SOAR- GETTING SCHOOL READY ACTION TEAM
King County School Districts: Getting School Ready Neighborhood/School Team Project 2009-2010
Purpose: The Getting School Ready Action Team is working on improving school readiness and supporting successful transitions of children and their families into kindergarten by: (1) fostering communication and building relationships among families, caregivers and schools; (2) implementing strategies to enhance early literacy and reduce nonacademic barriers to early learning (e.g., language and translation); and (3) strengthening supports for families most at risk. We are proposing that a Getting School Ready Neighborhood/School team be funded to accomplish the following outcomes.
The GSR team will:
- Participate in training and discussions to learn how families, caregivers, community resources and schools can work together to support children’s early literacy, social-emotional and cognitive development, and successful transitions.
- Assess strengths and gaps in their community’s support for early learning, school readiness and successful transitions into school.
- Develop a “Getting School Ready Connections” outreach plan that documents effective ways to reach and communicate with the community’s families, licensed and informal caregivers, community agencies, and teachers.
- Select and implement three strategies over the course of the year to:
- Educate, train and support parents/families, caregivers and educators in simple, everyday ways to promote early childhood literacy and developmentally appropriate early learning, and
- Build on neighborhood/school strengths, and better coordinate home and care settings with school
- Develop a plan for how families, caregivers, community resources and schools can maintain the work of the team over time.
Partners: This project is funded by a SOAR/United Way grant. Partners include: SOAR - Getting School Ready Action TEAM, United Way of King County-School Readiness initiative and Washington Alliance for Better Schools.
LONG TERM Benefits to the School: This project is a practical resourceful way to connect with the wider community which may yield long term benefits to the school including:
- Increase outreach to, and connection with, child care providers and families during 2009 and 2010 kindergarten enrollment.
- Strengthen involvement of families of entering kindergarteners in their child’s education.
- Entering kindergarteners are more ready for school in 2009 and 2010.
Neighborhood/School Team membership/representation: The membership of the Getting School Ready Team should consist of the following representatives:
- One school representative ( principal or head teacher) from each Elementary School in addition to a kindergarten teacher (stipend provided).
- Two early care/education teachers/providers;
- Two parent “community ambassadors” representing communities whose children are getting left behind, who will both participate in the Team and serve as a liaison to their community;
- Four representatives or more from community organizations ( King County Public Library, family support services, faith-based groups, etc.) and/or informal community leaders
Participation requested of the school and principal:
- Provide location for team meetings ( 8 in all) and possibly three- four larger community events.
- Provide one school representative to participate in the team (family support worker or school counselor, etc.) in addition to a kindergarten teacher for whom a stipend will be provided.
- School principal attends first and last team meetings (or more) and reviews strengths and gaps assessment and outreach plan.
- Principal is required to attend 2 meetings with the GSR ACTION TEAM ( Jan and May)
Timeline (Work to be conducted between meetings will be identified at each team meeting.)
Fall 2009
Apply for grant and approval received
- Recruit and meet with potential team members .
- Outreach to child care programs in surrounding neighborhoods and parents to select several candidates.
- Secure team members and invite them to first meeting.
Sept 2009 Meeting 1
- Orientation: History and purpose of the Getting School Ready Team, ages and stages development birth to six, team-building activity and agree upon team structure (roles and responsibilities etc.)
- Brainstorm strengths and gaps in school readiness for your community area.
- Finalize community strengths and determine goals for outreach plan
- Introduce and review Getting School Ready Handbook (provided)
Oct 2009 Meeting 2
- Agree on three strategies and prepare implementation plan.
- Determine action items and assign appropriate tasks.
Nov 2009 Meeting 3
Implement action plan and conduct activities.
Dec 2009 Meeting 4
- Progress report on strategies, adjust as needed.
Jan 2010 Meeting 5
- Progress report on strategies, adjust as needed.
- Discussion of how work of the team can be maintained over time.
Feb 2010 Meeting 6
- Complete action strategies and outreach activities
March 2010 Meeting 7
- Complete action strategies and plan for maintaining GSR team for year 2
April- May 2010 Meeting 8
- Reflection on GSR neighborhood team strategy: what worked, what didn’t and what should be changed. Celebration and appreciation!
Budget. Grant funds provide for the following budget: one Kindergarten teacher paid up to 25 hours @ $22 \hr.; two Child care providers stipends paid @ $250 each : two parent “ambassador” stipends paid @ $250 ea,: Funds to implement identified education/outreach strategies @$ 500. Total grant award is up to $2,150.
Contact: Patricia Kile, Interim Executive Director
425- 408-7956 or e-mail patriciakile@opendoorconsult.com
The purpose of this handbook (below) is to assist communities that are interested in improving school readiness by using the Getting School Ready Neighborhood/School Transition Teams model. This handbook describes the pilot teams and their learnings, and provides samples of their plans and handouts. It represents the experience of putting the model to use for one year. But there is certainly more to be learned!
Getting School Ready Handbook
SOAR Year-end report
Getting School Ready Handbook Appendix
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