Great Start Shiawassee

06/11/2026

You can find information on Story Times at Shiawassee County libraries and other fun, family-friendly activities at https://www.sresd.org/great-start-shiawassee/calendar/.

June 15 - Summer Swim Lessons - Corunna Public Schools
June 15 - Paul Revere Lanterns - Morrice Library
June 16 - Hooked on Books - Bancroft Library
June 16 - Tales with Tails - Durand Library
June 17 - Video Game Club - Byron Library
June 18 - Pirate and Pixie Garden Party - Michigan 4-H Children's Garden
June 18 - Mini Hooves of Healing - Lennon Library
June 20 - Open Streets Owosso - Shiawassee Family YMCA
June 21 - The Bad Guys 2 - NCG Summer Camp Film Festival
June 24 - Motley Misfits of Magic Show - New Lothrop Library
June 29 - Suncatchers - Owosso Library
June 30 - Dino Lego Challenge - Perry Library

06/10/2026

Rivers, lakes, ponds, and streams! Shiawassee County is fortunate to have many water sources to enjoy in the summer. Sadly, drowning is a leading cause of death for children 1-4 years old in the United States. Swim lessons are one way to promote water safety.

Locally, you can take swimming lessons through:
Corunna Public Schools (https://www.corunna.k12.mi.us/article/2878322)
Chesaning Union Schools (https://www.chesaningschools.net/page/chesaning-pool)
Memorial Healthcare https://memorialhealthcare.org/wellness-center/pool-aquatics-programs/ -lessons
YMCA - Lansing (https://www.lansingymca.org/swimlessons)
City of East Lansing Parks and Rec - https://www.cityofeastlansing.com/2502/Aquatics-Classes
Swartz Creek Middle School - https://www.swartzcreek.org/o/sccs/page/community-ed or https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093227940802

Registration for Summer Swim Lessons Begins May 8, 2026 Call (989) 743-6338 to reserve your spot! ...

06/09/2026

Let's talk measurements! Put measurement skills to work during the daily routines and activities you and your toddler share. At bedtime, measure the bed with your toddler’s help:“It is 1 Kayla wide and 2 Kayla’s long!” Let your child use her senses to explore measurement concepts by lifting the “heavy” apple and the “light” pepper at the supermarket. As you cook dinner, show your toddler the “long” carrot and, after you chop it, the “short” one! Use measurement language to help your child every day, including safety! Staying 25 feet, or 70 tacos, from railroad tracks for safety!

06/08/2026

Enrollment is now open for 4-year-olds for the 2026-27 school year. Enroll TODAY: www.ShiawasseePreschool.org

Many preschool sites offer at least one-way transportation. Join us for a trip to Bentley Bright Beginnings to learn about preschoolers riding the bus. https://youtu.be/W9tmyiA2FMw?si=i2Nwm3uGuT5f-Vu2

If you have specific transportation questions, it is best to connect with individual sites.

We take a quick look at transportation for four-year-old preschoolers at Bentley Bright Beginnings in Owosso, Michigan. All of our GSRP partners offer high ...

06/05/2026

Play. Learn. Repeat. Check out the Great Start Family Coalition's newsletter, full of information that Shiawassee County parents need. https://app.smore.com/n/r4ua3

Local activities, Circles!, Preschool, Stress Buster, and Water Safety, Summer Food Resources

Play. Learn. Repeat.

06/02/2026

Let's talk about trains! What rhymes with train? Brain! Vain, vein, rain, mane (like a lion's mane! Roar!), main, plain, drain....what else rhymes?

05/28/2026

Looking to make some new memories this week? Check out all of the local, family-friendly events listed at https://www.sresd.org/great-start-shiawassee/calendar/. We are fortunate in this county to have so many activities! For example, on Thursday, June 11th, all of the following activities are happening:

9 am – 12 pm Food Pantry - First United Methodist Church - New Lothrop, First United Methodist Church

9 am – 12 pm Food Pantry - Loving Hands Pantry at First Church of God, The HUB Owosso First Church of God

9 – 10:30 am Youth Girls Soccer Camp - Owosso High School (3rd - 8th grade) Owosso High School Soccer Field

10 am – 4 pm Summer Theater Camp - Madagascar - Lebowsky Center, Lebowsky Center for Performing Arts

10 am – 12 pm Food Pantry - First United Methodist Church - Corunna, Corunna United Methodist Church

10 – 11:30 am Perinatal Support Group - Shiawassee Health & Wellness, Memorial Healthcare Hospital

10 – 11 am Early Learner and Caregiver Art Classes - Shiawassee Arts Center

11 am – 1 pm Food Pantry - Hope Vineyard Church, Hope Vineyard Church, Owosso

11:30 am – 12 pm Storytime - Morrice Library 300 Main St, Morrice, MI 48857, United States

1 – 6 pm Clay Trinket Trays - Owosso Library 502 W. Main St., Owosso, MI 48867, United States

1 – 2 pm Read with a Roar Stuffie Workshop - Corunna Library 210 E Corunna Ave, Corunna, MI 48817, United States

2 – 5 pm Rock Shining Lab - Vernon, Vernon District Public Library

2 – 3 pm Dino Figures with Happy Soul Place Pottery - Lennon Library, 11904 Lennon Rd, Lennon, MI 48449, United States

4 – 6 pm Food Pantry - MI Turning Point

4 – 6 pm Support Group - Voices for Children, The Child Advocacy Center of Shiawassee County

4 – 5 pm Bugs On Wheels - Morrice Library 300 Main St, Morrice, MI 48857, United States

5 – 7 pm Free Family Nights - Sloan Museum of Discovery, Sloan Museum of Discovery

6 – 7 pm Adulting 101 - Virtual - AI and You: Smart, Safe, and Savvy - MSU Extension

05/26/2026

Springtime fruits and veggies are delicious and nutritious! Talk about the taste and color of foods: “This strawberry is bright red! How does it taste? Is it sweet? Sour?”

05/20/2026

Thank you to all the teachers and staff who create a safe, nurturing environment for preschoolers! Your hard work and dedication mean the world to our young learners and their families.

To learn more about PreK for All in Shiawassee County, visit www.ShiawasseePreschool.org

05/19/2026

We are grateful for all the press surrounding Erik Jones' visit last week, which promoted early literacy.

Bertha Neal Elementary, Durand, MI — May 12, 2026 Many of NASCAR’s stars and the sanctioning body itself contribute significant sums of money and countless volunteer hours to various causes supporting local communities. Not always directly related to the sport of stock car racing itself. Erik Jo...