Submitted by the Family Umbrella Group

Who would like to help send local 3- and 4-year-old children, who may not otherwise have the chance to attend, to high-quality preschool? Did you know that one year of half-day preschool on the island can cost more than $4,000?

Join the Family Umbrella Group for an evening of wine and cheese from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5, at the Friday Harbor House. Tickets are $35 and are available in advance from Mystical Mermaid, by mailing the Family Umbrella Group at P.O. Box 392, Friday Harbor, WA 98250 or at the door.

The Family Umbrella Group has been providing scholarships to island children for over 20 years. This year FUG has given $14,000 in scholarships to 12 children to attend local, high-quality preschool programs. FUG is proud to partner with five preschool programs in Friday Harbor: Alphabet Soup; Building Blocks; Children’s House Montessori; Lighthouse Preschool; and St. David’s Preschool.

The research on the academic, social, and emotional benefits of early learning programs is clear:

“Students who attend preschool programs are more prepared for school and are less likely to be identified as having special needs or to be held back in elementary school than children who did not attend preschool. Studies also show clear positive effects on children’s early literacy and mathematics skills,” says learningpolicyinstitute.org.

The Family Umbrella Group needs you to help us give our island children the same educational opportunities, no matter their income level, to see them all the way through high school graduation.

You will also meet new Friday Harbor Elementary School principal Caspar Van Haalen who has some things to say about the benefits of early education on long term academic success and social-emotional health.

Join us in supporting local children with wine tastings; hors d’oeuvres; community; live auction items; help support the most vulnerable among us — the children; and prepare them for future success.