It takes a lot of helping hands to make Backpacks for Kids possible, and thankfully, our STEP learners are always ready to lend theirs! 💙🎒

Today, they rolled up their sleeves and tackled some of the heavy lifting, picking up backpacks and supplies from donation sites and bringing them back to the Ed Center, where they'll be sorted and prepared for distribution.
about 15 hours ago, Caton Walter
Summertime is the perfect time for updating. David Larson, Chief Technology Officer along with Mark Rogers, Director of Technology work on upgrading the projection system in the conference rooms.
4 days ago, Merribeth Tognetti
Man standing on tall ladder while another man helps from below.
Man standing on tall ladder while another man helps from below.

Caton Walter and Megan Kelley, LESA's communications Team along with Thomas Gould, Director of communications for Howell Public Schools work together to create a new video - 🎥

5 days ago, Merribeth Tognetti
Three adults, one man and two women are setting up a camera on a tripod.
One man a two women pose for a picture.

Looking for something fun to do today?

☀️Join us for our Summer Playdate—a chance for children ages 0-5 to play, explore, and make new friends while parents and caregivers connect with one another and discover local family resources.

📚Every child receives a FREE book and snack, and expecting parents will also receive a FREE gift while supplies last.

We hope to see you there! Register now to save time at check-in.


6 days ago, Megan Kelley
An image with a cartoon park in the background and an opaque overlay with the words "Join Us Today: 10 - 11:30 am at Hartland Settlers Park."

Our Pathway learners got outside for a walk around the parking lot, and let's just say the sunshine, fresh air, and a little extra freedom made for some very happy faces. 💙😊

6 days ago, Caton Walter
A young boy smiles as he moves along a sidewalk in a blue gait trainer, followed closely by a woman in a bright pink shirt.
A woman assists a young boy as he uses a pink adaptive mobility walker on an asphalt road.
A young boy uses a blue adaptive walker on a sidewalk while an adult supervisor watches nearby.
Who knew building fine motor skills could be this much fun? ✨

Our Early Head Start learners had a blast creating colorful scratch art today! As they revealed the rainbow colors underneath, they were also strengthening their finger and hand muscles by using just the right amount of pressure—a fun activity with some great learning built in! 💛
8 days ago, Caton Walter
A smiling young girl with blonde hair uses a wooden stylus to draw on rainbow scratch paper in a classroom.
A blonde toddler in a navy sweatshirt focuses on making colorful scratch-art lines at a table.
A focused toddler in a red shirt scratches colorful scribbles onto black paper using a wooden stick.
Our Livingston County Early College students are making the most of their summer by preparing for the exciting journey ahead! 🎓🍦

Through the summer, our Career Development department along with our Early College team works together to help incoming students feel prepared and ready for college.

One of the highlights of this particular session was a student panel featuring current Early College students and alumni, who shared their experiences and answered questions about what to expect. Afterward, everyone enjoyed an ice cream social, giving students the chance to continue the conversation, make new connections, and celebrate the start of this exciting next chapter!
11 days ago, Caton Walter
A group of students sitting in rows of chairs facing a presentation screen while a woman in a green shirt speaks to them.
A woman in a green shirt holding a microphone talks with a female student.
A teenage boy talks to two adults wearing educational agency lanyards.
A group of young men standing in a circle and talking under a presentation screen.
A group of male teenagers talking and eating ice cream bars in a large meeting room.
A group of teenagers standing together and socializing while eating ice cream sandwiches.
Two teenage girls stand in a large classroom, talking and eating ice cream treats.
A teenage girl wearing glasses smiles at the camera while holding an ice cream sandwich.
Two teenage boys standing side-by-side, smiling and holding ice cream treats.

Backpacks packed with love and a priceless lesson in giving back.  Three lucky grandkids learning from the very best, thank you for showing your grandkids how to make the world a little brighter, one kind act at a time.🎒❤️

L to R: Grandma​ Maggie, Will, Noelle, Ivy

12 days ago, Merribeth Tognetti
Grandma standing in front of LESA with her grandchildren holding backpacks.

🚍 This summer, we've been on the road connecting with future bus drivers at BeABusDriver events across Livingston County—including our hands-on Try-It-Out Days!

I had the chance to go behind the scenes, learn what it takes to become a school bus driver, and even get behind the wheel myself. It was great to see so many people give it a try, ask questions, and discover that they just might have what it takes to drive the next generation.

