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. | | Help find solutions for families who struggle with finding child care. | | HINTS, TIPS, & AT HOME ACTIVITIES | |
TALKING IS TEACHING:
Let’s talk about PRESCHOOL! When talking about the first day of preschool with your little one, use words to show your excitement! Children can pick up the emotions that you may be feeling. By saying “I know that you’re going to have a great day at preschool and I’m so excited for you!”, this may make the idea of preschool less scary for your child!
For more ideas on how to talk, read, and sing together visit: TALKING IS TEACHING
| | KINDERGARTEN READINESS GOALS: | |
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- Pedal a tricycle
- Controls strong emotions in an appropriate manner most of the time
- Tells stories about places and past events in a logical order that includes major details
- Uses numbers to compare, knows the purpose of standard measuring tools
- Demonstrates knowledge of characteristics of living things (pretends to feed a baby doll or animal, puts baby doll to sleep, etc.)
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COOKING AT HOME - PURPLE VEGETABLE PANCAKES
Cooking Matters
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45 Minutes 4 Servings
Pineapple Dipping Sauce
1 clove garlic
1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple packed in juice
3 Tablespoons water
2 Tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
1½ teaspoons cornstarch
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
Pancakes
1 medium zucchini
1 medium beet
1 medium carrot
2 green onions
3 leaves of kale, chard, or beet greens
3 large eggs
2 Tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon low-sodium baking powder
4 ½ teaspoons canola oil, divided
2/3 cup whole wheat flour
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Instructions:
- Make sauce first. Peel and mince garlic.
- In a small saucepan, add garlic, pineapple and its juice, water, soy sauce, cornstarch, and ginger. Stir well to dissolve the cornstarch. Bring to a boil and cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Cover to keep warm while you make the pancakes.
- Rinse and grate the zucchini. Rinse, peel, and grate the beet and carrot.
- Rinse and thinly slice green onions.
- Rinse greens and remove thick stems. Stack leaves together, roll into a thick tube, and slice thinly.
- In a large bowl, beat eggs with a fork. Stir in vegetables.
- Add soy sauce, baking powder, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of the oil. Stir until well mixed. Stir in the flour until just combined to make the batter.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 1 teaspoon of the oil. Scoop about 2 tablespoons batter and add to pan to make one pancake. You should be able to fit about 4 pancakes in the pan at a time. Cook until browned on both sides, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove pancakes.
- Repeat step 8 twice more to make 2 more batches.
- Serve pancakes warm with the sauce.
View full recipe: PURPLE VEGETABLE PANCAKES
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FAMILY ROUTINE RESET: GETTING READY FOR BACK TO SCHOOL
Maggie Dwan
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Routines are the bridge between summer days and school-day success. When children know what to expect, big feelings shrink and mornings run more smoothly. Predictable routines also support sleep, attention, and regular attendance.
2 Weeks Out: Ease Into It
- Move bedtime and wake-up earlier in 15-minute steps every few days.
- Re-establish a screen-free wind-down time (30 minutes before lights out).
- Start a quick evening prep: pick clothes, pack backpack spot, set out shoes.
1 Week Out: Practice the Day
- Walk, ride, or drive the school route once so it feels familiar.
- Do a “morning launch” rehearsal: wake, dress, breakfast, out-the-door timer.
- Role-play drop-off or classroom entry if your child is anxious.
- Schedule a short visit with the office or principal if seeing the space will help.
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Nightly 1-2-3 (Keep it Simple)
- Backpack check (folders, forms, library books).
- Clothing picked and placed.
- Goodnight routine: talk, read, sing. Screens off.
Morning 1-2-3
- Wake and stretch.
- Breakfast + quick connection (Best, Toughest, or Silliest thing that happened yesterday).
- Grab backpack from the launch spot and go.
Students who start the year with strong routines are less likely to miss early days of school, and early attendance sets the tone for the whole year. If mornings are hard in your household, let your school or Great Start Collaborative know. We can help troubleshoot transportation, childcare timing, or other barriers.
Online resources for families
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Healthy Back-to-School Guide (AAP / HealthyChildren) — sleep, mental health, attendance tips. HealthyChildren.org
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Helping Kids Back Into the School Routine (Child Mind Institute) — scripts to validate feelings and practice mornings. Child Mind Institute
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Back-to-School Sleep Tips (National Sleep Foundation) — how to reset sleep schedules. National Sleep Foundation
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BACK TO SCHOOL BASICS
Early ON
Early literacy starts long before kindergarten! Reading to babies and toddlers helps build vocabulary, comprehension, and attention span—critical areas supported by early intervention.
