume in September.

Messy Night for Preschoolers

...3 to 5 year olds...
(pre-Kindergarten)

Monday June 8, 2009
6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Cosmo Park - Burford Shelter
1615 Business Loop 70 West

• Enjoy paints, water play, mud, sand and lots more!

• Wear old clothes and shoes.

• Bring a towel and a change of clothes for your child. Wipes and water bottles can also be helpful.

RAIN DATE: Tuesday, June 9