RIDE GRANT HELPS KINDERGARTENERS GET A JUMP ON SCHOOL
MIDDLETOWN, R.I. (AUGUST 21, 2023) – Summer is usually a time for students to let loose
a bit and enjoy Second Beach, hanging with friends or playing outside a bit.
However, for educators, it’s also a time where children can forget the books and lessons of
the prior year, a phenomenon known as “learning loss,” which can have a tremendous
negative impact on student progress.
Recently, the Middletown school system received a close to $56,000 grant from the Rhode
Island Department of Education (RIDE) to help push back a bit for some of the district’s
youngest students.
As part of the three-week Kindergarten Jumpstart summer enrichment program, five- and
six-year-olds were treated to a variety
of educational and hands on activities
designed to ease their transition into
A q ui d n e c k a n d Fo re s t Ave n u e
elementary schools in September.
“When I saw the opportunity for a
kindergarten Jumpstart program
through a RIDE grant, I knew the
Middletown Public Schools needed to
apply for it,” Kindergarten Jumpstart
Coordinator Kristin Scala said.
“Since Rhode Island does not yet offer
universal preschool, this was a great
opportunity to provide an early
c h i l d h o o d e d u c a t i o n l e a r n i n g
experience focusing on the Rhode
Island Early Learning and Development
Standards with our youngest learners.
The main challenge is having a
l i m i t e d n u m b e r o f s p o t s , y e t
understanding the need to offer and
expand early learning opportunities to
more students and we’re so thankful to
RIDE and everyone else for this
wonderful opportunity.”
During Jumpstart which runs from Aug. 7-24, students were greeted with a variety of highquality lessons and programming. Each day began with a morning arrival with breakfast
before moving into “Morning Circle.”
From there, things moved into structured reading activities followed by a snack and lessons
in mathematics. Then, there’s a varied play period and story time before dismissal just
before lunch.
Staff with the POW! Science! of Wakefield also provides a number of enrichment
opportunities, where kindergartners get to experience nature, storytelling, art and more
together.
Walking from class to class, Scala said it commonplace to see the students enjoying
themselves and exclaiming things like “I love snack time!” and “My favorite part is the
playground!”
Michelle Correia said her daughter Lilliana Correia-King goes to Kindergarten Jumpstart at
Forest Avenue School and was having an absolute blast.
Correia said Lilliana goes home everyday and tells her family about what she did and who
she met — both teachers and students. She also is excited to show her family what she did
in school that day, especially her ABC school work pages.
“I think this program is amazing,” Correia said. “I’m glad it exists. I find it very very helpful.”
Aquidneck School parent Megan O’Leary agreed, saying her twins Conor and Luke
Eastwood really look forward to everyday.
"They are loving it! They are excited to get on the bus and also to make friends,” O’Leary
said.
“They get very excited about the stickers and they feel like they are doing well, so I think the
positive feedback they are getting there is making them very comfortable, which will be
amazing for them since full days are coming
soon. I think just knowing their way around and
feeling comfortable in the space prior to it being
busier is giving them a great head start.”
Assistant Superintendent Michelle Fonseca said
she was proud the district was chosen for
Kindergarten Jumpstart and all the outstanding
work so far.
“It’s been such a well received program and the
feedback from students, staff and parents has
been amazing,” Fonseca said. “I know people are
probably tired of hearing us say this, but it is
truly all about the kids. Anything we can do to
help them get a jumpstart and make the
transition into kindergarten a little easier, it’s
worth it and we can’t thank RIDE enough for
their continued support.”
D o c u m e n t L i n k : h t t p s : / /
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