The mission of FAST and Bearcat Buddies is to increase the school readiness skills of Pre-K children in our community by encouraging families to be actively involved in their child's education, providing curriculum, educational resources, and training for families and early education community providers.
Bearcat Buddies are located at Douglas Primary School, offering pre-K students the opportunity to experience the school setting before kindergarten. Skills worked on will prepare students for successful entry into the K-12 programs at CCSD#1.
NEW BOCES, or Northeast Wyoming Board of Cooperative Educational Services, is designed to assist and enhance the local school district's commitment to successful student outcomes. The purpose of educational cooperatives is to provide a variety of non-traditional educational services.
Wendy has served the Converse County School District #1 as the Reading Specialist for the last three years. She has a Master of Education in Elementary Curriculum and Instruction/Reading K-8 and her Reading Specialist Endorsement. She has a B.S. in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Early Childhood Education. She is certified to teach all 12 modules of LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling), a nationally known and scientifically based reading research-based staff development program for reading, writing, and spelling teachers.
As the FAST provider, she will provide community providers with curriculum, support, and training for children ages 3-5. Wendy also offers classes and support for parents seeking their children's early childhood education and school readiness opportunities. Within these two endeavors, she helps provide children with developmentally appropriate lessons and activities to increase language, Literacy, and school transition skills.
Language and Literacy are essential components in child development, beginning before birth. Our Families And School Transitions program aims to support early childhood providers and parents in providing fun, educational, and developmentally appropriate activities and lessons to engage parents and children in learning. Currently, our program serves children from ages two to Pre-Kindergarten. Another goal will be to add in our birth to 2 year old's for a well-rounded program.
These free classes are a fun interactive learning time for parents/guardians and their children to develop school-readiness skills.
All classes are designed for parents/guardians and children to attend and work together.
- Pre-K class (4-5 year-olds): Wednesdays 9am - 11am
- Little Me Classes (3-4 year-olds): Thursdays 9am - 10:15 am
- TOT TIME (2 year olds): Beginning November 19; every Tuesday from 9:30 am-10:30 am
- Bearcat Buddies (5 Years of Age as of September 15 or who need additional school exposure before beginning Kindergarten) - 12:30 pm - 3:30 Pm Monday - Friday as per district calendar.
Location: Douglas Primary School
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/FAST-Family-And-School-Transition/526650440737904
Free books from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library! Contact Wendy Gamble at [email protected] or contact her at 307-358-3502. You can click here to check our CCSD1 page on their site.
You can register your child to receive a free book until their fifth birthday that is appropriate for their age. Spending time with your child and an open book is a wise investment. Register for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library if your child lives in Douglas. Let us celebrate reading. Please complete the registration form and return it to HeadStart, so your child will receive a free book every month in the mail!