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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HELP ME GROW
Creativity sparks learning! Drawing, pretend play, and storytelling help your 3- to 5-year-old build problem-solving skills and confidence. If you have concerns about your child’s development, call Help Me Grow
For more information visit helpmegrow-mi.org/counties or call 844-464-0005.
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HEALTH & WELLNESS SPOTLIGHT: BACK TO SCHOOL & MENTAL HEALTH
Heading back to school can bring excitement--and anxiety.
A recent survey found that 87% of parents with children under 18 report stress or anxiety during the back-to-school season.
If your child resists going, remember: your calm presence matters!
What helps:
- Acknowledge their feelings: let them know it’s okay to feel nervous.
- Stick to a consistent routine: predictability helps children feel safe.
- Stay positive and patient: your confidence reassures them.
- Remember that action, not avoidance, is the answer to anxiety.
🗓️ Tip: Start building your family's school-year routines now--bedtime, morning prep, and screen-free wind-down time can make the transition smoother.
-Role-play and practice school scenarios that are creating anxiety for your child. Schedule a time with the principal that you can take your child to the school and walk through their daily routine before the school year starts.
Small routines today can ease big feelings tomorrow!
| | 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
August 5 - Together We Can: Co-Parenting
August 12 - Mindfulness for Young Children
August 19 - What Children Need to Know to Start School
August 26 - Reducing Challenging Behaviors in Toddlers
Online Kinship Caregiver workshops: Thriving Together: Parenting and Family Relationships When a Family Member has a Disability
August 13, 2025 7:00PM - 8:30PM
Online Parent Talk System Webinar Series
Thursdays - July 10 - August 14, 7:30 - 9:30 PM
Online Guiding Principles for Highly Successful Parenting Webinar Series
Wednesdays - July 16 - August 13, 11:30 AM - 1 PM
Learn More & Register: MSU EXTENSION PARENT CLASSES
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August 2 at 10:30 AM: STORYTIME at Risers Kitchen, Auburn
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August: Sunday-Saturday at 10 AM - 5 PM: VISITOR CENTER OPEN at the Bay City State Park, Bay City
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August 4 at 9 AM: STORYTIME at Legacy Coffee House, Bay City
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August 5 at 11 AM: BABY STORYTIME (ages 2-5) at Sage Branch Library, Bay City
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August 5 at 12:15 PM: FAMILY STORYTIME at Alice & Jack Wirt Public Library, Bay City
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August 6, 13, 20, & 27 at 9-11 AM: NATURE DISCOVERY at Finn Park, Essexville. Questions: text Amy Trogan 989-992-1803 or trogana@baisd.net
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August 6 at 12:30 PM: TOUCH A TRUCK (age 0-12) at Sage Branch Library, Bay City
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August 6 at 6:30 PM: FAMILY STORYTIME (ages 0-6) at Alice & Jack Wirt Public Library, Bay City
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August 7, 14, 21, & 28 at 10 AM - 12 PM: GREAT LAKES BAY MOM CAFE & PLAYGROUP at Bay-Arenac Career Center Playground, Bay City. Questions: text Amy Trogan 989-992-1803 or trogana@baisd.net
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August 7 at 10:15 AM: BABY STORYTIME at Auburn Branch Library, Auburn
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August 7 at 10:15 AM: TODDLER STORYTIME at Alice & Jack Wirt Public Library, Bay City
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August 7 at 5:30 PM: ART BUFFET (ages 5-12) at Sage Branch Library, Bay City
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August 8 & 22 at 11 AM: TODDLER TIME! at Pinconing Branch Library, Pinconning
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August 11 at 10 AM: STORYTIME at Excited Goat Coffee Company, Essexville
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August 12 at 10:30 AM: SCHOOL BUS STORYTIME (ages 2-6) at Alice & Jack Wirt Public Library, Bay City
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August 14 at 10 AM - 12 PM: BREASTFEEDING WALK at Bay Arenac ISD Career Center Playground, Bay City
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August 14 at 6 PM: ART BUFFET (ages 4-12) at Pinconning Branch Library, Pinconning
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August 15 at 10:30 AM: LITTLE WIGGLERS (ages 0-5) at Sage Branch Library, Bay City
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August 16 at 2 PM: PUPS & PAGES (ages 4-12) at Alice & Jack Wirt Public Library, Bay City
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August 20 at 5:30 PM: PUPS & PAGES (ages 4-12) at Sage Branch Library, Bay City
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August 21 at 6 PM: PUPS & PAGES (ages 4-12) at Pinconing Branch Library, Pinconning
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August 22 at 11 AM: PUPS & PAGES (ages 4-12) at Auburn Branch Library, Auburn
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August 27 at 9:30 AM: STORYTIME (ages 0-12) at Trombley House, Bay City
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