EH Schools, Cardinal Therapy team up for Winter Play Group
Kathy Shoup, left, and Jenni Hershberger are Title I educators at East Holmes Schools and have worked hard teaming up with Cardinal Therapy to create a day for preschoolers and parents.
Any time parents are preparing to send their children to school for the first time, it can be a nerve-wracking experience.
Thus, East Holmes Schools is designing a day it hopes can help alleviate some of that trepidation while creating a fun day for the children and providing answers to some of the questions parents might have concerning getting toddlers ready for that first day of school.
East Holmes Schools has partnered with Cardinal Therapy Group to create a day for youngsters to learn more about all types of therapy available to families with young preschool children.
Winter Play Group will take place Tuesday, Jan. 14 from 10:30-11:15 a.m. in the Keim Conference Room, 4465 state Route 557, Charm.
The event will feature activities appropriate for children age 1-5 and is designed for children of all abilities.
The games will focus on fine and gross motor skills and will include books, poetry, sensory bins, building toys and more.
While the event is designed specifically for children with severe physical and cognitive needs, it is open to any family with youngsters who want to enjoy the day or for families who might have questions concerning early childhood development.
The event will be spearheaded by Jenni Hershberger and Kathy Shoup, Title I educators at EH Schools, plus experienced professional members from Cardinal Therapy Group.
“The goal is to provide resources and contacts for parents,” Hershberger said. “We’re always looking for ways to collaborate with organizations and businesses in our community, and this seemed like a perfect opportunity for us to bring a wonderful group like Cardinal Therapy on board with us, and if family lives in East Holmes and has young children, they are welcome to come.”
Hershberger said they continually have parents reaching out to them prior to the child going to school with questions, and the hope is this event will serve as a way to answer many of those questions shared by multiple families.
She said while it is designed for children age 1-5, they welcome any family that has children of any age with questions about childhood development.
Hershberger said this event creates an opportunity for the district to build relationships with parents and families in the district who can learn more about the resources available to them, especially those families with children with childhood development issues.
“This gives families a chance to really feel things out, ask questions from professionals and connect with the school district before their children are introduced into the school itself,” Hershberger said. “It’s important to partner with families early and help them better understand everything available to them, and the children will have a chance to play together, have fun, develop social and language skills, and continue on their learning journey.”
She said creating a fun environment will hopefully inspire children to grasp the joys of education.
In addition, several students from Hiland High School have volunteered their time to help with the event, which will provide them with experience.
Hershberger said the hope is this partnership will be successful enough that it will spur further gatherings, and they will try to move them all around the district to make it more inviting to families everywhere within the district.
“It’s meant to be a fun day that provides plenty of interaction to go with being an informative day, and we think it will be very beneficial to our district families who may have youngsters who are nearing the age when they will be starting to school,” Hershberger said.
Anyone with questions may call Hershberger or Shoup at the East Holmes Central Office at 330-893-2610 ext. 1307 or ext. 1308 or email them at either kathy.shoup@eastholmes.org or jennihershberger@eastholmes.org.