Even Chuck from WHMI stopped by to take a spin behind the wheel!

Interested in making a difference every day? Learn more at BeABusDriver.org.

12 days ago, Caton Walter
A smiling man with gray hair and glasses drives a school bus on a clear day.
Several yellow school buses are parked on a paved lot in front of a dense line of green trees, with one driver waving a green smiley face sign.
A school bus driver wearing a baseball cap smiles and chats with a woman sitting behind him.
A person uses a smartphone to record a video of a driver operating a school bus.
A man with gray hair and glasses sits in the driver's seat of a school bus while a woman wearing a gray hoodie sits nearby, watching closely.
A man wearing a baseball cap speaks into a school bus radio microphone.

When you walk into your financial institution and spot a collection box for our Backpack Giveaway 🎒📚📝, it’s more than just a place to drop off supplies—it’s a reminder of the kindness and care that lives in our community.

Every notebook, every pack of crayons, every backpack represents a neighbor helping a neighbor, a small act of generosity that makes a big difference for a child heading back to school.

15 days ago, Merribeth Tognetti
Box sitting on a table with a sign with backpack instructions
The fun didn't stop at strawberry picking! We have even more highlights from the STEP group's awesome trip to Spicer’s Orchard. From sinking hoops at the "Apple Ball" game to checking out the cool vintage tractors in the barn, it was a day packed full of smiles and great memories.
17 days ago, Pleasanna Carter
Two young men play an outdoor arcade-style basketball game housed in a green wooden structure labeled "Apple Ball." Colorful balls lie in the lanes, and the backboard features a painting of an apple and a cartoon boy.
Two men pose inside a rustic barn in front of a vintage red McCormick Farmall tractor. The man on the left gives a thumbs-up while wearing a bright yellow safety vest.
A close-up shot from behind a young man in a black tracksuit as he shoots a black basketball toward a low hoop in the "Apple Ball" game booth.
A smiling woman with short hair and sunglasses stands in a field, holding up a large cardboard box completely filled to the brim with freshly picked red strawberries.

It might be summer, but Great Start Livingston is staying busy—and making sure families across the community have plenty of opportunities to stay busy, too!

Last week's playdate in Fowlerville was packed with fun for the whole family. Children had the chance to pick out free books from Great Start Livingston and the Fowlerville Schools Book Bus, explore hands-on activities hosted by Livingston ESA's Early Childhood program, Cristian from Early On, Girl Scouts of Michigan, and other community partners, and meet members of the Fowlerville Fire Department—including their friendly fire dog!

While the kids played, families had the opportunity to connect with Livingston ESA's Early Childhood team to learn about the free preschool options available throughout Livingston County and get their questions answered about enrollment.

To top it all off, everyone cooled down at the splash pad while enjoying a beautiful summer day together.

18 days ago, Caton Walter
Two women in matching teal shirts and blue caps pose with two smiling young boys at a park playground near a book table.
Two young children and a woman explore colorful toy musical instruments on a white folding table outdoors, assisted by a volunteer in a blue t-shirt.
A young boy in a blue swim shirt smiles as he stands in the open door of a red fire utility truck next to a friendly firefighter in uniform.
A smiling woman in a purple shirt claps while sitting on the grass with toddlers and baby toys during an outdoor community event.
A young girl with blonde hair reaches for colorful children's board books stacked on a table covered in a blue tablecloth.

Two thumbs up from Ted Kroll, our Director of Adult and Alternative Learning 👍👍 as we gear up for the 2026–27 school year!

Planning is underway, ideas are flowing, and the excitement for what’s ahead is building. From new opportunities to continued support for our learners, we’re looking forward to another year of growth, connection, and success.

Let’s go! 🚀

19 days ago, Laurie Colatruglio
Man sitting at his desk giving the camera two thumbs up.
Nothing beats a sunny day in the fields! The STEP group had an amazing time strawberry picking. We searched through the patches, found some absolute gems, and definitely snuck a few taste tests along the way. Huge thumbs up from the whole crew!
19 days ago, Pleasanna Carter
Three young adults stand in a lush green strawberry patch under the sun. The man on the right gives a thumbs-up while holding a white cardboard box labeled "BERRIES" in red letters. They are all wearing lanyards with ID badges.
A close-up shot of a young person wearing a green cap and a red-and-black striped hooded sweatshirt, gently cradling a small handful of freshly picked strawberries.
A wide shot of a group of young adults gathered together in a large, open strawberry field with a dense tree line in the background. Some are holding berry boxes while others talk or search the plants.
A young man bends down with a big smile to pick strawberries from the plants, while another person searches the field further in the background.
Two women bend over side-by-side, carefully searching through the green strawberry plants growing over a bed of straw mulch.

