What would happen if a community united in common strategies to impact the youngest citizens?
This blog highlights my fortunate view as a Kentucky Educator. As the Executive Director of NKCES, I have the opportunity to see many great educators in action throughout Northern Kentucky. We are "moving to the edge" and taking positive risks for students. We invite you to join us-- there is always plenty of room! #NKY~TheBestPlaceToLearn
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Early Childhood Forum
While Pendleton County Schools recent test scores show
growth, challenges are in front of them as they prepare students to be College
and Career ready. What we know is that this endeavor begins prior to a child’s
enrollment in school--learning begins at birth. Kentucky’s Common Kindergarten
Entry Screener, the BRIGANCE, provides an assessment of a child’s development
in five areas: Academic/Cognitive, Language Development, Physical Development,
Self-Help and Social-Emotional Development. In Pendleton County Schools the
results of the BRIGANCE Screener show that 68.5% of our Kindergarten students
are not “equipped” with the skills to be successful in Kindergarten. In light
of the recent state Kindergarten Readiness data, Pendleton County Schools is
above the state average on preparing students to be College and Career Ready,
yet below the state average on K-Readiness.
Imagine what could happen in PCS if are actively working to positively
impact early childhood preparation in Pendleton County. As a district we are
challenged to prepare all students to be College and Career Ready and Early
Childhood Education is key.
In an effort to better prepare our youngest community members to be Kindergarten-ready, Pendleton County Schools is engaging the entire community to make a difference for kids. Our first step in this journey was to hold a community forum to share critical information in regard to early childhood preparation. The Forum was held on November 18th at 6:30, PCHS Auditorium and we were fortunate to have early childhood experts, Rick Hulefeld, KY Early Childhood Advisory Council and Brigitte Blom Ramsey, Associate Executive Director, Prichard Committee as key note speakers. During the forum Assistant Superintendent, Amy Razor, presented a challenge for all community members, no matter what role , to actively impact our youngest children. As part of our challenge, we are building a common language for the top five strategies (attached) we can communicate to build early literacy skills. Imagine the power of our uniting as a community to take this first step. If all of our PCS Educational Team promoted the same 5 strategies and then if all of our community members could communicate the same five strategies to our youngest residents/family members....Could we impact 10 more students this year, 20 more students the next and so on with a common message around literacy?
Some of the highlights of the event: Community Agencies
were present to share resources, students were engaged in literacy activities
and received a free book, also door prizes of Thanksgiving turkeys were given to families in
attendance. The keynote speakers'
message was well received by the community and plans are underway for our next
Early Childhood event. Just imagine that
for every community member that shares the "common message", we have
the potential of impacting our youngest students by better preparing them to
begin their school career! We know that a quality early education is the “great
equalizer” – the experience that can set a child, no matter his or her
background, on the path to success. If we can get it right in the first five
years, it changes everything—closing the achievement gap before it starts.
Friday, November 7, 2014
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