Birth to School Program

Welcome! Birth to School (BtS) is a CPCSC program designed to support parents/caregivers and their children aged birth-5 years, prior to kindergarten, who live in our school district. We look forward to meeting your family and having you join us this school year!

BtS is free for all CPCSC families! There are no enrollment or participation fees, and no supply list. We offer a variety of classes on various days and times for families to attend and participate in together. All lessons and activities are intentionally created to be developmentally appropriate and feature interactive, hands-on activities, following Indiana’s Early Learning Foundations. To enroll, please visit the link below.

Enrollment and Classes

ENROLL in the BIRTH to SCHOOL PROGRAM

Stay Connected!

Find us on Facebook! CPCSC Birth to School
Questions? Email Birth to School Coordinator, Jamie Kalk at jkalk@cps.k12.in.us

Our Classes

BtS offers a variety of classes with various session days and times. Prior registration is required for each class session.

Little Learners
Imaginarium

Little Learners

45-60 minute sessions for children 0-2 years with classes for different developmental age ranges. These classes include whole-group storytime, circle time, and music & movement; and independent exploratory play where parents/caregivers and children visit and participate in a variety of learning stations together. Learning focus, themes, and activities change weekly.
- Baby Class is for children 0-12 months, or non-independent walkers, who will turn 1 year old this school year. This class meets once a week for 45 minutes in the morning.
- Toddler Class is for children 13-24 months who are independent walkers and will turn 2 years old this school year. This class meets once a week for one hour, and is offered on multiple days with morning and afternoon class times.
- Littles Class is for children 25-36 months who will turn 3 years old this school year. This class meets twice a week for one hour, and is offered on multiple days with morning and afternoon class times.

Please note: Children are placed in Little Learners Series classes based on their age as of August 1. Families register for the Little Learners Series for the entire semester: September-December and/or January-May.

Enroll in the Program

Imaginarium

Meets weekly for 45 minutes and features a variety of learning stations for discovery play and sensory exploration for children 0-5 years to visit at their own pace, alongside their parents and caregivers. Imaginarium themes and activities change weekly.

Please note: Families register for Imaginarium for one week’s session at a time, not the entire semester. Registration opens one week prior to each Imaginarium session and available on a first-come, first served basis.

Enroll in the Program

Parent / Caregiver Participation

Parents/caregivers participate alongside their child(ren) in all BtS classes. To ensure the safety of all children and family members, BtS follows CPCSC safety & security guidelines. All parents/caregivers accompanying children to any BtS classes must complete the CPCSC Volunteer Form at least one week prior to attending any class. Please complete the form below. If you have any questions or in need of a printed form, please contact Birth to School Coordinator, Jamie Kalk, at jkalk@cps.k12.in.us.

Required

Birth to School Volunteer Form

I have offered my services as a volunteer to help the school corporation in the following areas:

I agree to abide by all relevant School Board policies and administrative guidelines while on duty for the Corporation. I understand that, although I am covered under the Corporation's liability insurance policy, I am not covered by its health insurance policy nor am I eligible for workers' compensation. Should I become ill or suffer an accident while doing volunteer work for the Corporation, I agree that I shall be responsible for any and all hospital and medical charges that may accrue.

I understand further that, as a volunteer, I am not in any manner considered an employee of the Corporation or entitled to any benefits provided to employees. I further release the Board from any and all liability for any damages, whatever their nature, which may result as a consequence of my volunteer services.

For the protection of the children in the school, the Corporation is required by law to inquire of its staff members whether or not they have ever been convicted of a crime related to children. We would appreciate your cooperation by indicating that you have never been convicted of any of the following offenses: aggravated murder, murder, voluntary manslaughter, involuntary manslaughter, felonious assault, aggravated assault, assault, aggravated menacing, abuse or neglect of a child, kidnapping, abduction, child stealing, criminal child enticement, rape, sexual battery, corruption of a minor, gross sexual imposition, importuning, voyeurism, public indecency, felonious sexual penetration, compelling prostitution, promoting prostitution, procuring prostitution, disseminating matter harmful to juveniles, pandering obscenity, pandering obscenity involving a minor, pandering sexually-oriented matter involving a minor, illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance, endangering children, contributing to the delinquency of children, carrying concealed weapons, improperly discharging a firearm at or into a school or house, corrupting another with drugs, placing harmful objects in or adulterating food or confection.

