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Pre-schoolers in the Fulton school district area are preparing to make the transition to kindergarten as successful as possible thanks to the United Way’s Success By 6 pre-K Summer Program.
Administered by the individual schools, the Success By 6 Pre-K Summer Program is in each of the 9 school districts in Oswego County and has total of 15 classrooms. The Summer Program features a well rounded curriculum which includes special guest readers, a sun safety program taught by the Oswego County Cooperative Extension, and basic social skills such as how to sit and pay attention and how to properly conduct yourself in a school environment.
Joyce Garrett, a teaching assistant at Granby Elementary, is now in her second year with the Success By 6 pre-K Summer Program. She enjoys getting to know the children and helping them get familiar with a school setting. “This program introduces children to an early learning experience and helps them become comfortable the school setting. It also benefits them by aiding in their peer socialization,” said Garrett.
According to Program Coordinator, Bonnie Holmes, the Success By 6 pre-K Summer Program has been well received by both the children and the teachers. “The school districts and the teachers recognize that it is an excellent learning program. It is designed to properly prepare children with the tools and skills they need to succeed when they begin kindergarten and implemented in a way that is educational and fun for the children,” she said.
Holmes said that while the goal is the same, each district achieves it a little differently. In Granby, Ms. Garrett’s class is involved in a number of learning experiences on topics such as sun safety, playground safety, socialization among peers and an outreach program where they are designing greeting cards for those in area nursing homes. “I want my students to be ready for success and feel confident as their school experience begins,” added Garrett.
Supported by the United Way, the Success By 6 program strives to increase the effectiveness of the community to meet the needs of children up to age six and their families. By sharing information and exploring new collaborations for service delivery, Success By 6 seeks to mobilize resources to ensure all children are physically, socially, emotionally and behaviorally able to learn when entering school.
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