The Sandbox Party, held on August 26th at the Breslin Student Events Center on the campus of Michigan State University, was the first evnt to draw both gubernatorial candidates. Michigan's youngest learners are a priority in the election discussion and both Rick Snyder and Virg Bernero took time out of their campaign schedule to address the crowd of over 6,000 people.
Michigan Sandbox Party Convention Draws Gubernatorial Candidates
Parent Leadership: Amy Albertson
Amy Albertson, a member of the Kalamazoo County Great Start Parent Coalition, discusses the importance of parent leadership for early childhood.
Vulnerable Children: Marvin McKinney, ECIC Executive Committee Member
Marvin McKinney, an ECIC Executive Committee member, takes a moment to discuss why children and families should be the state's first priority.
Childcare and Education: Laura Beutler and Margaret Mudge
Laura Beutler, whose son attended the GSRP program at Oakland University's Lowry Center for Early Childhood Education, and Margaret Mudge, one of the Pre-K teachers at the Lowry Center , discuss the benefits of childcare and early education.
Great Start Training Saves Lives: Glenn Cobb, child care provider
Glenn Cobb, a child care provider who completed Great Start to Quality Orientation training just 10 days earlier, takes a moment to talk about how he used his newly learned skills to save his mother.
David G. Mengebier - President, Consumers Energy Foundation: Supporting Michigan's Children
David G. Mengebier, president of the Consumers Energy Foundation, who spoke at the Sandbox Party convention in August, took a few moment afterward to share his perspective on why it is so important for business to be behind early childhood investment in Michigan.
Governor Snyder - Welcome Address to the 2012 Great Start Conference