Harrison Hot Springs preschool opens
MetroValley Newspaper Group / Agassiz Observer
25 Oct 2006

EXCERPT

The Harrison Hot Springs Preschool Society held a Grand Opening of their facility on October 11, 2006, and was attended by HHS Mayor Facio, by community and society members, Fraser Cascade board of trustees members and children along with their families.

The road to creating a Preschool program in Harrison began in January of this year after 29 positive responses were gathered from interested families at the Harrison Elementary School Ready Set Learn event.

On June 13th, 2006, the Fraser-Cascade School board of trustees approved a recommendation to submit an Expression of Interest in local newspapers, requesting interested parties to submit proposals for the establishment of a Pre-school Program in the community of Harrison Hot Springs.

A group of eight interested volunteers met for the first time at the end of June and unanimously agreed to work over the summer holidays to establish a non-profit society and to begin the licensing process for a community pre-school. All licensing requirements were met over the summer and the society was able to honor its promise to open the program by October 2006, says Catherine Solheim, Kindergarten Teacher, HHS Elementary School....

Because School District # 78 has participated over the last 5 years in the Human Early Learning Partnership (HELP) with Dr. Clyde Hertzman, a well-known researcher from UBC, Solheim says the society has become very familiar with the early development indicators (EDI) that make the difference for young children's early success at school which are physical health and well-being; social competence; emotional maturity; language and cognitive development; and communication skills and general knowledge.

"Catherine Solheim and her committee already understood the research related to child development, and are to be congratulated for achieving what I believe is one of the most important accomplishments of any member of society." Dr. Karen Nelson said. "That is to improve the life chances of even one child. I believe that the establishment of the Harrison Hot Springs Preschool will improve the life chances of many children."

"Three months of committed volunteer work by the members of the Harrison Hot Springs Pre-school planning committee coupled with cooperation from the families of the Harrison community, Harrison Gospel Chapel, the Fraser-Cascade School District, and Fraser Health Licensing have made this initiative a reality for our community." Catherine Solheim said. "We are extremely happy to have met a very important need for our community. And now, because we are a non- profit society, the hard work of fundraising begins so that the positive effectiveness of our Pre-school can continue for many more children in Harrison Hot Springs."