Bernie, Missouri - The newly formed Bernie Chamber of Commerce is excited to invite you to an Old Fashioned Christmas in downtown Bernie on Saturday, December 10, 2016 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Outdoor Christmas Movie will begin at 4:30 p.m. and will run throughout the evening.  Be sure to bring a chair and a blanket!  The Christmas Classic surprise movie will be in the outdoor pavilion between Save U Tax Too and Otasco.

FREE Photos with Santa will be available next to Main Street Pizza.  Santa's sleigh will be located in the middle of Main Street between City Hall and Smitty's.

Christmas Toy Drive - so please bring a new toy, unwrapped for boys and girls of the Stoddard County Children's Home.  Santa's Sleigh and Elves will be set up in front of Main Street Pizza to help collect your gifts!  You don't want to bring a gift, financial donations will also be taken for the Children's Home.

The final activity of the night will be the Christmas Tree Lighting.  The Chamber asks that the community gather at 7:00 p.m. at the corner of Main St. and Hwy 25 for the lighting of the Community Tree.

Throughout the event, many downtown businesses will be open late.  Other businesses and churches will have booths set up doing crafts, snacks, and other activities for children and adults to enjoy.

If you would like to participate please contact Bernie Chamber Director Paige Williams at (573) 421-1396.  If you are unable to participate donations are accepted.  Click HERE for the events page on Facebook.

Bernie, Missouri - The Malden Walmart recently provided the Bernie Parents as Teachers program with a $1,000 grant to support them in their efforts to meet the needs of their community's families and children.

With the belief that parents are their children's first and most influential teacher, the Parents as Teachers program aims to help parents and children learn, grow, and develop together to realize their full potential.

Pictured presenting the check to one of Bernie's parent educators is Courtney McGarity is Malden Walmart store manager, Gary Eaton.

Photo provided.

Bernie, Missouri - Veterans Day Breakfast will be held at the Bernie High School cafeteria on Friday, November 11, 2016 from 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Bernie Junior High and High School students thank each Veteran for their service and our freedom.

Following the breakfast an assembly will be held at 9:00 a.m. to honor our service members.

There will also be a voluntary tour of the Bernie school building after the assembly.

Bernie, Missouri - Parents as Teachers in Bernie have selected Caleb Powell as the September Student of the Month.

Caleb Powell is the four year old son of Kris and Lori Powell.

Caleb enjoys playing outside, riding his bicycle, and playing with his cars, truck, and trains.  

During the family's PAT visits with Mrs. McGarity, Caleb learns about letters, numbers, shapes, and colors while participating in fun activities.

He also looks forward to getting a new book at each PAT visit and reading it with his parents and sisters.

If you would like to know more about Parents as Teachers contact Courtney McGarity or Casey Arnold at 573-293-5335, ext 293 or find them on Facebook by clicking HERE.

The following information was taken directly from the Parent as Teachers Missouri website.  For more information click HERE.

Our Vision

All children will learn, grow and develop to realize their full potential.

Our Mission

To provide the information, support and encouragement parents need to help their children develop optimally during the crucial early years of life.

Our Values

The early years of a child's life are critical for optimal development and provide the foundation for success in school and in life.

Parents are their children's first and most influential teachers.

Established and emerging research should be the foundation of parent education and family support curricula, training, materials and services.

All young children and their families deserve the same opportunities to succeed, regardless of any demographic, geographic or economic considerations.

An understanding and appreciation of the history and traditions of diverse cultures is essential in serving families.

History

In 1981, Missouri pioneered the concept of helping parents embrace their important role as their child’s first and best teacher. Today, Parents as Teachers continues to equip early childhood organizations and professionals with information and tools that are relevant—and widely applicable—to today’s parents, families and children.

The Parents as Teachers leadership team and Board of Directors is engaged in a three-year strategic plan, which positions the organization as a valued partner to support the organizations and professionals who serve families and children, especially those most vulnerable.

The concept for Parents as Teachers was developed in the 1970s when Missouri educators noted that children were beginning kindergarten with varying levels of school readiness. Research showed that greater parent involvement is a critical link in the child's development of learning skills, including reading and writing.

Early childhood professionals suggested that a program to provide early detection of developmental delays and health issues, and parent education to help parents understand their role in encouraging their child's development from the beginning could help improve school readiness and parent involvement.

With funding from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and The Danforth Foundation, Parents as Teachers began in 1981 in Missouri as a pilot project for first-time parents of newborns. Recognizing the program's benefits and cost effectiveness, the Missouri legislature provided state funding in 1985 to implement Parents as Teachers programs in all Missouri school districts. Since 1985, Parents as Teachers has expanded to all 50 states and six other countries.

Bernie, Missouri - The Bernie Senior Beta Club will be hosting the Stuff-a-Bus event on Saturday, August 6th.

The event will be from 10 am to 4 pm at the Malden Wal-Mart.

The Beta Club will be loading the collecting school supplies on to a Bernie School bus during the event.  All supplies collected will be used by Bernie students.