From birth to age five are some of the most critical and sensitive years for brain development, which is why the United Way of Clark, Champaign, and Madison Counties has adopted the
Thrive To Five Program for the second year in a row. Through grants provided to the Springfield City School District, they’ve been able to support a variety of initiatives aimed at supporting brain development and quality of education for students in this age group.
Pamela Shay, the director of federal programs for the school district, says it’s crucial to focus on this cohort of young minds.
“What we learn through research and years of experience is that when kids are first starting kindergarten, a lot of the time they don’t quite know all the skill sets that they should yet, for one reason or another, and are already behind because of it,” Shay explains. “If you can offer some educational opportunities for the parents alongside the kids, and provide activities to work on over the summer before they start, it gives them an opportunity to develop.”
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Springfield staff at registrationThe ultimate goal of the partnership is to provide a foundation of fundamental learning skills and competency, which will carry a child throughout their educational career, making for more empowered and passionate scholars in the future. It also maintains an element of accessibility.
“Anytime we’re working with Carrie Pedraza, the director of the United Way, she hopes for us to design programs that can be duplicated at other schools or their district,” Shay explains. “So these plans have been shared with several others, not only in the tri-county area, but agencies that she has access to…I have had the opportunity to present our model at the regional level, the state level, as well as the national level at several conferences. We’ve made connections in about 35 different states to help them create their own programs.”
Not only have these programs allowed students to learn and feel more acclimated to an educational environment, but Shay says the parents have also reported feeling more engaged with the school and having a better understanding of what resources are available.
“We’re doing so many good things here in Springfield,” Shay says. “I’ve worked in education for over 40 years before I came to Springfield about 4 years ago. To see the commitment of our community in partnering with the school district is a big thing– a lot of people don’t realize it. Everybody keeps sight of what the real purpose is, and that is to best serve the students.”
Here are four initiatives from Springfield City School District that are helping young students and their families engage in education and exercise their abilities.
1. Preschool Registration Orientation
The preschool registration orientation features multiple stations with assorted educational activities and information regarding the upcoming school year. It allows
students and parents enrolling in the Springfield City School District to see the school. Shay says they typically see 300 to 400 students attend the spring preschool registration event at the Clark Early Learning Center.
One of the skills that this age bracket needs to develop is to build strength and dexterity in their hands, so future students visit stations with activities like using playdough and writing elements that test those skills. Stations provide simple instructions so parents can assist their children with these activities and children can then take home the materials from these stations to continue practicing.
“It’s also teaching a parent how to be that first teacher,” Shay says. “Our simple instructions allow them to work on this over the summer, so they’re much better prepared when they start school in the fall. By having some of those basic skills learned before preschool, they just do that much better.”
In addition to those materials, each family is provided with a book and a kit that help them understand how to prepare for preschool.
2. Kindergarten Transition Prep
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Parents and students visiting Springfield schools during orientation.Kindergarten transition prep helps assess and prepare students who are leaving preschool. These events are offered in the spring at all ten elementary schools in the Springfield City School District. Shay estimates they saw 500 students at the pre-registration event this year.
“It’s the same concept,” Shay explains. “The kids come in and do pre-testing, as there are a lot of assessments prior to kindergarten. We also have medical teams there. The health center is there to give vaccinations– just all of these different resources set up to help support the families, and additionally, we have those varied stations set up again so the parents can learn how to teach their children and work with them over the summer.”
Students transitioning from preschool to kindergarten are also provided with a book and a kit on how to start preparing for kindergarten.
3. Kiddy Kamp
Along the same lines, Springfield City School District also offers
Kiddy Kamp for children preparing to enter kindergarten. The free, two-week program is led by Springfield City School District staff, as well as various organizations that have partnered with the school district to help prepare students and parents for their upcoming school year.
Kiddy Kamp is offered in a morning session or an afternoon session, with room for 30-40 children in each group. According to the district’s website, parents are expected to participate in Kiddy Kamp, and spots must be reserved in advance.
“It’s an educational program for the kids as much as the adults,” Shay says. “Kind of similar to the other ones we offer, yet we do a lot more to shine a light on how to recognize if there are developmental differences with your child. What are some signs to look for, or some safety items and resources that you might need to learn as a result?”
Unlike the preschool and kindergarten expositions, Kiddie Kamp is available to any family in the city or the county who is interested in participating.
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Kiddy Kamp Staff in 2024
4. Multilingual Resource Exposition
All of these opportunities and events are communicated to families via social media, a newsletter, or word of mouth, but for families who are facing a language barrier, these resources might not be as accessible. The district hopes an event scheduled for August will help alleviate this obstacle by providing various translators who can offer assistance and point families in the direction of resources.
“Through our school-based healthcare center, this workshop hopes to invite non-English speaking families to help them understand about vaccinations, vision services, dental services, wellness, and also just the processes of school,” Shay explains.