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MV Parents Committed
to Kindergarten Readiness
Parents committed to readying their children for next fall’s
Mississinawa Valley kindergarten met with SPARK parent partner Marla
Threewits in a Feast for 10. Children and parents engaged in
activities selected to highlight the skills recommended for
transitioning into kindergarten.
After two months of in-home sessions, the families came together for
the first of two group-based lessons. Meeting at the school
allowed the children to become acquainted with future kindergarten
peers. They also became familiar with the school setting.
Threewits lead the session with the reading of Feast for 10 written by
Cathryn Falwell. The children participated in counting, letter
sound recognition, shopping, identifying heavy and light items, and
setting a table.
Supporting Partnerships to Assure Ready Kids (SPARK) was supported by
the W. K. Kellogg Foundation in partnership with the Sisters of Charity
Foundation of Canton from 2003 through 2013. It is now managed by
the Early Childhood Resource Center. The lessons and
activities are aligned with the Ohio Department of Education’s Early
Learning and Development Standards.
The cognitive skills of the children are evaluated and the
social-emotional, language, and motor skills are determined. When
necessary, the program provides additional supportive services in these
areas.
Children receive a book and other instructional materials each
month. Thirty-three-year education veteran Marla Threewits
provides support for the parents and models appropriate developmental
practices for parents to reinforce at home.
Following last year’s successful program, SPARK expanded the
2014-15 program to include five additional participants. These
monthly sessions will continue through the summer. Supportive
services could continue through December as the child is enrolled in
kindergarten.
The Mississinawa Valley Local School SPARK calendar will include a
seven-week language program entitled Let’s Talk, which will begin
February 17, 2015. This program is also geared to children who
will turn five before August 1, 2015 and who will enter kindergarten at
Mississinawa Valley Local School next fall.
Additional information concerning either program can be obtained by
contacting Stephanie Klingshirn, elementary principal, at 937.968.4111.
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