Parent Checklist
To-Do:
- Get connected early with West Shore ESD's free Early Childhood Services!
- West Shore ESD offers a network of support with resources and events for children age 0+ and their families through the Great Start Collaborative,
- a state-funded Pre-K program for eligible 4-year-olds through the Great start Readiness Program,
- a system of early intervention services for infants and toddlers birth to 3 years of age with disabilities or developmental delays through Early On,
- and early childhood special education preschool for eligible kids age 3-5 through Early Childhood Special Education.
- Help your child develop an interest in reading by reading aloud to them every day. Great Start Collaborative's inspiREading program offers free videos, strategy cards, and printable resources to help guide you and your child through their reading journey.
- Keep track of your child's learning process. Check in often with the Great Start Collaborative, and once in school, check your child's homework and follow their progress by looking at report cards and attending teacher conferences.
- Start saving for your child's college education. Use the Plan Ahead to Save resource to learn more.
Before Kindergarten
Exploration
West Shore ESD Early Childhood Services: West Shore ESD offers fantastic programming and resources for early childhood education. Explore the following websites to learn more:
- Great Start Collaborative: The Mason-Lake-Oceana Great Start Collaborative is a partnership of parents, child care providers, service providers, businesses, and other community leaders who are committed to giving every child in our three-county region a great start in life. Access videos, activities, and more to support your young learner. GSC has a calendar filled with free events for parents and children of all ages.
- Early On: If you have a concern about a baby's health or development, Early On serves infants and toddlers from birth to 36 months with developmental delay or conditions that could lead to such delay. It has been well established that early intervention is an effective way to prevent or reduce problems for children at a later age.
- Great Start Readiness Program: GSRP is Michigan's state-funded PreK program for four-year-old children with factors that may place them at risk of educational failure. The program is administered by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP).
- Early Childhood Special Education: Young children ages three through five who have a disability as defined by one of the categories listed are eligible for preschool services provided through the local school system. In Michigan, the categories of disability include: Speech/Language Impairment, Specific Learning Disability, Cognitive Impairment, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Emotional Impairment, Traumatic Brain Injury, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Visual Impairment, Physical Impairment, Early Childhood Developmental Delay, Severe Multiple Impairment, Other Health Impairment
- Michigan Educational Savings Plan: Saving early for College is a reliable way to help build a college-going identity among youth. MESP has resources to help families establish early savings account--Any amount saved correlates with higher likelihood to go to college, according to UofM research from Dr. William Elliot III.
Kid's Checklist
To-Do:
- Do your best in school!
- Read a lot! Check out the Mason County District Library's Kids' Catalog.
- Have fun learning! Check out the Kids' Zone if you enjoy games like puzzles and math teasers.
Kindergarten to 5th Grade
Exploration
WSCC Kids Programming: West Shore offers curated programs designed to ignite creativity, foster learning, and inspire fun-filled adventures.
- Discovery Quest: Designed as an introduction to career exploration, kids have the opportunity to walk a variety of pathways while journeying through hands-on activities and engaging projects. Ages 4-12, breakfast and lunch provided. Registration is $140 per week. Scholarships and transportation are available.
- College For Kids: West Shore's traditional one-week intensive program. Select 2 of 20+ class options designed to provide more in-depth experience within chosen pathways. Ages 9-15, breakfast and lunch provided. Registration is $175 per week.
- CTE & Me: Each May, 3rd-grade students from Mason, Lake, Oceana, and Manistee counties get the chance to spend the day at West Shore Community College learning about career and technical education (CTE) and community college programs.
Mason County District Library: The library holds free programming year-round for children and families of all ages. Come for storytime, Legos, free meals, painting, and more! Stop by the Scottville or Ludington branch for a program and/or to play and read.
The Michigan Learning Channel: This site is a statewide partnership with PBS, has engaging educational videos for K-5 related to career exploration (and upper grades as well).
KickStart to Career: Programming to help children understand savings and establish a College Savings Account (CSA) is offered starting in Kindergarten at elementary schools in Mason County. This is a partnership of the Community Foundation for Mason County, with support from West Shore ESD, area financial institutions, local philanthropic organizations, and donors. Each child gets a donor funded, tax-free savings established, and families and children can save for annual "Deposit Days" to get matched additions to their savings. The funds belong to the students, and can be used after high school for post-secondary training and education!