March 25, 2013kids writing

2020 Vision for Berkeley's Children & Youth

A citywide movement to ensure academic success and well-being for all children, regardless of race, ethnicity and income, was launched four years ago when the Berkeley City Council and Unified School District School Board adopted formal resolutions to close the achievement gap in Berkeley's public schools by the year 2020. City of Berkeley's Recrsueation Division joined together with First 5 Alameda County through its Neighborhood Partnership Program to improve Kindergarten Readiness for young children in the city's neediest neighborhoods. Through this partnership, new free programming was established at three sites near low performing schools: Pre-K Power Play , Together Wee Play parent child playgroups, and Parent Education Workshops.

 

Strategies for Success

City of Berkeley's Recreation Division invested heavily in staff training. They engaged Mid-continental Research for Education and Learning to train staff on Scaffolding Early Learning, an instructional approach designed to support children's self-regulation through mature play and higher order thinking skills. Principal researcher Carrie Germeroth took on the task of working with Recreation Division lead staff on the project, Denise Brown, to adopt this approach within recreation programs. After over 3 years developing the programming, this week Berkeley held an open house for the community. Representatives from Berkeley's Mayor's Office, City Council, Unified School District, local child care programs, BANANAS Resource and Referral Agency, First 5 Alameda County, City of Berkeley and Pre-K Power Play parents met with Carrie and Pre-K Power Play staff to learn about Scaffolding Early Learning and the Pre-K Power Play Program. During the presentation, Carrie remarked that she often brags about Berkeley's program and all they've accomplished.

 

Systems Integration

One of the goals of the Neighborhood Partnership is sustainability of Kindergarten Readiness programming within city systems. Berkeley's Recreation Division has accomplished that with more free or low cost programming offered to young children than ever before. According to Denise Brown, every time they open a new program for young children, it becomes full. In addition, staff members have integrated their learning into other areas of young children's programming, weaving Kindergarten Readiness into traditional recreation offerings. Learn More You can learn more about the Pre-K Power Play program and other Berkeley Recreation Division offerings by contacting Denise Brown at 510-981-6707 or dbrown@cityofberkeley.info. And to learn more about the Neighborhood Partnership's work advancing sustainable Kindergarten Readiness programming within city park & recreation and library systems come to our May 14th convening or contact Janice Edwards at Janice.edwards@first5ecc.org.

 

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