Namerequired

First Name

Last Name

Today's Daterequired

Must contain a date in M/D/YYYY format

Volunteer's Date of Birthrequired

Must contain a date in M/D/YYYY format

Volunteer's Race

Volunteer's Gender

Email Addressrequired

Studentsrequired

Please include the first and last name of your child(ren) and their teacher(s).

FAQs

What is Birth to School?

BtS is a system of support for families residing within the boundaries of the Crown Point Community School Corporation with children 0-5 years, not yet attending kindergarten. We offer a variety of FREE classes, including early learning opportunities, child development & parent/caregiver resources, developmental screenings, and more. BtS is not preschool or daycare, and we do not offer drop-off services. Parents/Caregivers attend and participate alongside their child(ren) in all BtS classes. To ensure everyone’s safety, each BtS class session may accommodate up to 15 children (plus 1-2 parent(s)/caregiver(s) per child).

How do I register for BtS classes?

CPCSC utilizes ParentSquare to communicate with families. Upon enrollment in BtS via the link above and residency verification, each family will receive a welcome email which contains programming information and how to connect with BtS on ParentSquare. Posts are made in ParentSquare for families to register for BtS classes, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

What is the BtS mission?

I live outside district boundaries. Can my child participate?

How can I help the BtS program?

We welcome community and business partners to work with us in the following ways: sponsoring events, providing food or giveaway donations and gift cards, sharing resources with families, and posting or distributing information about Birth to School in the community. We also welcome volunteers to assist with activities at our events. BtS is proud to partner with CPHS- where students earn community service hours (a graduation requirement) for their volunteer work. If you are interested in supporting our growing program, please contact Birth to School Coordinator, Jamie Kalk at jkalk@cps.k12.in.us.

Community Resources

The goal of First Steps is to help Hoosier families make sure their infants and toddlers receive services now to help them in the future. Services through First Steps are designed to meet the developmental needs of the child; Except in limited circumstances, First Steps does not provide services to meet medical needs.

We understand it is not always easy to recognize if your child is reaching his or her milestones for their age group. Some children may appear to be behind with speech progression, physical movements, or their attention span. http://www.indianafirststeps.org/

2-1-1 is a free and confidential service that helps Indiana residents find the local resources they need. Speak with a Community Navigator 24/7/365

Phone: Dial 2-1-1 or 1-866-211-9966 (available 24/7)

Text: Text your ZIP code to 898-211 (available Mon-Fri 8am-5pm)

Northwest Indiana Community Action provides an online directory of community resources. http://www.nwi211.com/

All Mental Health America of Lake County home visiting programs use the evidence-based Parents as Teachers curriculum to deliver the latest development-centered parenting information. The program model embraces the assumption that the child’s home is the first and most influential learning model.

The earliest years of a child’s life are critical for optimal development and provide the foundation for success in school and life. Working with parents of very young children is an opportunity to promote children’s readiness for school and set children on the path for school and life success.

To connect with Parents as Teachers call Vickie at 219.736.4955 x118 or email info@mhalakecounty.org.

Healthy Families is a nationally-recognized, evidence-based home visiting program promoting positive parenting interactions and child development in vulnerable families with children age 0-3. It is the largest evidence-based home visitation program in Lake County and the United States. To learn more about this beneficial program visit our Healthy Families page.

To connect with Healthy Families call Amber at 219.736.4955 x206 or email info@mhalakecounty.org.

Mental Health America of Lake County’s Infant Safe Sleep program was introduced in 2007, in response to the increase in child fatalities due to positional asphyxiation throughout the state. The infant safety risk continues to plague our community, as one cause of infant mortality. Lake County has significantly higher rates of infant mortality than its neighboring counties, and Indiana ranks fifth nationally for infant mortality. MHA’s infant safe sleep program promotes safe sleep practices to vulnerable families to reduce the incidence of SIDS. Participants complete safe sleep educational training and receive a portable pack ‘n play, with infant insert, for baby to sleep in until the age of one.

To find out if you qualify or to refer someone to the infant safe sleep program call Carol at 219.736.4955 x108 or email info@mhalakecounty.org.

District

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