Program aims to ease kids into next grade

Life can be miserable for kids starting a new grade level at the beginning of the school year when unprepared academically.

The New Mexico Public Education Department introduced a program a few years ago called K-3 Plus to help.

The idea is: “increased time in kindergarten and the early grades narrows the achievement gap between at-risk students and other students.”

The program works by extending the school year for students entering kindergarten through third grades; for those students identified as struggling, whose parents are willing to take advantage of extra educational support.

Eligible students receive an extra 25 days of instruction before the regular school year begins.

With additional state funding, we were able to support the program at Parkview, Sandia, and La Casita elementary schools this year.

Karri Hatley, principal of Los Niños Early Intervention and Lincoln Jackson Family Center, served as administrator for this past summer’s K-3 Plus program at Parkview and shared information about its success.

According to Hatley, all three campuses had a science theme (with other core subjects overlapping). The program also drew upon Don Harrington’s Discovery Center in Amarillo as well as The Science Spectrum in Lubbock, both of whom supplied interactive science shows to the participating schools.

Parkview’s theme revolved around life science.

Hatley continued, “Our focus was a parallel between growing healthy plants and growing healthy kids. We observed that both need water, space (movement), healthy food, light, and time to grow. Community Garden hosted two of our field trips, and volunteers showed students how to care for gardens, harvest vegetables, and paint rocks.”

Hatley said Zandy Bunch, local coordinator for New Mexico State University Cooperative, played an integral role in coordinating events.

“She brought in planting materials and worked with classes to plant and monitor growing vegetables; also presenting lessons on good nutrition,” Hatley said.

“Our PE teacher, Kerry Ennis, along with teachers and educational assistants, took students bowling to encourage exercise and introduce students to an activity parents and students can do together.“

Fortunate to observe the culminating event in Parkview’s multi-purpose room, “Planting with Parents,” it was a sight to behold. The place was packed with happy families viewing students’ projects, including a dazzling array of ceramic pots students had made with art teacher, Mary Amaro, for their plants.

It was truly heartwarming to see families laughing together, enjoying each other’s company. Just the way things ought to be.

Cindy Kleyn-Kennedy is the instructional technology coordinator for Clovis Municipal Schools. Contact her at: [email protected]