ST. REGIS – An event at the St. Regis elementary school gym last week featured an organization dedicated to helping parents better understand child development and makes sure parents have access to important resources.

The event included dinner and then an activity designed to be fun but also to help children exercise and develop young muscles.

Parents as Teachers Program Coordinator Ryanne Burklund said the family night event helps kids learn how to develop strength as well as working their brains with a fun activity. Last week, the kids were making homemade play dough.

“It’s not just making play dough,” Burklund said. “They are going to create different things with the play dough.”

The Parents as Teachers Program partnered with the 21st Century Grant Program to host the event. Julie Burklund, 21st Century Grant Director, said the grant provides opportunities for students after the last bell of the day has rung.

“The grant provides after school and summer programs for students,” Burklund said. “In the summer we have four weeks of summer camps and other activities for junior high and high school students. We provide a place for students to do their homework and a safe place to be until their parents can pick them up.”

Burklund said the grant has been received by St. Regis and Alberton in the past. She said the financial assistance was a vital part of the St. Regis School District.

“It’s an essential part to our school,” Burklund said. “It make s a lot of parent’s lives easier knowing their kids are in a safe place till they get off work. It’s a great place to get homework done or other things they need for their classes.”