Merrillville schools open preschool
The Merrillville Community School Corporation is launching its own preschool, offering all Ross Township families with children who turned 3-years old as of Aug. 1, 2022 the opportunity to attend. For the past three years, the school corporation has been a delegate of the Geminus Head Start Preschool Program, providing preschool classes only to eligible families. The newly launched preschool includes a total of seven classrooms with options for full or half days, and two or three days a week. Classrooms are housed in three Merrillville elementary schools; follow the corporation calendar; feature developmentally-appropriate furniture, curriculum, and materials; and are structured with a play-based design. Children will learn school readiness skills to prepare them for kindergarten. Families that do not qualify for Head Start will pay $4.40 per day for meals, but all books, materials and supplies are provided. Merrillville Preschool is approved to accept On My Way Pre-K vouchers, which awards grants to 4-year-olds from low-income families. The preschool will partner with the Merrillville High School (MHS) Child Development course. MHS students will complete some of their field experience requirements in the Merrillville Preschool classrooms. For more information, call 219-756-5940.
Registration open for National Diabetes Prevention Program
Northwest Health will offer a yearlong Diabetes Prevention Program beginning in October. Classes will be held at 901 Lincolnway, La Porte. The program includes lifestyle coaching and ongoing classes to teach participants research-based skills needed to lose weight, become more physically active and manage stress as part of their daily life. The program is part of the evidence-based National Diabetes Prevention Program led by the CDC and supported by the American Medical Association. The general public can refer themselves to the program. A risk assessment will be required before starting the program. Interested individuals can take the risk assessment to find out if they qualify for the program at www.cdc.gov/diabetes/takethetest. Northwest Health’s program is being offered at no charge to participants through a grant from the Healthcare Foundation of La Porte. To participate, interested individuals must call 219-325-7623 by Sept. 15, 2022.
Walk to End Alzheimer’s to be held in three area locations
The Alzheimer’s Association invites Northwest Indiana residents to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s and other dementias by participating in the 2022 Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The event will be held in three locations throughout the region. The Lake County Walk is set for Sept. 18 at Wicker Memorial Park, 8554 Indianapolis Blvd., Highland. The Porter County Walk will be held Oct. 2 at the William E. Urschel Pavilion, 63 Lafayette St., Valparaiso. The season will wrap up on Oct. 8 with the LaPorte County Walk at Washington Park, 115 Lakeshore Drive, Michigan City. On Walk day, participants will honor those affected by Alzheimer’s disease with Promise Flowers during the Promise Garden Ceremony, a display of hope to represent the personal reasons participants join together to fight Alzheimer’s. Registration for the walk can be found at alz.org/Indiana/walk.
Booth rentals available for Back-to-School Jamboree
The 20th Annual Back-to-School Jamboree will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 17 at Indiana University Northwest in the Savannah Center, 3400 Broadway, Gary. Refreshments will be served. Booth rentals for the event are available for $35; $45 for vendors selling food. For more information, or to rent a booth, contact Dr. Vernon G. Smith at 219-887-2046.
