Check back here often to learn of the latest news and opportunities from WCELI partners including:
Beverly Park/WCELI Kindergarten Transition Program
Watch the Learning for Life episode that featured the WCELI Kindergarten Transition Program at Beverly Park Elementary School (aired September 8.)
Learning for Life airs every Wednesday on KING 5 Morning News on KONG 6/16 TV between 8:15 and 8:30 a.m.
Beverly Park Elementary in the Highline School District will host its first ever Kindergarten Transition Program August 30th through September 3rd. The program is part of the White Center Early Learning Initiative.
In the week before school starts, entering kindergartners spend about three hours each morning in their new classroom getting to know each other, their teacher and what to expect at school, such as how to behave in circle time, where to find the bathroom and how to get lunch. During this week, teachers also visit each family’s home to learn more about their families, set shared goals, and talk about school expectations and ways for families to support learning at home.
This program builds on the very successful Kindergarten Transition Program that East Yakima started doing in 2008. When the pilot for this program was done in East Yakima:
- Teachers said they could start teaching on Day 1 because children already knew expectations, routines and procedures.
- 99 percent of parents reported that they felt comfortable talking to their child’s teacher; 98 percent reported that their child liked school
- Principals reported that the incidents of children crying or refusing to comply on the first day of school was markedly reduced and, in most cases, eliminated.
The Kindergarten Transition program has been made possible through a grant from The Norcliffe Foundation. Evaluation of the program will be conducted by the White Center Early Learning Initiative (WCELI).
Kindergarten Transition Program in the News
For more information, contact Joan Tritchler at 425-917-7605, 253-778-7605 or jtritchler@psesd.org.
Seeds to Success Modified Field Test
- Seeds to Success Modified Field Test: Findings from the Impact and Implementation Studies- June 28, 2010 (PDF)
- Modified Field Test Key Takeaways (PDF)
- Seeds to Success Fact Sheet (PDF)
- Seeds to Success Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
Learning for Life
View KING 5's Learning for Life specials and segments at Thrive by Five Washington's website
August 18, 2010 Wednesdays with WCELI Flyer
August 18, 2010 Wednesdays with WCELI Flyer
Summer 2010 Resources and Activities Flyer in Multiple Languages
The Summer 2010 WCELI Update is Now Online
Open Arms Perinatal Services Receives 2010 Human Services Award for Innovative Program
Open Arms Perinatal Services received the 2010 Seattle Human Services Coalition’s Human Services Award for Innovative Program. The Coalition recognized Open Arms for its "response to an existing need in a new way, its ability to build upon an outstanding program model, its creativity in leveraging resources, and its positive program results."
Educare Early Learning Center Earns 2010 Civic Design Award
The Educare Early Learning Center in White Center earned a 2010 Civic Design Award from The American Institute of Architects Washington Council (AIA|WA). The AIA/WA bestowed 14 firms with its 2010 Civic Design Award during a ceremony the last week in May. The annual competition recognizes good and innovative design in civil architecture.
The Educare Early Learning Center received a Citation level award in the Individual Building category for "a demonstrated level of quality and sensitivity."
The Educare Early Learning Center is a partner of the White Center Early Learning Initiative, a Thrive by Five Washington demonstration community. The facility was built by the Puget Sound Educational Service District through a unique public/private partnership of individuals, foundations, governmental agencies and organizations. The architectural firm was Miller Hayashi Architects LLC.
King 5 Learning for Life: Outreach Doulas Supporting Latina, Somali Mothers
Giving birth and raising children should be among the most natural things in life.
But for women going through the process without the support of family and friends, the experience can be intimidating and lonely. This is especially true for women who come from a different country and culture and speak a different language.
The Outreach Doula program, started by Open Arms Perinatal Services last year as part of the larger White Center Early Learning Initiative, supports both immigrant Latina women and Somali refugees in their own languages by women of and from their own communities.
In the News: The Educare Early Learning Center
The Educare Early Learning Center held its grand opening celebration on Saturday, March 27, 2010. This community event has generated a lot of excitement about the model programs that reside in the center. Read and listen to a few of the stories about the center, the innovative programs that reside there, and why these early learning programs are important to all communities.View Media Coverage of the Educare Early Learning Center Grand Opening Celebration
Now Enrolling Birth to Five-Year-Olds for Programs Starting in February
The Educare Early Learning Center is enrolling now for subsidized, full-day, year-round infant/toddler and preschool programs for children ages birth-to-five. Applications are being accepted now. Classes will begin in late February 2010.Income-eligible families in the White Center/Boulevard Park area with children ages birth-to-five are encouraged to apply for enrollment!
Download the Application in English or Spanish (PDF)
The Center will be open from 7:00am - 6:00pm Monday through Friday and is located at 625 SW 100th St., Seattle, WA 98146.
For more information:
(206) 762-6070 (temporary number until February 1)
(206) 716-8800 (permanant number after February 1)
Interpreters are available for assistance in person and over the phone.
Educare and Head Start Early Learning in White Center
Explore Early Learning and Child Care options in White Center (PDF)
(Also available in Spanish)
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