The saying is true – it takes a village to raise a child! We work with local, state, and national partners to bring important resources and information to Skagit Families and the folks who care for them. As part of the Early Learning Community, we share ideas and activities each month to help the more than 600 children served by local partners grow and develop in healthy ways!

Download the coloring book in Spanish or English!

The new year kicked off a six-week cooking class series in the Concrete Farm to School teaching kitchen. Classrooms from grades K-6 spent a class period each week making healthy dishes featuring local ingredients and then tasting their delicious creations! Parent and community volunteers joined the kitchen crew to provide invaluable support to the kids and our staff, while ingredients were purchased entirely with community donations from last year’s Giving Tuesday event. We’re proud that Farm to School has become a key part of building a resilient Concrete community. You can share your support for our work by donating here

A student favorite this year was three-sisters tacos where kids made their own tortillas and a yummy filling of squash, corn, and beans. Guest presenter Steve Crider from Viva Farms showed students how dried corn is ground for use in tortilla dough – a great example of how Farm to School connects the readymade foods kids eat to the plants in the ground! The recipe really capped off a whole year of learning, as students planted the companion crops last spring and then harvested the produce in the fall, learning about the cultural history of the foods in a garden lesson

As we wait for spring buds and blossoms, we can make use of winter veggies like carrots to add color, vitamins, and fiber to recipes. Make a batch of carrot chia-seed muffins to highlight the sweet side of the root vegetable. This recipe is perfect to involve young chefs who can measure, pour, and stir up tasty muffins that are also egg-free!

Download the recipe or watch our kid-friendly cooking video!

When it comes to preventing opioid misuse, you can be the one to help keep your family safe. Locking up medications in your home can stop them from being misused, as nearly 75 percent of people who misused prescription painkillers took them from a friend or family member.

Protect your loved ones and visitors and lock up meds in a safe, cabinet, medicine lock bag, or another secure container. If you have leftover meds, take them in for proper disposal right away at a year-round dropbox or Take Back Day event – the next one is happening Saturday, April 30.

Through funding from the Washington State Health Care Authority, District 304 can mail a locking medication storage bag directly to your home. A $25 value, lock bags are provided to the community at no cost and include information about the state campaign to prevent opioid misuse, Starts with One.

Spend time in some of the amazing parks and trails available in our area with one of our Out & About – Group Nature Walk programs. In the Senior Strides series, adults age 55+ meet up in small groups to spend time outdoors and experience the benefits of nature, social connection, and gentle movement. Register for a March or April program - just $25 for four 90-minute sessions- led by our friendly walk leaders! Learn more and sign up today at Nature Rx - United General District 304.

That Saturday, enjoy a visit to one of the 120 beautiful state parks in our state for free – no Discover Pass required! Find details here.

After March 11, most public spaces in our state will not require masking against COVID-19. Families and individuals may still be impacted by the virus however, and vaccinations, boosters, and testing continue to be important tools for preventing the spread of COVID-19 and serious illness. There are now two ways households can get free tests:

USPS program: Orders include four at-home tests per household and usually ship 7-12 days after submitting your order. Even if you are not sick, order them now so you have them when you need them!

Say Yes! To Covid Test: Orders include four at-home tests per household, not per person, and are delivered via Amazon.

Did you know you can use your Fred Meyer card to help make our programs possible? Through Fred Meyer Community Rewards, you can link your card to Foundation of District 304. Link your card in person on your next visit, or click here to do it online. Funds support classes, trainings, and programs for Foundation of District 304 at no cost to you!