Great Start Collaborative and Family Coalition of Traverse Bay

09/17/2026

Family engagement is a big part of helping kids grow as readers—and this FREE two-day event is designed for the people who work directly with children and families every day. 📚💚

So, who are “family-facing professionals”? Think librarians, home-visiting providers, faith partners, out-of-school-time program coordinators, daycare providers, birth–5th grade educators, community health professionals, early childhood educators, Early On providers, community-based literacy partners, and more.

If your work helps families support a child’s learning and development, this opportunity may be for you!

📅 October 22–23, 2026 | 9:00 AM–3:30 PM
📍 Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo
🎟️ Free event | SCECHs pending
👉 Register: bit.ly/Region8Literacy2026

Know someone who works closely with families? Tag them or share this post with them!

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Northwest Education Services

09/16/2026

Some kids love the lights, music, and excitement of a live show. For others, all of that can feel like a little too much.

That’s what makes this ART RAGEOUS performance at Great Lakes Center for the Arts so special. On Saturday, October 10 at 2:00 PM, families can enjoy a sensory-friendly showing with the house lights on, lower and more consistent sound levels, and no flashing or strobe lights.

Music, dance, color, and live painting all happening together on stage. What more could you ask for!

If you’ve been looking for a fun arts experience that feels a little more welcoming and comfortable for your family, this might be a great one to try. 💛

Tickets are on sale now at GreatLakesCFA.org or by calling 231-439-2610.

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09/15/2026

Parents and caregivers—your voice matters!

Proposed changes could affect important Head Start supports like health screenings, class sizes, services for children with disabilities, and parent decision-making.

You can help protect the Head Start standards families count on by adding your name to the Parent Letter by September 30, 2026. It only takes a few minutes to speak up for children and families!

Head Start parents and caregivers know firsthand what makes this program work for children and families.

Right now, the federal government is considering changes to the Head Start Program Performance Standards through a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). An NPRM is part of the federal rulemaking process and gives the public an opportunity to weigh in before proposed changes become final.

These changes could affect health and other essential services, staff-to-child ratios, disability supports, eligibility, how children build English proficiency and opportunities for parents to lead.

Your experience matters in this conversation. Sign NHSA’s national Parent Sign-On Letter by September 30, 2026, and help make sure parent voices are heard: https://nhsa.org/how-to-speak-up-for-head-start/

09/09/2026

🎒 School is back in session—and that means playgroups are up and running too! 🎉

The 2026–2027 School Year Playgroup Calendar is here, with opportunities across Northwest Michigan for families to play, connect, and build community together.

Visit the Playgroups page at HelpMeGrowUpNorth.org to subscribe to the calendar, download the PDF, or explore the Playgroup Network Map to find a group near you!

We can’t wait to see families back at playgroup this school year! 💛



Northwest Education Services Parenting Communities of Leelanau County
Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency
Great Lakes Children's Museum
Grass River Natural Area
COGNiTiON
Traverse Area District Library

09/08/2026

Don't miss this grant opportunity! Apply by Sept. 11.

𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲?

The 2026–27 Region 2 MiFamily Engagement Grant is open to schools and community organizations across Char-Em ISD, Manistee ISD, Northwest Education Services, and Wexford-Missaukee ISD.

We’re looking for projects that build on community strengths and use authentic relationships and meaningful family partnerships to support children’s learning, development, and well-being.

Apply by September 11
bit.ly/MiFamGrant26-27

𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐚? 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P1tDXTD0RBS9mKDUUAIUBERO4uqGsZoJ/view?usp=drive_link

09/08/2026

📣 Playgroup Reminder!

Tomorrow’s playgroup at the Great Lakes Children's Museum is cancelled while the museum completes a deep clean. 🧼✨

We’ll miss seeing everyone, but we’ll be back and ready to play on September 23rd at 10:00 AM! 💛

Please help us spread the word by sharing with another family!

09/04/2026

Inspired by this year’s Opening Day theme, “Every learner. Every day. Together,” the North Ed Early Childhood team came together to celebrate the incredible impact of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Festivities included interactive art and thank you card stations, free books, good food, great people and, of course, rhinestones, and western wear—all honoring a program that brings the magic of reading to so many little learners in our community.

Here’s to a year filled with learning, connection and growing together! Education Services

09/03/2026

🍎 September is full of simple, fun ways to learn and play together!

Check out our September Early Childhood Activity Calendar for easy ideas like reading a book, building with blocks, going on a color walk, singing fall songs, and getting outside together.

Which activity will your family try first? 💛



Clickable link - https://canva.link/z7jjn03tcbq814b

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09/03/2026

The Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA) playgroup in Honor is cancelled for today due to power outages.

We hope to see you at the next playgroup on September 17 from 10 - 11:30 AM at 9938 Honor HWY, Honor.

08/13/2026

The Kingsley Splashpad playgroup is cancelled today. Families are still welcome to attend the splashpad - Ms. Erica just wont be there to welcome you with a smiling face today.

Kingsley Splash-Pad Playgroup (for 0-5 year olds and their caregivers)