Born Learning Trail Dedication June 20, 2009

The Born Learning Connection, South Madison Community Foundation, Town of Pendleton and United Way of Madison County will dedicate an outdoor learning trail at Brown Pool Park in Pendleton as part of United Way of Madison County’s “Day of Action.” United Way of Madison County joins United Ways across the country in this second annual event.
The event theme, “Celebrating the Superheros in your life,” honors parents and caregivers that support early education for young children. Superman, Spiderman Wonder Woman, and the Pendleton Heights High School Arabian horse will be on hand to distribute books, balloons and refreshments to children ages 0-5. The event is free and open to the public.
WHEN:
Saturday, June 20, 2009
1-2 p.m.
WHERE:
Town of Pendleton’s Brown Pool Park located at 591 E. Water Street in Pendleton
WHO:
Don Henderson, Pendleton Town Council President, Jo DeWitt, Town Office Manager; Pendleton Parks Department President, Steve Custer and Parks Superintendent, Ron Barnhart; South Madison Community Foundation Executive Director, Lisa Floyd; United Way of Madison County Vice President, Nancy Anderson; Pendleton Kiwanis President, Joe Godleski and members; Pendleton Community Library, Alisha Pitman, and Born Learning Connection staff, Joanne Hadley and Mary Lee Ewald will participate in the ribbon cutting ceremony. South Madison County preschools, South Madison Youth Commission members, the Arabian Horse, Spiderman, Superman and Wonder Woman will also be on hand to join in the festivities.
WHY:
Born Learning Trails are a fun, easy way for Madison County parents, grandparents and caregivers to use outdoor activities to build learning critical for school readiness. A series of nine signs offering educational games (approved by experts) guide adults on specific ways to create learning games outdoors and suggest tips to use at home.
UNITED WAY’S NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION:
Our community joins people all across the country who are getting involved and taking action – demonstrating how they LIVE UNITED™ by giving, advocating and volunteering in the areas of education, income and health.
United Way of Madison County’s Day of Action focuses on education, the key to getting a good job, one with a good income and health care, and the key to a good life for individuals and our community. United Way of America has put a stake in the ground on education by announcing a national goal to cut the number of high school dropouts in half by 2018.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES:
• Spiderman, Superman and Wonder Woman passing out books to children;
• Children with Pendleton High School’s Arabian Horse;
• Preschooler’s “paper chain” being cut by community partners as part of ribbon cutting ceremony;
• Volunteers from Pendleton Kiwanis Club, South Madison Youth Commission and Born Learning Connection/United Way staff distributing books, refreshments and balloons and demonstrating the nine early learning activity signs to parents, caregivers and children.
BACKGROUND:
In Madison County 66 percent of our children enter kindergarten behind the national average in early reading abilities. This year a projected 900 + students will not have the necessary pre literacy skills as they enter kindergarten to be proficient readers by third grade.
Our youngest children lack adequate exposure to the written and spoken word. Born Learning will work with our parents, giving them the tools and confidence they need to teach and nurture their children everyday through teachable moments.
ABOUT BORN LEARNING CONNECTION- A SERVICE OF UNITED WAY OF MADISON COUNTY:
The goal of the Born Learning Connection is to ensure all Madison County children enter school with the skills to be successful learners. Born Learning Connection made up of representatives from schools, agencies, and community partners identifies and recommends strategies to increase parental involvement in early childhood development of young children in Madison County. Strategies include: Blast Off to Kindergarten, Family Literacy Parties, Play-n-Learn Groups, Pre and Post Natal Outreach, Books for Babies and the Born Learning Trails.
BORN LEARNING CONNECTION MEMBERS:
Alexandria Community Schools, Alexandria Public Library, Anderson Community Schools, Anderson Public Library, Anderson University, Community Alliance to Promote Education (CAPE), City of Anderson, Child Care Resource and Referral Center, Children’s Bureau Exchange Club Family Resource Center, Community Hospital Anderson, Early Head Start, Elwood Community Schools, Elwood Public Library, Frankton-Lapel Schools, Gateway Association, Head Start, Healthy Families of Madison County, IVY Tech, Indiana Partnerships Center, Joy Circle, Lapel Public Library, Madison County Community Foundation, Pendleton Library, South Madison Community Schools, Summitville Library and United Way of Madison County.
ABOUT UNITED WAY OF MADISON COUNTY:
United Way of Madison County supports human services throughout Madison County, Indiana and is governed by a 24 member volunteer board of directors. The organization has been a member in good standing of United Way of America since 1973. For more information, contact 765-643-7493 or visit our Web site at www.unitedwaymadisonco.org.