The BBF Regional Council supported a variety of events during the months of September and October. The “All Things Lyndon” group, a group that started as a Promise Community initiative, has been holding a “Family Fun Friday” activity, on the first Friday of the month, since June, with support from a PCC/BBF “mini grant” and volunteers from BBF, Cobleigh Library, Kingdom East School District and other community members. The September theme was “Healthy Habits & Snack Time Fun”, and BBF, supported by Help Me Grow funds, sponsored an interactive “Story Walk” to promote physical activity and literacy. (See the photos at the bottom of this recap!) “Pumpkins” were featured in October. The activities were held at the park in Lyndonville from 4-6 pm, at the same time as the local Farmers Market.
Several community partners in St Johnsbury were invited by Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) and NEKCA Parent Child Center to co-sponsor a “Family Day” event, a free community dinner with family activities. “Family Day’, founded by the Center on Addiction, celebrates simple, everyday things parents can do to connect with their kids. Families received a take away bag, filled with information including a book and Help Me Grow brochures. Funding for the event was provided by a Spark! Connecting Community grant from the VT Community Foundation, the NVRH Community Improvement Fund, and Building Bright Futures. Rural Community Transportation provided transportation. Over 100 children and parents attended!
The documentary film “Downstream” was brought to our region by BBF, PCC and the Community Restorative Justice Center in St Johnsbury. Catamount Arts provided a theater free of charge to the group. “Downstream” features the stories of Vermont children and families that are impacted when a parent goes to prison; a panel discussion followed with individuals featured in the film. A diverse audience of about 40 community members attended.
The Professional Development Committee of the BBF Regional Council supported a 2 day TS GOLD Introductory training at Springfield College in St Johnsbury. Beth Peloquin, an early childhood education consultant, was the trainer and almost 20 professionals from the 3 county area attended.
Auburn Watersong, the new State Director of Trauma Prevention and Resilience Development, was our guest speaker at the October BBF Regional Council meeting. Auburn spoke about her role and her hopes/plans at AHS and beyond. We had a brief conversation about trauma exposure and early childhood classrooms and trauma in the workforce and how it manifests in teachers (secondary trauma).
The Building Bright Futures Regional Council and partner Kingdom East School District hosted a forum on October 22, convening stakeholders invested in improving pre-k ahead of the 2020 Legislative Session. The Regional forum gathered input to highlight best practices, share approaches that are working in the region and also outline persistent barriers to successful UPK administration.
Upcoming Council Meetings
The next Council meeting is November 18, 2019 and in December on the 16th, at 5:30 pm at the VT Department of Health in St Johnsbury.
