KindergartenTransition in the

Easton Area School District

Welcome!

Session Objectives• Learn about transition efforts in the Easton Area

School District—including history and current activities

• Showcase sample branding materials and data collection methods

• Discuss challenges to the work and ideas for sustainability

• Allow for group time to discuss transition in your own districts

Group Thoughts• What do you hope to learn from this session?

Our District• Approx. 9,000

Students• 1 High School• 1 Middle School (6-8)• 1 Alternative School• 7 Elementary Schools

(K-5) [3 Title I Schools]

• 2 Community Schools • 2 Head Start

Classrooms• 1 Pre-K Counts

Classroom• District Supports: Family Connection & Communities In Schools

DemographicsDistrict-Wide:• 9,000 students• 46% Econ.

Disadvantaged• 4% ELL• 14% Special

Education

Paxinosa ES: • 700 Students• 83% Econ.

Disadvantaged• 13% ELL• 14% Special

Education

Cheston ES:• 550 Students• 77% Econ.

Disadvantaged• 8% ELL• 17% Special

Education

Beginnings• Family Connection has targeted Kindergarten

Transition as one of its key areas of focus since 2009

• A needs assessment survey was conducted with Pre-K educators, Kindergarten teachers, and EASD administration

• This survey became the basis of the Kindergarten Transition Plan, which was developed by Family Connection in conjunction with several partners and approved by the EASD School Board in 2011

Transition Plan• Main Goal: Create activities & align systems to

ensure a seamless transition for students and families from Pre-K or home to Kindergarten

• It is the driving document behind the creation of the Kindergarten Connection and transition activities

• Transition serves 2 distinct populations, each equally important in creating a successful transition program—Teachers and Students/Families

• It is Research Based and a “Living Document” allowing for assessment and re-assessment

Transition PrioritiesOur three main priorities are:

Registration

Welcoming Environment

Professional Development

Readiness vs. Welcome

• What does ‘readiness’ look like?• Are the students, parents, school/district, and communityready?

• Our goal is to welcome families even if they are not “ready”

Relationships are the Key to Success

• KtO Partners: o Career Institute of Technology Tech Tykes, Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers, Spring

Garden Children’s Center, 3rd St. Alliance, YMCA

• Approximately 30 total Pre-Ks/Day Cares in Easton; variety of sizes and quality

• Grassroots development; Face-to-Face networking

• Project LEAP

• PTA Liaisons, local colleges, Easton Area Public Library, Easton Promise Neighborhood, Cops N’Kids…and more!

Transition Activities in Easton

Fall Festival• Used to promote spring registration• District-wide but in one location• Invite current kindergarten students as well as

incoming kindergarten• Fun event (Bingo/silent auction)

Public Library Visits• “Learn the Library” Event

• Story Time

• Crafts or other activity

• Tour of library

• Parents Welcome

• Transportation arranged through EASD if needed for Pre-Ks

Promotion of On-Time Kindergarten Registration

• Door Hangers• Fliers/Mailers• Banners• Website• “Hitting the Streets”• Intent to Register

Forms• Bike Raffles

Branding & Outreach

• You’ve already seen Ready Rover LIVE!

• Baby Rover Logo• T-shirts, Bags, etc.• Social Media• Text Blasts through Google

Readiness Backpacks• Given to children at Kindergarten Registration• Items with resources for use at home• Over 600 given

Readiness Backpacks

o Finger puppetso Crayonso Scissorso Paper tabletso Play dougho Bookso Activity calendar

o Open ended questionso Conversation startero Note pinned to the outside

about next event

o Priority schools get regular backpack and string backpacks for other schools.

• Looked at developmental appropriate items and cost effective

• Be more creative independently• Some items included

Bee Ready Sessions• Held only at Paxinosa & Cheston Schools• Series of 3 evenings after registration but before

summer to keep families engaged• Introduction to school and staff• Increase comfort & feel welcomed• Answer questions, create dialogue• Resources/Materials given

Spring To Kindergarten

• Family events at every EASD elementary school• May include classroom time with Kindergarten

teachers, tours, information sharing, giveaways and popsicles on the playground

Early Childhood Dialogues

• Transition topics presented to stakeholders• Over time because of the relevant of the topics

attendance has grown• Presenters have come from across the

educational spectrum

• We used surveys to obtain feedback to determine additional topics for these dialogues

Reciprocal Visits

• Reciprocal Visits piloted in 2014-15

• Teachers are required to complete an observation form to assess their experience

Data Collection• Parents and Pre-Ks complete surveys on incoming

Kindergarten students

• Collected and compiled by Family Connection; then given to Kindergarten teachers

• Surveys also conducted with Pre-K and Kindergarten teachers and administrators to assess program strengths & weaknesses

Fine Tooth Committee• Purpose to revise old transition plan because

there was no balance between family/children/school district/community

• The plan will be reviewed and updated yearly

• Pilot testing• New plan is developmentally appropriate with

the balance between stakeholders

Barriers to Transition in Easton

• Finding children not enrolled in a Pre-K• Buy-in from stakeholders• Changes in leadership at schools/Pre-K centers• Frequent changes in kindergarten staff• Funding availability• Time within the school year to accomplish goals

Sustainability• Transition coordinator• Grant Writing• Advocacy/District support/Community support

Questions & Wrap Up

Maryanne WestKindergarten Connections Coordinator

Family ConnectionsEmail: westm@eastonsd.org