SCHOOL READINESS

The Atwater Elementary School District participates in the First 5 Merced County School Readiness Initiative.

 

WHAT IS THE SCHOOL READINESS INITIATIVE?

The School Readiness Initiative is a unique partnership with First 5 Merced County through the statewide effort developed by First 5 California to ensure that all children enter school ready to learn.

Funding for the School Readiness Initiative is provided through Proposition 10, tobacco tax, also known as the California Children and Families Act of 1998.

The School Readiness Initiative engages families, community members and educators in the important work of preparing children, birth to age five, for elementary school.

There are five “Essential and Coordinated Elements” that must be present within every School Readiness Program:

• Early Care and Education
• Parenting and Family Support
• Health and Social Services
• Schools Readiness for Children/School Capacity
• Program Infrastructure, Administration, and Evaluation

 

WHY SCHOOL READINESS?

Merced County’s children will be healthier and better prepared to reach their greatest potential in school and in life when they are supported across all five coordinated elements that exist within school readiness programs.  To accomplish this, First 5 California & First 5 Merced County adopted the definition of school readiness developed by the National Education Goals Pane (NGEP) that covers three aspects of a child’s life:

1. Children’s readiness for school
2. Schools’ readiness for children
3. Family and community supports, and services that contribute to children’s readiness for school success.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR CHILDREN TO BE “READY” FOR SCHOOL?

The NEGP states that there are five dimensions of readiness in children:

• Physical well being and motor development
• Social and emotional development
• Approached to learning
• Language development
• Cognition and general knowledge

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR SCHOOLS TO BE READY FOR CHILDREN?

Ready schools reach out to families, provide Kindergarten transition programs, communicate Kindergarten standards, cross train staff, share curriculum, and work collaboratively with community agencies to link families to them when needed.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR FAMILIES TO BE READY FOR SCHOOL?

Ready families have knowledge of the health and social services resources available in their communities that enable them to prepare their children to reach their greatest potential.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR COMMUNITIES TO BE READY FOR SCHOOL?

Ready communities have access to and provide families with health plan enrollment, basic health care, child abuse prevention, economic and educational opportunities, quality child care and access to preschool, and other early learning opportunities for children.

 

ATWATER/WINTON SCHOOL READINESS PROJECT

The Atwater schools which are involved in School Readiness are Aileen Colburn, Bellevue, and Mitchell K-6.  In Winton, the schools are Frank Sparkes and Sybil Crookham.  (These schools were determined based on the state criteria utilizing API scores)

Early Care and Education

To increase the number of preschool children who have classroom experience, there is a preschool session in each district funded by First 5.  The children are learning about social skills, developmentally appropriate cognitive skills,  gross and fine motor skills, and appropriate classroom behavior.  An experienced preschool teacher with a BA was hired to be the classroom teacher. 

Parenting and Family Support

Each district hosts a large resource fair, with approximately 25-30 exhibitors who share information about their services for families in the community.  Parent workshops are offered throughout the year.   Referrals are made to numerous parent services such as English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, Adult School, etc.  Staff helps individual families on an as-needed basis.

Health and Social Services

Staff assists families obtain Healthy Families Insurance and makes referrals for Medi-Cal application assistance.  The project works closely with the local clinics to ensure access to health services in a timely manner.   

School Capacity: 

The project staff works closely with the schools to create an effective kindergarten registration process, which includes a useful student/parent packet, academic & health screening, and opportunities for parents to learn more about getting ready for kindergarten.

For more information, contact Patti Kishi, School Readiness Coordinator 209 357-6110

Merced County School Readiness:  www.prop10.merced.ca.us

California State School Readiness:  www.ccfc.ca.gov

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