Tummy Time fun in action! 💕
Thank you for giving Tummy Time tips, Cristian and Stephanie from Early On!

21 days ago, Lori Waite
Woman sitting on ground with infant and mom.
Woman sitting on ground with a toddler looking at books.
Stop by our Little Free Library outside the Livingston Educational Service Agency Preschool 📚

Take a book, leave a book, or discover a new favorite to enjoy together 🥰

Even babies benefit from hearing your voice and exploring colorful pictures—reading builds language, strengthens your bond, and sets the stage for future learning. Our library is always open, so stop by anytime and spark a love of reading ✨
21 days ago, Lauren Weber
A hand holding four books in front of a little library.
A huge thank you to our incredible STEP instructor and the Lansing Lugnuts organization for making this day possible! Having the opportunity to gain real-world experience inside a professional sports announcer booth was an invaluable learning moment. It's amazing to see passion turn into potential career paths!
22 days ago, Pleasanna Carter
Two men stand side-by-side smiling in front of a black backdrop covered in local radio station logos and Lansing Lugnuts team logos. The man on the right wears a black polo shirt, khaki shorts, and a media credential lanyard.
A close-up view focused on a Google Meet video call on a laptop screen, showing participants including a man named Pat Boylan. In the background, the same young man with wavy hair and glasses sits with his hands clasped, watching the meeting.
A view from outside a stadium press box or booth windows. Inside, a man with glasses and wavy hair looks out toward the field, while a person wearing a green jersey and a purple cape stands nearby on an outdoor walkway.
Summer Camp = Summer Fun! ☀️

Local youth put their skills to the test at a camp led by our CTE Firefighter instructor, learning firsthand what it takes to serve as a firefighter or police officer. 🚒🚔

24 days ago, Megan Kelley
Group of youth working together to pull a thick rope during a game of tug-of-war in a dense, wooded forest.
A group of youth holding small trophies stand alongside fire department staff for a group photo in front of a red Battalion Chief truck.
A youth wearing a blue shirt and hard hat maneuvers a large hose through a wooden doorway between two grey shipping containers during an outdoor activity.
A person in full firefighter turnout gear and a helmet crawling under a low wooden structure inside a fire station bay.
A person in a firefighter jacket and blue helmet holds a sledgehammer next to a large tire during an outdoor training course, with fire vehicles in the background.

Career exploration in action! 🚧June Job Jumpstart connected three Livingston County students with Mrs. Michael's Plumbers, Electricians, and HVAC Technicians for behind-the-scenes look at the skilled trades—including recent Hartland grad, Kyle!

June may be over, but work-based learning opportunities continue year-round! Explore available opportunities here: Career & College Readiness ↗

26 days ago, Megan Kelley
Two men standing together in front of a stone fireplace with a blue banner that reads "Welcome to Job Shadow Day."

🎉Time for a HUGE playdate! 🎉

Join us TODAY from 10 - 11:30 at Fowlerville Community Park for a fun morning designed for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers. Connect with local resources, meet other families, and enjoy play time!

✨Every child will receive a FREE book and snack, and expecting parents will also receive a FREE gift while supplies last.

Register now to save time at check-in!

27 days ago, Megan Kelley
Three woman standing together. One woman is holding a bag that says "Great Start Collaborative Livingston County." Another is holding a QR code to register for "Summer 2026 Park Playdates."
A young girl is holding onto a tightrope at a playground and walking across a thin platform.
A young girl is pushing another young girl on a big green platform swing at a playground setting.
An empty stroller sitting on the grassy park ground with a bright yellow bag hanging from the handle. The bag reads "Great Start Collaborative Livingston County. GreatStartLivingston.org." A woman can be seen in the background crouching down.
Two young kids are playing a giant game of connect four with yellow and green coins. Two parents are standing on either side chatting with one another.
An almost empty table with a table covering that reads "Great Start Collaborative Livingston County." A few half-consumed beverages sit atop the table as well as a bin of stacked yellow and blue bags.
A park full of happy families. Children are playing on the playground and doing crafts. Some parents are talking to one another.