Make it Happen Grant Provides Workshops for Parents of Preschoolers

January 15, 2016 — The Fauquier Health Foundation announced today that it has awarded a $9,600 Make it Happen grant to Fauquier County Public Schools for a series of parent workshops open to everyone. These workshops will assist parents by providing the proper tools and developing a parent partnership so that children will have a better chance at being ready for school.

FCPS is participating in the Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) program for the first time this school year. Part of the VPI program is to encourage parent involvement and family engagement.

“We want to reach as many families as possible since we are only serving a small portion of rising kindergartners,” said Kristen McAuliffe, VPI coordinator for FCPS. “Preparing children for kindergarten needs to be a community effort.”

McAuliffe said that while a quality preschool program helps prepare students for school success, parent support in this preparation is critical. Given the proper tools, parents can have a tremendous impact on their child’s development. FCPS has partnered with multiple agencies to be able to provide the best possible resources; the school division will present the workshops in collaboration with Head Start and Saint James’ Episcopal Church and School.

The Make it Happen grant will fund a series of three parent workshops:

• Fine Motor Activities on Thursday, Feb. 11: Learn how to work with your child on fine motor skills such as cutting, coloring and writing. Register at http://finemotor.eventzilla.net
• Early Literacy/Speech and Language on Thursday, March 17: Prepare your child for academic success with parent-friendly advice on language and literacy development. Register at http://literacyandlanguage.eventzilla.net
• Gross Motor Activities on Thursday, April 14: Learn how to work with your child on gross motor skills such as hopping, skipping and climbing. Register at http://grossmotor.eventzilla.net

The workshops will be held from 6 to 7:45 p.m. in the multipurpose room at the Warrenton Community Center, 430 East Shirley Ave. in Warrenton. Free pizza and child care will be available at each workshop beginning at 6 p.m. While the workshops are free, registration is required.

“We are delighted to be able to help with funding of this worthwhile collaboration for parents of preschool children,” said Christy Connolly, president and CEO of Fauquier Health Foundation. “These workshops will allow many children to get an equal start in school so they can receive a successful education.”

Dr. David Jeck, FCPS division superintendent, expressed deep appreciation to the Fauquier Health Foundation for the grant supporting the workshops. “Students who begin kindergarten without the benefit of a quality pre-school education are at a major disadvantage. In some instances, an almost insurmountable disadvantage. We are so incredibly grateful to the Fauquier Health Foundation for supporting our efforts to ensure that all students begin school with the same learning advantages,” he said.

The free preschool parent workshop series is one step toward helping parents learn strategies to facilitate their child’s development at home. Parents may register through the online links listed above or email kmcauliffe@fcps1.org for further information.