PAFE kindergarten program receives INCF grant

“This READY! for Kindergarten class inspires me to be more interactive in new ways with my toddler. What a blessing this program is for our community!” READY! for Kindergarten, a national early childhood literacy program for parents, grandparents and other caregivers of children from birth to age 5, regularly receives positive comments like this from workshop attendees.

The Panhandle Alliance for Education, which funds READY! in the community, recently received a $7,500 grant from the Inland Northwest Community Foundation, which will help pay for the materials used in the classes.

During the interactive READY! for Kindergarten workshops, parents receive free, research-based curriculum and educational toys, books, games and activities to be enjoyed at home with their young children. The free, 90-minute Saturday morning sessions are offered in Sandpoint three times a year, in the fall, winter and spring. Free childcare for children from 13 months to 11 years is available on site.

For more information on READY! for Kindergarten, go to www.readysandpoint.org or call the PAFE office at 208-263-7040.

The Panhandle Alliance for Education is a non-profit organization composed of local citizens, businesses, and educators. The organization’s mission is to promote excellence in education and broad-based community support for the Lake Pend Oreille School District.

Donations are distributed as a working pool of money used to fund local teacher grants; READY! For Kindergarten, an early childhood literacy program for parents of children from birth to age five; an LPOSD-wide writing program and other strategic programs.

To learn more about PAFE or to make a monthly or one-time donation, visit the website at www.panhandlealliance.org or call Executive Director Marcia Wilson at 208-263-7040.