Date: March 30, 2009
Contact: Carol Connelly, Director, Media & Communication Services, ext. 5267, cconnelly@pnc.edu

PNC Students Join Month of the Young Child Celebration

Westville- Purdue University North Central, in collaboration with Imagination Station Child Development Center, of Michigan City, will present a variety of activities during April to celebrate the “Month of the Young Child” by highlighting the importance of high quality early childhood experiences.

Month of the Young Child is sponsored nationally by the National Association for the Education for Young Children (NAEYC). The NAEYC mission, and that of Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children, is to promote and support quality care and education for all young children, birth through age eight.

On April 1, local city officials will issue proclamations announcing April as the Month of the Young Child in their cities. Proclamation times and locations are:

9 a.m. – Michigan City - Mayor Chuck Oberlie at Imagination Station in Michigan City .

11 a.m. – LaPorte - Mayor Kathy Chroback the LaPorte YMCA.

Noon – Valparaiso - A representative from the mayor's office will be at Wee Care Child Development Center , 1750 Thornapple Circle , Valparaiso .

1:30 p.m. – Portage - Mayor Olga Velazguez at the Portage Child Care Center , 6078 Robbins Road , Portage .

3 p.m. – Chesterton – A town council member will be at the Chesterton Wee Care Child Development Center, 421 Sand Creek Drive, Chesterton.

April 8 from 5 to 8 p.m., Dr. Janice Katz, chairperson of the Childcare Consortium, along with students from the PNC Education Department will host the “Invest in our Children” Children's Carnival at the Valparaiso University Athletic Recreation Center , Hilltop Gymnasium at 1009 Union St. Admission is $5 per child. Event sponsors include PNC, Valparaiso University and PNC student organization Purdue Learning About Young Children in Education (P.L.A.Y.C.E.) to support early childhood education.

This carnival will be a night of fun and education with Bounce Houses donated by Bounce N Around, Balloon artist Carolyn Neary, tattoos, games and fun and educational activities led by P.L.A.Y.C.E. members.

Magician Timothy Arends will perform at 6:30 p.m. Local NAEYC-accredited preschools, the Valparaiso University Police Department and Valparaiso Fire Department will pass out information for children and parents.

Local “celebrities” will travel to area libraries to read to young children. Participating libraries include:

Porter Library – On April 15 at 11 a.m. a representative from the Porter Department will read to the children.

Westchester Public Library – On April 14 at 10 a.m. Police Chief George Nelson will read to children.

Michigan City Library – On April 15 at 10:30 a.m. Police Chief John Kintzele will read to children.

LaPorte Library – On April 17 at 10 a.m. Police Chief Terry Scherer will read to children.

Portage Library – On April 15 at 10:30 a.m. Fire Chief William Lundy will read to children.

To support the importance of families and schools working together, area schools will host family activities.

South Haven Elementary School – On April 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. there will be an ice cream social and family reading night.

Myers Elementary School - April 22 6 to 8 p.m., will host a Family Skating Night on at R-Way Skate Center , 3600 Scottsdale St. , Portage .

Washington Township Elementary School - April 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. will present a Family Fun Night.

Jackson Elementary - April 21 will have a Spring Fling. Contact the school for more information

On April 25, Purdue North Central will host its third annual Early Learning Early Childhood Conference, “Everyday Wonder.” Registration information is available at www.pnc.edu.

The month's activities will conclude April 27 with another "Invest on our Future” Children's Carnival hosted at Purdue North Central from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Weather permitting, activities will be outdoors in the Quad. If there is inclement weather, the carnival will be moved to Library-Student-Faculty Building Room 144. Admission is $5 per child.

This carnival will also feature the PNC Police Department and Michigan City firefighters, along with moonwalks, face painting and fun and educational children's activities. P.L.A.Y.C.E. members will lead the children's activities.

Further information can be obtained by contacting P.L.A.Y.C.E. members Erin Foust and Jessica Bailey at moyc09@yahoo.com.

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