The StrongStart outreach WonderWheels bus will be on the road bringing books to children and their families starting next week.
The WonderWheels "bookmobile" will travel from Langdale to Madeira Park from July 5 to Aug. 13, with the goal of supporting literacy and learning. It is well known that children's reading skills can fall behind during the summer months. In fact, children need to read frequently over the summer in order to maintain their reading skills from school. The bookmobile is a travelling StrongStart outreach project supported by School District No. 46 (SD46), the Ministry of Education, the Sunshine Coast Literacy Council and other community partners.
This summer it will offer books for children and their families to borrow. Families can climb aboard the bookmobile for songs, snacks and stories, and children will have the opportunity to select books to take home for the week. The bus will return to each location the following week for a continual supply of books and fun. "Summer is a wonderful time to support family literacy," said early learning coordinator Kirsten Deasey. "Many children have a more flexible schedule in the summer months, and the WonderWheels Bookmobile can bring books right to the neighbourhoods and communities where our families with young children live. This will provide more opportunities for families to experience the joys of reading together."This initiative aligns with the literacy goal of SD46.
"I am thrilled that we are able work with our community partners to offer new and innovative ways to support literacy for Sunshine Coast children," added SD46 superintendent Patrick Bocking.
The summer schedule is as follows:
Mondays
10 a.m. - Langdale Elementary School
11 a.m. - Gibsons and Area Community Centre
Noon - Gibsons Elementary School
1 p.m. - Cedar Grove Elementary SchoolWednesdays
10 a.m. - Roberts Creek Elementary School11 a.m. - Davis Bay BeachNoon - Rotary Friendship Park near the Sechelt pierFridays
10 a.m. - Madeira Park Elementary School11 a.m. - Connor Park in Halfmoon BayNoon - West Sechelt Elementary School- Submitted
