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Take Your Child to the Library Day Feb. 1
NEWPORT – The Pend Oreille County Library District is excited to invite families to participate in Take Your Child to the Library Day on Saturday, Feb. 1 during regular business hours. This annual celebration is a special opportunity to introduce children to the libraries, ignite a love of reading and explore all the resources local libraries have to offer.
Participating families will receive a gift card to a local business and there will be a selection of books available for children to keep. Both will be available while supplies last, so stop by early.
Children and adults can sign up for library cards with a picture ID or other proof of residence. There is no cost for a library card.
The Pend Oreille County Library District serves the community with locations in Newport, Cusick, Ione and Metaline Falls.
For more information about this or other library events, contact Library Director Mandy Walters at info@pocld. org or call 800-366-3654, Ext. 502. Check out the full events calendar at pocld.org.
Foreign exchange program seeking host families
NEWPORT – World Heritage International Student Exchange Program is seeking local families to host foreign exchange students this coming school year.
Ages 15 to 18, WH students come from a variety of countries, including Italy, Denmark, Spain, France, Germany, Ukraine, Japan and Australia, to experience American culture, family life, school, sports and more. They also share their own culture and language with their host families, who welcome the students into their home not as guests, but as family members.
WH students are selected based on academics and personality, and host families choose their student based on background, country and personal interests. They come with money for personal expenses and health, accident and liability insurance.
Host families may be single people, single parents or couples.
A nonprofit and public benefit organization, WH also offers qualified American students the opportunity to learn another language and culture by spending a school year, semester or summer with a host family in another country.
To apply or get more information, call WH program director Debbie Garbon at 1-800-888-9040, visit WH’s website at world-heritage.org or email info@world-heritage. org.
Idaho fifth graders invited to enter in national poster contest
MERIDIAN – The Idaho State Police, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice, invites fifth-grade students in the state to enter in the 42nd Annual National Missing Children’s Day Poster Contest.
By creating artwork around this year’s theme, “Bringing Our Missing Children Home,” fifth graders may both showcase their creativity and raise awareness around child safety.
National Missing Children’s Day is observed annually on May 25 and was established in memory of Etan Patz, a 6-year-old boy who went missing in 1979.
“Every child’s safety is a community responsibility, and this contest is a powerful way to spotlight the importance of bringing our missing children home,” said Kara Kelley, Idaho Missing Persons Clearinghouse manager, in a press release. “By participating in this contest, students are not just creating art; they are contributing to a vital conversation about safety and prevention in a creative and impactful way.”
All contest participants receive a letter of appreciation for their efforts. Idaho state awards certificates to the first-, second- and third-place finishers. The state winner receives a certificate from the DOJ and represents Idaho in the national competition. The national winner travels to Washington, D.C., for the National Missing Children’s Day ceremony, their poster professionally printed and displayed as a national awareness symbol.
