| The Watertown/Oakville community has a new Family Resource Center. The idea to establish a Family Resource Center grew out of a recommendation from “Watertown’s Community Conversations Concerning Early Childhood Education” in which members of the community met to identify the needs of families and young children in Watertown and Oakville. These meetings were funded through grants from the Connecticut Community Foundation, the William Caspar Graustien Memorial Fund and the League of Women voters.
The Watertown Family Resource Planning Committee is comprised of a group of community volunteers who have an interest in developing a community-based system of family support. The mission of the Watertown Family Resource Center (FRC) is to nurture the healthy development of the family, to strengthen the bond between the school and the family, and to help every child be ready for school. The FRC will provide opportunities (at no cost) for all Watertown/Oakville families to participate in special programs to support school readiness, foster literacy skills, and encourage parent and community participation.
The FRC began its activities in September, 2007. The monthly literacy program, “Bedtime Stories”, for preschool children continues to be enjoyed by many families. In addition, "Storytime Pals" a literacy program for kindergarten children began.The “Early Childhood Parents Make a Difference” newsletter is being distributed to all preschoolers. Preschool Collaboration between public and private preschool and childcare providers was established in January 2006 and is continuing with shared professional development and dialogue with the support of the FRC.
Literacy Bags are being enjoyed by families with children in kindergarten through 2nd grade. The bags go home on Wednesday and are returned on Monday, giving each family time to enjoy reading, playing a game and making a puzzle together. Families are enjoying the contents of the bags as language and a love of reading are fostered.
The FRC is supported by the Connecticut Community Foundation, The Leever Foundation, Naugatuck Savings Bank, Watertown Foundation, Thomaston Savings Bank, Watertown-Oakville Chamber of Commerce, John Trumbull Primary School PTO, and the Watertown Board of Education. The FRC Committee is dedicated to making the Watertown Family Resource Center an integral part of the community by meeting the changing needs of families.
We would like to thank all the families that participated in our literacy nights "Storytime Pals" for kindergarten age children and "Bedtime Stories" for preschool age children. Literacy nights will begin again in September for kindergarten age children.
A Parent Workshop was held on May 6, 2009 in the library at JTPS. "Are You Doing too Much for Your Child?" was the topic and it encouraged a lively discussion. I would like to thank all the Preschool Collaboration Partners and parents who attended. We will plan additional workshops for the fall. Please send topics of interest to be considered.
If you are interested in attending this program or learning more about the FRC, please e-mail us at frc@watertownctschools.org.
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