THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 1999

Children's day

By Rory Barnett

On-Line Forty-Niner

The Isabel Patterson Child Development Center gave more than 20 children the chance to play in the grass and enjoy lunch with their parents Wednesday as part of Kids on Campus Days.

The majority of children enrolled in classes at the center have parents who attend Cal State Long Beach. The goal of the event was to bring these children closer to their parents.

CSULB students took a break from classes by having a meal with their children and participating in various activities.

"I'm just glad my daughter got to come to me here on campus instead of being at the center," said Terri Gibson, Long Beach Unified School District's on-campus representative. "The kids enjoy playing on the grass because the center doesn't have that much. Plus they are outdoors, instead of confined by a fence at the center."

The center's teachers were pleased with the parent turnout.

"It was a day at the park for the kids, and the parents had fun too," said Tami Bennett, a program teacher.

Activities ranged from painting paper-covered trees to capturing butterflies and releasing them.