The Bay Arenac Great Start has updated the website and is now easier to navigate for information that you may need. Find local resources, parent classes, tips, and so much more. | | | | |
Educators have long identified preschool reading and parent involvement as among the most important steps toward a child's success in school. Simply, reading aloud is one of the most important things parents and care-givers can do. Bay-Arenac ISD and educators throughout the seven local districts in our communities embrace the concept of preschool reading as integral to student success. Through affiliation with Imagination Library, all of our children in Arenac and Bay counties would receive an age-appropriate, hardcover book, mailed to their homes each month of their lives from birth to their fifth birthday.
Register: IMAGINATION LIBRARY
| | HINTS, TIPS, & AT HOME ACTIVITIES | |
TALKING IS TEACHING:
Let’s talk about HEALTHY HABITS! Come up with a “healthy habits” morning routine with your little one. Talk about all the things you can do each morning to help your body stay healthy and strong throughout the day. “We can stay healthy by brushing our teeth, eating a healthy breakfast, and moving our bodies! What other things can we do to stay healthy?”
For more ideas on how to talk, read, and sing together visit: TALKING IS TEACHING
| | KINDERGARTEN READINESS GOALS: | |
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- Copy a triangle, circle, square, and other shapes
- Manages classroom rules, routines, and transitions with occasional reminders
- Matches beginning sounds of some words
- Extends and creates simple repeating patterns
- Understands physical properties of objects (heavy, light, rough, smooth)
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HELP ME GROW
Ready for school? 3- to 5-year-olds are learning how to follow directions, work in groups, and express themselves
For more information visit helpmegrow-mi.org/counties or call 844-464-0005.
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SENSORY SEASONS
Early ON
Sensory play (like exploring leaves in the fall) promotes brain development by integrating multiple senses. For kids with sensory processing challenges, early intervention tailors activities to build tolerance.
If you have concerns or questions about your child's development please contact Amy Vallad, BAISD Early On Coordinator at vallada@baisd.net or (989) 262-4182
Learn more about EARLY ON.
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COOKING AT HOME - GAUCOLEMOLE
Cooking Matters
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15 Minutes 8 Servings
Ingredients
¼ red onion
1 medium clove garlic
2 plum tomatoes
1 medium lime
2 medium, ripe avocados
¼ teaspoon salt
Optional Ingredients
½ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ cup fresh cilantro leaves
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Materials
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Medium bowl
- Sharp knife
- Spoon
Instructions:
- Peel onion and garlic clove. Rinse tomatoes.
- If using, rinse cilantro. Pluck leaves from stems. Tear into small pieces.
- Mince onion and garlic. Dice tomatoes into ¼-inch pieces.
- Rinse lime and cut in half. In a medium bowl, squeeze juice from each half. Discard seeds.
- Cut avocados in half. Remove pits. Using a large spoon, scoop out flesh and add to bowl with juice.
- Add salt to avocado. If using cumin, add now. Mash well with a fork.
- Add onion, garlic, and tomatoes to avocado mixture. If using cilantro, add now. Stir well.
View full recipe: GUACOMOLE
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FAMILY ROUTINE RESET: ATTENDANCE MATTERS
Maggie Dwan
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Strong attendance habits begin in preschool and the early grades. When young children are present consistently, they build routines, friendships, and confidence that set the stage for lifelong learning. Missing just a few days a month can make it harder for children to keep up.
Family Tip:
Use the MORNING ROUTINE CHART to help your child get ready each day. Having a clear, visual routine makes mornings smoother and helps families get out the door on time.
Together, we can make sure every child is in school, learning, and thriving—because every day really does count.
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HEALTH & WELLNESS SPOTLIGHT: BUILDING INDEPENDENCE & RESILIENCE
September Focus: Try Something New!
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Trying new things--even small ones--helps young children build confidence, problem-solving skills, and pride in what they can do.
Simple ways to encourage independence:
- Let them help pack a lunch 🍎
- Pick out their own outfit for the day-even if it doesn't match! 👕
- Let them make their own breakfast or make breakfast for the family
- Water a plant or feed or walk a pet independently 🌱🐾
- Help carry groceries inside and put them away 🛒
- Order their own food at a restaurant
- Make their own bed (even if it’s a little messy!) 🛏️
🎯 Small steps lead to big growth! Encouraging independence now helps build strong, capable learners for the future.
