STEP into Kindergarten increases readiness rates

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Education Foundation of Indian River County, in partnership with the School District of Indian River County, believes that every child needs to begin Kindergarten ready and prepared for success. It is the organizations’ goal to provide services to meet this end.

The Foundation is very pleased to announce the success of the 2016 STEP into Kindergarten (Summer Transition Enrichment Program). The project greatly increased early literacy skills of 4-year-old children who are entering Kindergarten.

This free summer extension program operated most of June and through the end of July.

STEP was taught by certified teachers and high qualified paraprofessionals. This year, 177 children benefited from the program.

The program was provided to 4-year-old children registered to attend a school district Title I school in the 2016-2017 school year.

The following funders invested in this program:

• Children Services Advisory Committee

• CSAC Match Fund

• United Way of Indian River County

• John’s Island Community Service League

• School District Foundation Matching Grant Program

The School District of Indian River County’s Title I Department began a Pre-K to Kindergarten summer transition program in the summer of 2013. With the support of an initial grant from the John’s Island Community Service League in 2014, the Education Foundation worked collaboratively with the School District to expand the Kindergarten summer transition program. The continued generosity of the community has grown the STEP into Kindergarten program since that time.

The Education Foundation of Indian River County raised more than $200,000 in grants to support STEP into Kindergarten.

The Education Foundation is a non-profit organization that works to enhance the community’s investment in schools with the goal of achieving excellence for students and educators. It fulfills its mission by providing links from the community at large to classroom projects and goals, initiating and supporting innovative programs throughout the county’s schools, and by collaborating with Indian River Schools to develop and secure funding for professional development.

To learn more about how the Education Foundation of Indian River County supports local schools visit: www.edfoundationirc.org, email: director@edfoundationirc.org or call: (772) 564-0034.

To see a video recap of the program, visit: https://youtu.be/jOklW4c-AOA

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