As the summer soon comes to a close and youth sports again get underway another round of gaming grants has been announced that will help support the Penticton Curling Club, the Penticton Minor Fastball Soft Pitch Association, Penticton and District Minor Hockey, Penticton and Summerland Ringette Associations and the South Okanagan Youth Soccer Association. Close to $200,000 in funding will be allocated for youth and disabled sport programs throughout the regions these organizations serve.
For more information regarding direct access gaming grants please do not hesitate to contact my office.
Also announced recently is the 2010 Legacies Now local sport program development fund. This program is offered to help improve access to sport and recreation activities in all regions of B.C. For further information on this programs please visit 2010legaciesnow.com/local_sport_development_fund.
With kids back in area schools this week please remember to slow down when driving in school zones and be vigilant to watch for youngsters at cross walks and intersections.
Also a reminder to parents on the importance of serving your child a nutritious breakfast to help start the day.
Wherever possible try to use whole foods as much as possible and try to avoid pre-packaged, processed foods in your child’s lunches.
If you are looking for some good ideas for healthy snacks and means please visit the healthyfamiliesbc.ca website for further information.
Studies have shown that the energy received from a nutritious morning meal is what jump starts our body and brain, and helps to allows children to focus and learn easier in the classroom.
There are expected to be roughly 540,696 public school students heading back to school this week. While that is a large number, it is also a decrease of more than 57,000 students over the past decade.
Of these students, 37,000 will be enrolled in all day kindergarten this year at a cost of roughly $365 million over three years to implement.
Studies have consistently shown the benefit of early learning and the importance of better preparing our children for school.
Another program that has had great success in helping prepare our children for the classroom is StrongStart B.C.
This program not only help utilize underused classroom space, but it has been very well received with children and parents alike and is cost effective to taxpayers at a cost of roughly $43 million.
This past year there were close to 600,000 visits to BC Strong Start Centers and that is encouraging news.
Bill Barisoff is the MLA for Penticton.