Find more ideas here: 👉 UNPLUGGED PLAY IDEAS
| | HAVE A LOW-TECH SUMMER - GOOSECHASE | | JOIN THE GOOSECHASE EXPERIENCE | | MSU EXTENSION - FREE ONLINE PARENTING CLASSES |
Extension Extras Parenting Hour
Tuesdays at 8 - 9:30 PM
September 2 - Working Together to Develop Early Literacy Skills, Infant-Toddler
September 9 - Back to the Basics: Skills in Infant and Toddler Care
September 16 - Talking With Kids About Differences
September 30 - RELAX Alternatives to Anger for Parents and Caregivers
Online Parent Talk System Webinar Series - September-October 2025
Tuesdays - September 9, 2025 - October 14, 11:30 AM - 1 PM
Online Kinship Caregiver workshops: Introduction to the HOPE Framework
September 10, 7 - 8:30 PM
Online Guiding Principles for Highly Successful Parenting Webinar Series
Thursdays - September 11 - October 9, 7:30 - 9 PM
Online Building Strong Adolescents Webinar Series
Mondays - September 15 - October 13, 7 - 9 PM
Online Kinship Caregiver lunch and learn classes: Introduction to Positive and Adverse Childhood Experiences
September 19, 11:30 AM - 1 PM
Learn More & Register: MSU EXTENSION PARENT CLASSES
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Visit the website for TRUNK OR TREAT listings for Bay and Arenac County.
Is your organization hosting at Trunk or Treat? Use the contact form at the bottom of the TRUNK OR TREAT website page to include it on the list.
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September: Sunday-Saturday at 10 AM - 5 PM: VISITOR CENTER OPEN at the Bay City State Park, Bay City
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September 2 at 4:30 PM: MINECRAFT PARTY (ages 6-12) at Auburn Branch Library, Auburn
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September 4, 11, 18, & 25 at 10 AM - 12 PM: GREAT LAKES BAY MOM CAFE & PLAYGROUP at Bay City Town Center, Bay City. Questions: text Amy Trogan 989-992-1803 or trogana@baisd.net
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September 4, 11, & 18 at 10:30 AM: MOVE & GROOVE at Alice & Jack Wirt Public Library, Bay City
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September 4 at 6 PM: PUPS & PAGES (ages 4-12) at Pinconing Branch Library, Pinconning
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September 5 & 19 at 10 AM: PLAYDATE (ages 0-4) at Alice & Jack Wirt Public Library, Bay City
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September 8 at 9 AM: STORYTIME at Legacy Coffee House, Bay City
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September 9 at 4:30 PM: MINI DUCK MANSION (ages 2-12) at Auburn Branch Library, Auburn
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September 10 at 5:30 PM: BABY BOOK CLUB at Sage Branch Library, Bay City
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September 11 at 5:30 PM: MINECRAFT PARTY (ages 6-12) at Sage Branch Library, Bay City
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September 11 at 5:30 PM: PERLER BEAD PARTY (ages 6-12) at Pinconning Branch Library, Pinconning
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September 12 & 26 at 11 AM: TODDLER TIME! at Pinconing Branch Library, Pinconning
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September 13 at 10:30 AM: STORYTIME at Risers Kitchen, Auburn
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September 13 at 11 AM: PUPS & PAGES (ages 4-12) at Auburn Branch Library, Auburn
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September 15 at 10 AM: STORYTIME at Excited Goat Coffee Company, Essexville
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September 15 at 11 AM: BUSY BOOK CAFE (ages 0-3) at Sage Branch Library, Bay City
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September 16 at 4:30 PM: PIGGY BANK THEATER (ages 3-8) at Alice & Jack Wirt Public Library, Bay City
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September 17 at 5:30 PM: PUPS & PAGES (ages 4-12) at Sage Branch Library, Bay City
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September 17 at 6-7 PM: MINECRAFT PARTY at Alice & Jack Wirt Public Library, Bay City
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September 19 at 10:30 AM: LITTLE WIGGLERS (ages 0-5) at Sage Branch Library, Bay City
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September 20 at 1 PM: STEM EVENT at Bay County Historical Society, Bay City
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September 20 at 2 PM: PUPS & PAGES (ages 4-12) at Alice & Jack Wirt Public Library, Bay City
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September 23 at 5:30 PM: CLAY PINS (ages 6-12) at Auburn Park, Auburn
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September 25 at 6-7 PM: MINECRAFT PARTY at Pinconning Branch Library, Pinconning
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September 29 at 10 AM: FAMILY STORYTIME (age 0-6) at Sage Branch Library, Bay City
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September 29 at 10:30 AM: BABY STORYTIME at Alice & Jack Wirt Public Library, Bay City
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September 30 at 11 AM: BABY STORYTIME (ages 2-5) at Sage Branch Library, Bay City
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