Ready to Read, a Preschool Promise program in partnership with the Hope Zone through Omega CDC, held events through June and July, focusing on Kindergarten-eligible children in Northwest Dayton starting the school year fully prepared to learn. The events were created in response to Ready to Read Parent Advisors and Mentors’ (FAM) request for summer programming that accommodated the schedules of working and school-attending families.
The Race to Kindergarten program was modeled after Dayton Metro Library’s Kindergarten Club, and facilitators were trained on the curriculum by Amber Cristofaro, Early Literacy Coordinator. The Hope Zone Preschool and Kindergarten teachers led the events, where attending families were given dinner and enjoyed dialogic storytime and art projects. Children received Play Kits and books, and parents were encouraged to continue learning at home with the materials.
Race to Kindergarten was open to all Hope Zone residents. A grandmother brought her granddaughter, who had not previously attended Preschool. She received the postcard invitation and “thought this was a good place to start.” They came to all eight sessions, and she shared her thanks with Family Connections Manager Hertia Mims for helping prepare her granddaughter for Kindergarten.