It's our LAST month of Play-and-Learns this school year. Please join us at one of our four locations this Month (Allegan, Fennville, Plainwell, Wayland)
We had so much fun yesterday at the Allegan Aquatic Center with 14 of our Allegan County families!! We look forward to seeing more families at our FREE “Let’s Talk About Nature” event May 19th at the Holland Outdoor Discovery Center. Register online at https://bit.ly/joinGSFC
This week the House and Senate passed their versions of the Fiscal Year 2024 school aid budget. I am pleased to announce that I am excited about these recommended numbers. These recommendations are historic in size, scope, and potential impact on the students and families served by Allegan Area ESA.
Some of the key recommendations include:
Historic funding for special education
Increased Early Literacy funding
Groundbreaking changes to Great Start Readiness Program services and funding
Including ISDs (like Allegan Area ESA) eligible for mental health and safety funding
Increased funding to support the well-being of students and staff
I am grateful to the subcommittees, led by former teachers, for their excellent work. I thank our area legislators for continuing to put our students first and placing a priority on their education and well-being. Thus, supporting our vision to "Ensure every learner, school, and community thrives".
I look forward to working together with our legislators to ensure future academic success for all students.
Yours in Education,
William Brown
Allegan Area ESA Superintendent
As you get outside this spring or summer try "Welcoming Wonder (And Endless Questions!) With (your) Kids". Read more at https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/welcoming-wonder-and-endless-questions-with-kids
We've been talking about Nature/Earth all month. Now it's time to STEP IT UP with our local Allegan County Health Department from May 2nd-June 24th. Register and check out their full list of events at miottawa.org/stepitup.
Resilience: Advocates for Ending Violence is hosting a 4 week educational series called "Self-Empowerment for Survivors" throughout May in-person (11am-12pm) and online (6-7pm). Please email to RSVP.
Join Ms. Laurie Zywiczynski at Dorr Township Library for a fun Creepy Crawly Night on May 8th from 5:30-6:30pm. Free books will be handed out to families!
Mark your calendars for our upcoming Household Hazardous Waste Event at Harding's Market (300 Reno Drive, Wayland) on Saturday, May 6, in Wayland from 9 am to 12 pm!
Giving babies the recommended vaccinations by age two is the best way to protect them from serious childhood illnesses like whooping cough (pertussis) and measles. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/downloads/parent-ver-sch-0-6yrs.pdf
A Grief Support Group is being held every Thursday morning, starting this week, from 8-9:30am at Positive Options in Allegan (114 Chestnut Street). It is open to anyone dealing with grief. You are NOT alone.
My Way to Wellness is a FREE online nutrition program offered by MSU Extension for individuals living in Michigan who are eligible for supplemental food assistance. https://www.canr.msu.edu/my_way_to_wellness/
We would like to THANK all of our Great Start Collaborative VOLUNTEER STARS through United Way of Ottawa and Allegan Counties.
Ms. Kelli Stuifbergen had a wonderful time "Talking About Caring for the Earth" with families at her Plainwell play-and-learn this month. Thank you for joining the fun!
Ms. Laurie Zywiczynski had a wonderful time "Talking About Caring for the Earth" with families at her Wayland play-and-learn this month. Thank you for joining the fun!
Ms. Dolores Benincasa had a wonderful time "Talking About Caring for the Earth" with families at her Fennville (bilingual) and Allegan play-and-learns this month. Thank you for joining the fun!
We are "Talking About Caring for the Earth" and Earth Day is April 22nd this month. Our partner, WGVU, has "15 Fun Ways to Celebrate Earth Day Together" at https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/15-ways-to-celebrate-earth-day-with-kids
Allegan Area ESA
Job Opportunity
Position: Early On Speech Language Pathologist
Location: Education Service Center
Date posted: 4/20/2023
Date available: Immediately
For more information or to apply - follow this link.
https://www.applitrack.com/aasac/OnlineApp/JobPostings/View.asp?AppliTrackJobId=5567
TODAY (April 20th) is Play-and-Learn Day in Plainwell for children ages 0-5 years old at 10:30am at Ransom District Library! Come join the fun and take home one of these fun books.
TODAY (April 19th) is Play-and-Learn Day in Fennville for children ages 0-5 years old at 11:30am at Fennville District Library! Come join the fun and take home this fun bilingual book.
