June 12, 2009
DSBN Parent and Family Literacy Centres Give
Children a Boost in Early Learning
Families across the Niagara Region will soon have access to more resources to support their children’s development and early learning needs. In September, the District School Board of Niagara will open four new Parent and Family Literacy Centres (PFLC) located in Fort Erie North, Niagara Falls, St. Catharines and Welland.
The centres, which help prepare children from infancy to six years of age for school through a variety of engaging and educationally appropriate programming, are being created with the support of a $372,000 grant from the Ministry of Education.
DSBN Chair Kevin Maves credits Board Trustees, Director of Education Warren Hoshizaki and Superintendent Carol Germyn for presenting the Ministry with a compelling case for such a significant investment. “Investments in education are among the best that a government can make. The dividends they yield are energized, confident young boys and girls well prepared to enter school and achieve success,” says Maves.
The four public schools selected as the inaugural sites for these innovative new centres include Kate S. Durdan in Niagara Falls, Lincoln Centennial in St. Catharines, Plymouth in Welland and Rose Seaton in Fort Erie. These schools were selected after extensive consultations with Niagara Region Public Health, Ontario Early Years Centres, Best Start Programs, Native Friendship Centre, Child’s World Day Care Centres, Region of Niagara, and Business Education Council.
The PFLCs will invite parents to spend time with their children in a school setting. There, they participate with their children in games, stories and activities designed to help foster social and emotional growth, while aiding in the development of important communication, reading and math skills.
“When parents work together as partners with educators to engage their children in education, it has a profound, positive effect on their learning,” says Hoshizaki. “These new centres will be a tremendous asset to their communities.”
While offering important educational resources, the centres will also link families to important community services such as special needs, health and other related services.
“Now, more than ever, there is great need in the Niagara community to invest in our childrens’ futures. Our Parent and Family Literacy Centres will be an important foundation for both the children and parents, and the communities in which they live,” says Germyn.
With the site selection completed, the Board can now proceed with preparing the PFLCs for their September opening. Preparations will include purchasing books, toys and other educational materials for children and their families. In the months to come, the Board will also be hiring new staff. “It is very encouraging, that even in these difficult economic times, that we are able to expand our resources to benefit more children and create jobs in the community,” says Maves.