NEWS--

For immediate release

August 18, 2008

Bloomington expands early childhood program

for at-risk students

Washburn Elementary School readying its future kindergarteners

Washburn Elementary School will welcome its future students through an expansion of the Bloomington Public Schools' early childhood education program.

The district's Community Education Department will open a Kinderprep class for four-year-olds who will be attending Washburn’s kindergarten next school year. The preschool students, who are identified with factors that put them at risk for school achievement, will participate in an early literacy school readiness program four afternoons a week.

Pre-kindergarten children who have attended similar programs at both the Pond and Southwood Early Childhood Family Centers have shown measurable success, said Kay Miller, early childhood coordinator.

"Research shows early childhood education as a strong contributor to later school success and instrumental in closing the achievement gap," said Miller. "Our data shows students who have previously participated in these programs score equal to their peers in the kindergarten assessments."

Integrating the program in the elementary school affords the children a more seamless transition into kindergarten, as well as the opportunities to experience the resources the school offers such as music and physical education, said Principal Jon Millerhagen.