KINDERGYM — GYMNASTIC CLASSES FOR OUR CHILDREN

Gymnastics for children is now available here on island — Ethan Lake, Sports Commissioner, in collaboration with Brooke Kneebush from Sport Australia, has launched a KinderGym program offering the territory’s children a chance to be active in a safe environment.

KinderGym is a place where  children will be able to develop physical skills in a fun and playful way, at their own rate.

Educational research tells us that children learn best through exploring and discovering their abilities through physical activity. While developing co-ordination and self-esteem, KinderGym programs assist in your child's physical, social and cognitive development.

Three local women have recently been accredited as Beginner Coaches to begin offering KinderGym courses this week at the new gymnasium in Pago Pago.

Classes run on Tuesdays and Thursdays (numbers are limited), and parents are actively involved in their child’s learning. The program is open for children aged 1 to 5 years old, and is initially being offered free of charge. Class times are 10a.m. and 11a.m.

For further info contact Ethan at americansamoasports@gmail.com.

The KinderGym program is the first in a series of fundamental movement programs offered by Gymnastics Australia's initiative, LaunchPad. More information about Kindergym is available at http://www.gymnastics.org.au/kindergym.html

FREE SUMMER DENTAL CLINIC ONGOING

It’s not too late to get some free dental care for your children this summer. There is a Free Dental Summer Clinic being offered at the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Center in Fagatogo, where staff from the LBJ Medical Center dental office are offering the following services from now thru August 28:

*     free dental check up * dental report card  * oral health education

*     teeth cleaning  * fluoride treatment  * fissure sealants

*     fillings, extractions and referrals

These services are being offered Monday thru Friday from 8a.m. —2p.m. at the ECE main building (across from the Governor’s Mansion area). Friday, August 28 is the final day.

Children ages 13 and under are eligible for this program, and Wednesdays are for appointments only, while the rest of the week are seen on a first come/ first serve basis.

Parents and guardians must remember to bring the child’s Immunization Record or LBJ Hospital card. For more info, call the LBJ Dental Clinic at 633-1223.

SAMOANA CLASSROOM PROJECT CONTRACT AWARDED

The contract for a new classroom building on the Samoana High School campus has been awarded to Nana’s Construction.

An official from the Department of Public Works confirmed this yesterday, saying the “Notice to Proceed” or NTP will be issued either today or next week.

The job will take eight months to complete, and the end result will be similar to the new classroom building for Midkiff Elementary School in Leone.

The project will include clearing debris from the site, rubble that was left behind after the former classroom building was torn down.

The building was in such a deteriorated state that it was deemed unsafe for use and therefore, students have had to utilize make shift classrooms that were constructed inside the school’s gymnasium last year.

The work comes with a price tag of $1.3 million and should be ready for occupancy by the time the 2016-2017 school year begins.

Nana’s Construction recently completed construction of a new school building for Leatele Elementary School in Fagasa and currently, the company, owned by Fiapa’ipa’i Fruean, is constructing a new building for Aua Elementary School.