Parent Checklist
To-Do:
- 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.
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!