San Rafael, CA – When it comes to education, kids need to be engaged all year long to spark and feed their sense of curiosity. They deserve a double dose of fun when school is out, but – News Flash! – learning can be fun, too. That’s the whole idea around the Summer Learning Backpacks program offered by the Marin County Free Library and First 5 Marin.
Raemona Little Taylor, Deputy Director of Marin County Free Library, moves boxes full of Summer Learning Backpacks.Distribution, which is free to the young recipients, is ramping up this month at all 10 MCFL branches and locations visited by MCFL’s Learning Bus. The backpacks include three bilingual books, a pencil, paper, a sharpener, crayons, a coloring/activity book, scissors, colored markers, a whiteboard with pen and eraser, and containers of Play-Doh.
“Part of why this is extra special is that the kids are getting real backpacks, not just the drawstring kind,” said Interim MCFL Director Gabriella Calicchio. “That will add to their self-esteem and confidence as they prepare to go to school – many for the first time.”
Here is the distribution plan for backpacks. MCFL staff from the Learning Bus will provide outdoor storytime and Little Learners Kits at each event.
- Thursday, July 15, noon, South Novato Library
- Monday, July 19, 10 a.m., Fairfax Library
- Wednesday, July 21, 10 a.m., Mesa Park, Bolinas
- Friday, July 23, 10:30 a.m., Civic Center Lagoon Park, San Rafael
- Friday, July 23, 10:30 a.m., Bookmobile
- Tuesday, July 27, 11 a.m., Corte Madera Library
- Thursday, July 29, 10:30 a.m., Novato Library
- Saturday, July 31, noon, Rocky Graham Park, Marin City
First 5 Marin Children and Families Commission provides strategic investments, policy leadership and community partnerships to support families and empower all children grow, learn and thrive.
“Ensuring that our youngest learners have access to tools that will facilitate learning during the summer is essential,” said First 5 Marin Executive Director Dr. Pegah Faed. “The summer learning backpacks will offer fun learning activities to prepare them for the upcoming school year.”
MCFL strives to be the preferred place for local children, families and caregivers to connect, learn and grow together. Learn more online about MCFL’s programs for kids.
Would you like to contribute to the Summer Learning Backpacks program? Check the MCFL’s foundation webpage.