New Summer Program Aims to Increase Classroom Readiness Before Kindergarten
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ALLENTOWN, Pa. (WLVT) - Officials say fewer than half of Allentown children enter kindergarten ready to learn, so community leaders met at the Learning Hub City Center to discuss how to solve this problem. The result is a new program called Summer Start.
“A high quality, intensive preschool program that will serve approximately another 90 children, preschoolers who previously have not had the benefit of a preschool experience,” said CEO and President of Community Services for Children, Paula Margraf.
This program is in partnership with Community Services for Children, Air Products, PBS39, and the Allentown School District. This is also a continuation of the Lehigh Valley Reads initiative that launched in February.
“Many of our parents are working parents that may have other responsibilities during the summer months and may not have the opportunity to enroll students or their children in summer programs,” said Superintendent of the Allentown School District, Thomas Parker. “So, here’s an opportunity for those parents to have right here in their neighborhood the opportunity to build a solid summer engagement opportunity.”
He also said it’s important to begin the learning process as early as possible, to make sure students are entering the school district with the right tools to succeed. “If they struggle to have that base, and enter elementary or kindergarten reading below level or not on par with their peers, then they have a much harder time to catch up and graduate career ready or college ready,” said Parker.
This program will start in July. It is for kids who live in the Allentown School District and will be in kindergarten in September. For more information on getting enrolled in the program, you can contact Community Services for Children at 610.437.6000 x 2171.
“A high quality, intensive preschool program that will serve approximately another 90 children, preschoolers who previously have not had the benefit of a preschool experience,” said CEO and President of Community Services for Children, Paula Margraf.
This program is in partnership with Community Services for Children, Air Products, PBS39, and the Allentown School District. This is also a continuation of the Lehigh Valley Reads initiative that launched in February.
“Many of our parents are working parents that may have other responsibilities during the summer months and may not have the opportunity to enroll students or their children in summer programs,” said Superintendent of the Allentown School District, Thomas Parker. “So, here’s an opportunity for those parents to have right here in their neighborhood the opportunity to build a solid summer engagement opportunity.”
He also said it’s important to begin the learning process as early as possible, to make sure students are entering the school district with the right tools to succeed. “If they struggle to have that base, and enter elementary or kindergarten reading below level or not on par with their peers, then they have a much harder time to catch up and graduate career ready or college ready,” said Parker.
This program will start in July. It is for kids who live in the Allentown School District and will be in kindergarten in September. For more information on getting enrolled in the program, you can contact Community Services for Children at 610.437.6000 x 2171.