First 5 High Five
Mi Escuelita Preschool Graduation
Thirty-three Mi Escuelita preschoolers are now kinder-ready! Donning graduation robes, graduates smiled to cheers from their families, friends and supporters during a graduation ceremony on June 9, 2017. Sprouts Chula Vista & Eastlake’s Ron Cohn and First 5 San Diego Commissioner Sandra McBrayer presented the diplomas (pictured). Also joining the celebration were San Diego Padres, Qué Buena 106.5 FM, 102.9 Más Variedad, Brightwood College, The San Diego Union-Tribune, National Charity League, Rice Elementary Principal Veronica Konkoly, Mission Federal Credit Union, Tucker Sadler Architects, Chula Vista Police Department, SBCS Board of Directors, and SBCS Change Their Lives Committee.
A program of South Bay Community Services (SBCS), the preschool is the only one of its kind designed for children impacted by violence and abuse. These children are more likely than their peers to experience a wide range of difficulties that impact their development, education and health. With three full-time therapists on site, specialized staff and curriculum, Mi Escuelita offers holistic services for both child and caregivers – parent, grandparent, family member or foster parents – to help with behavior issues and learning opportunities in and away from the classroom. Mi Escuelita, funded in part by First 5 San Diego, has served more than 450 families since its opening in 2006.
All about Fruit and Veggies
Area Children Treated to a Day of Hands-on Learning
First 5 San Diego and Suzie’s Farm hosted local children for a day of learning about the basics of plants, fruit and vegetables. On May 15 and 16, Field Elementary and Playhouse Preschool children learned about one aspect of healthy living with an introduction to where their fresh food comes from.
Representatives from Suzie’s Farm, a 70-acre USDA-certified organic farm located in South San Diego, made learning fun with lessons on the lifecycle of the plants they grow as well as a song and dance about fruit and vegetables. The children planted their own tomatoes, broccoli, carrots and sprouts, and tasted farm-fresh carrots, kale, lettuce, and more.
To make sure they took the healthy eating lessons home, the children picked out fresh produce to share with their parents. First 5 San Diego provided reusable shopping bags as well as materials on healthy living: an informational flyer, recipes, and seeds to plant at home.