Wabasso Area Early Childhood Initiative

Wabasso Area Early Childhood Coalition

Meeting Minutes

June 29, 2010

1.       Welcome

Members present included Jennifer Zollner, Char Lightfoot, Lynn Krause and Dawn Guetter

2.       Budget Questions

A copy of the current budget/expenses was available.  Total expenses for the Years 1, 2 and 3 Vision to Action Grants totaled $26859.90.  Please contact Dawn with any questions or for a detailed list of expenses to date.

3.       Updates

·    ECFE organized and sponsored a car seat clinic on June 2.  There were 10 seats checked and two seats replaced.  The coalition had decided at a previous meeting to provide funding for needed seats.  The total for the two seats came to $78.68.

·    Jennifer Zollner organized the parade entries for the Vesta River Daze and the Wabasso All Fest Parades.  Books and information on our upcoming Mister Jim concert were distributed at Vesta.  Unfortunately, the parade in Wabasso was cancelled due to weather. 

·    The Music in the Park – Mister Jim Concert is scheduled during V-esta days on Wednesday July 21 at 6:30 pm. Lynn, Jennifer and Dawn will be there to help that evening with welcoming and distributing books from the “Hook a Book” boat.

·    The Minnesota Children’s Museum training for child care providers, parents, and early childhood and Kindergarten teachers is scheduled for Tuesday August 17 from 6:30-8:30pm.  It was decided to hold this in the Wabasso School Media Center pending availability.  Dawn will work to get promotional items put together and distributed. 

·    Lynn reported that the Vesta summer storytime has been going well this summer – with at least 8 young children attending regularly.   

4.      Child Care Provider Mini Grants

A grant for $100 for Char Albu for the purchase of a wagon was approved.  There are 2 grants remaining for this grant year (October 1 – September 30).  Lynn will remind the providers in Vesta of their availability.  Providers previously receiving a grant can apply for a second grant after August 1 if some remain. 

5.       Book Shelf Project

Jonti-Craft has two book shelf units available that they are willing to donate for this project.  One will be placed in the Vesta Café’ and the unit with wheels will be placed in the Vesta Community hall.  Lynn is working to have language placed in the usage agreement for the community hall about the shelf.  Books and puzzles along with information for parents will be placed in the shelves.  We will work to have these ready to show and talk about  at the Mister Jim Concert in Vesta.

6.      Regional ECI meeting

Dawn reviewed information from the regional ECI meeting that was held in Marshall.  Ideas for child care provider appreciation were noted.  A newsletter from another community was shared as well.

7.      SWIF Updates / Next Meeting

There is not a regular meeting scheduled for July.  Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 24 at 4:00pm in the Wabasso Public School Board Room.

Please check back at a later date.