I think it's great that your PTO wants to reach out like this. Early education is so crucial.

In our rural area, schools have formed partnerships with the local library system on things like early reading programs and parenting workshops (covering a myriad of topics), the local management board (oversees the accquisition and dispersion of grant funding for newly established and existing programs), the local health department on things like mental health issues, family cohesion, and more; then there are the universities, hospitals, pediatricians, psychologists, church groups, civic organizations, and others.

The ( U.S. Dept. of Ed. website, your state deptartment of education website and even health care facilities offer invaluable and vast amounts of information on programs offered in your state and region.

Check with local civic groups, churches, daycares, etc. to see if anyone is currently offering or wants to offer kindergarten readiness classes, early childhood development and education services, etc. Sometimes, groups with the same goal duplicate efforts due to a lack of communication and understanding of what each other is doing.

After having had a similar thing happen regarding a different type of program, I have begun to attend (or send someone else when I can't attend) as many meetings, workshops, discussion groups, conferences, etc. as are offered locally and regionally. This way, I seldom am unaware of a program our local schools could be utilizing.

Naturally, there isn't very much in my little area, but what programs are offered, we try to utilize in our different schools, either one at a time or through coalitions with other schools to maximize the turnout and participation.

It doesn't always work though. Lots of times, for us at least, parents are slow to get going. They see the program, read about it, are interested in it, and yet, don't take advantage of it. It has been a battle getting parents to come out just for the presentation, class or discussion, but by bringing the discussion to the parents at other functions (incorporating it into PTA meetings, family functions, bazaars, dinners, etc.) they get a glimpse of what it is about and most times, they have come back. But like I said, not always.

Well, I hope this helps. Sorry for rambling. Good luck to you!!

As a side note, how about having a once a month Play group for those children? Can the PTO put one together and let the kids use the school's playground for an hour? Especially in the spring, the moms can BYO lunch and have a "Picnic" at the school--or purchase lunch there.

Many outreach organizations would love to come talk to them; or someone from the school district can come. Have a "lunch and learn" program. I read that somewhere and just love the idea!

Lisa @ Tx

TCEW, I applaud and give thumbs up to your district for reaching out beyond the lecture and for seeing that there is a need. Your correct living in a rural area where children don't have the opportunity to attend preschool they are at a disadvantage. I hope that those parents will take advantage of the program and be a part of a reality of what your district has set a goal for. Parents will see their children becoming achievers. This will also give them (parents) the opportunity to learn more and being prepared as to what is expected.

Thanks for all the ideas! My district already hands out a sheet with a list of skills required for Kindergarten. But most parents don't pay any attention to it. And we found that many preschool teachers didn't believe that those were the kindergarten requirements! We held meetings where the prescholl and K teachers sat down to talk curriculum. it was very enlightening for the preschool teachers and many have updated their curriculum to reflect the new state standards.

But we are a rural area and many kids don't go to preschool. Some are not leaving home for any interaction with other kids until the bus picks them up for the first day of kindergarten.Preschool is free in our district and they still don't sign the kids up. So we are going to try pushing preschool and educating parents before they get to K.

We are also hoping to try something more than just a lecture. I want to try parenting workshops that get the parents involved and thinking , so they really understand what is expected. And send them home with activities that they can do to build skills. We are also looking at more intensive screenings and meeting with parents individually to discuss the results.

We have a lot of work to do. It is always good to hear what other school are doing and what parents want from these programs. saves us from having to start from scratch!

Another thought, why don't you have someone come talk about "No Child Left Behind" act. Its very interesting. There is a video that goes along with it also. Go to the Dept of Ed website and you can order a copy for free.

Lisa

Why don't you put together a list of what they should know when they come to school. This can be handed out at registration (This is what our school does). A good place to look is in a book called "The Educated Child" by William J. Bennett. It covers PreK to 8th grade and goes over what is the minimum standards for each grade in most subjects. He was the Sec of Education a few years ago so he knows what he's talking about.

Good Luck,
Lisa @ Tx