3.25.2008 - 09:00am ET

(CSRwire) DUBLIN, CA - March 25, 2008 - The School of Imagination (SOI) announced today that it has been named Organization of the Year 2007, by the Mayor and City Council of Dublin, Calif. The school, which provides individualized programs tailored to the care and learning needs of all children, has been an integral part of the Dublin community for the last eight years. The time-tested programs, combined with the lowest teacher-to-student ratio in the Tri-Valley area, allow each child to develop the skills and confidence to succeed in all educational settings.

Bright Beginnings Event – Screening Children, Educating Families, Changing Futures

SOI also announced that it will host a three-day fundraising and informational event, Bright Beginnings, slated for May 15-17. This year the Bright Beginnings Event theme will address the topic of autism early detection and will provide educational community workshop programs that will extend its reach to thousands of needy children and families in the Bay Area.

SOI, together with strategic partners and community advocates including the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation, California First Five Alameda County, KKIQ Radio and Autism Speaks are joined by Bay Area pediatricians, therapists and educators as they ensure every child gets the help they need, as early as possible. Volunteers from the Pleasanton North Rotary Club will be providing crucial operational support for the family workshops and autism screenings.

"The main objective of Rotary is service and commitment to our community," said Dominic Pipitone, president, Pleasanton North Rotary Club. "The Bright Beginnings event is an incredible opportunity to serve Bay Area parents and help at-risk children. We are proud to be part of this mission."

SOI is a non-profit education center built on the award-winning methodology of the Happy Talkers Program established in 2000 by Speech Pathologist Charlene Sigman. Today, the school serves the needs of children with developmental disabilities and delays, as well as typically developing children and has improved the lives of more than 2,500 children with autism, speech delays and developmental disabilities. The School of Imagination's mission is to bring out the extraordinary in every child.

At a Volunteer Recognition Dinner sponsored by the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Lockhart presented the Organization of the Year award to SOI Founder Charlene Sigman, along with a check for $500. The school's valuable community service was further recognized with plaques from U.S. Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi and Congressman Jerry McNerney for exemplary community service.

"The School of Imagination is making a huge impact in our community and in the lives of ALL of our children," said Dublin Mayor Janet Lockhart. "It's what you've done for our community that means the most to me and we are proud to be involved in helping to create a permanent school home for our kids."

The Bright Beginnings event will kick off with the Second Annual School of Imagination Golf Tournament at the Castlewood Country Club in Pleasanton, Calif. on Thursday May 15, at 10:45 a.m. A relaxing and fun filled day of golf will be followed by an exciting night of entertainment, including live and silent auctions. All proceeds will go toward funding a permanent home for the School of Imagination. The school, which serves more than 300 children each week, is currently housed in temporary classrooms in Dublin's Crosswinds Church.

On May 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the school will offer free developmental screenings by volunteer pediatricians, therapists and educators. The event will conclude on May 17 with a day of educational seminars for parents, teachers and professionals. Parents will learn about a range of child development topics, including developmental milestones, navigating resources and children's dietary needs. The educational seminar will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and childcare will be provided. Activities on both days will be held at the School of Imagination, 6444 Sierra Court (off Dublin Blvd.) in Dublin.

"It's a great honor to be named the city's Organization of the Year and we are grateful to the City of Dublin for all the support it has given our school and our children over the last eight years," said Charlene Sigman, founder of the School of Imagination.. "We look forward to expanding our programs and reaching more children as we fulfill our dream to build a permanent school home here in Dublin."

For more information about the School of Imagination’s Bright Beginnings event visit: www.schoolofimagination.org/Events.html or call 877-KIDS-TLC, Ext. 703.

About The School of Imagination

The School of Imagination provides a small class size of 10 children with a student to teacher ratio of 4:1 or less. The curriculum consists of both structured and hands-on project learning opportunities tailored for ALL children. We implement "Zoo-phonics" and "HighReach Learning" programs into our theme-based, individualized curriculum as well as play skills, and encouragement of independence. Teamwork centers are a part of the program to develop fine motor, sensory skills, sequencing, artistic expression, music awareness, math, and science. We provide small class sizes and individualized attention with fun and unique hands-on learning strategies for all children! The School of Imagination is an inclusion program that allows your child to develop the skills and confidence to succeed in all educational settings. Designated a Champion of the "Learn the Signs, Act Early" Campaign by Center for Disease Control, the School of Imagination is a national role model for inclusion programs. Together with the support of the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation, California First Five, and the California Speech and Hearing Association, School of Imagination is committed to bring out the extraordinary in every child. For more information, or to reach our Parent Support Network, contact us at (877) KIDS-TLC or www.schoolofimagination.org.

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