FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LAGUNA BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
CONTACT: IRENE WHITE
DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION/STUDENT SERVICES
949-497-7700 EXT. 5208 | IWHITE@LBUSD.ORG 

Learning Link opens registration May 23 and 24

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. – The Learning Link, an interactive center designed to provide parents of children ages 2 ½ to 5 years old with a supportive environment to encourage healthy growth and child development, will host registration days on May 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and May 24 from 9 to 11 a.m at 811 Manzanita Drive, Room 90 in the offices above the Laguna Beach community pool.

The Learning Link offers both parent and child an opportunity to participate in fun educational activities, referrals to community resources and provide health and development screenings at no cost to parents.

“I have seen so much progress since their involvement in Learning Link,” said Lenka Stedman, a parent of twin children who will be entering preschool this upcoming school year. “They have opportunities to interact with kids their age, enjoy art activities, and participate in learning centers with educational games and toys that they don’t have access to at home. I also appreciate the insight that Sandee provides me with because she points out strengths that I haven't seen before.”

Stedman shared that her kids had a difficult time listening during story time for the first few weeks of Learning Link, but now they sit immediately and listen attentively. They have also made changes in their home environment by reading a book every day and creating a small library at home.

“The Learning Link has been such a wonderful gift to our community this year. Each week 10-12 families attend our program and with each new week comes a new step towards school readiness. It’s been very impressive to see how much each family has grown as a result of our Learning Link program,” said Sandee Bandettini, Early Learning Specialist at the district.

The Learning Link is a no cost program offered through the school district and is primarily funded through The Children and Families Commission of Orange County. The Learning Link’s main objective is to improve early childhood development by providing various learning stations to stimulate children’s minds and encourage parent and child dialogue and interaction. Center activities consist of art projects, fine and gross motor development activities, exposure to a culturally and linguistically diverse library, language development activities, as well, as health and development information for parents.

For the 2016-2017 school year, the Learning Link will be offered from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the following Tuesdays:

·       September 20^th and 27^th

·       October 4^th, 11^th, 18^th and 25^th

·       November 1^st, 8^th and 15^th

·       December 6^th and 13^th

·       January 10^th, 17^th, 24^th and 31^st

·       February 7^th, 14^th and 28^th

·       March 7^th , 14^th, 21^st and 28^th

·       April 11^th and 25^th

·       May 2^nd, 16^th and 23^rd

The district recommends that parents pre-register for Learning Link to save time during the registration process. The class size is limited to 12 children and 12 adults. To receive pre-registration materials for the Learning Link, please email Sandee Bandettini at sbandettini@lbusd.org.

The Laguna Beach Unified School District also recently opened the online registration system for transitional kindergarten, kindergarten and any new student in grades one through five entering the district for the first time. El Morro and Top of the World are hosting registration and orientation days for parents to finalize the registration process within the next few weeks. Please visit www.lbusd.org/enrollment for more information.

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06/06/2016 UPDATE: The Learning Link will have open registration days until Wednesday, June 22 in room 90 in the offices above the Laguna Beach Community Pool. Please email Sandee Bandettini to receive pre-registration materials for the Learning Link at sbandettini@lbusd.org.