1. Transition to Kindergarten: A Collaboration RIDE Winter Leadership Institute RI Convention Center February 9, 2007

2. Transition to Kindergarten: A Collaboration Ready to Learn Providence Community & The Providence Public School Department

3. Statement of Purpose Partner with parents to share information regarding kindergarten registration and family activities encouraging kindergarten readiness. Empower parents to view themselves as a vital resource to the early care education (ECE) and kindergarten teacher communities. Facilitate shared professional development opportunities between the ECE community and Providence Public School District (PPSD) kindergarten teachers regarding kindergarten expectations and Rhode Island Early Learning Standards (RIELS). Promote the sharing of information and activities amongst community resources, parents, and early care and PPSD kindergarten teachers. Mobilize community resources to collaborate, share, plan and implement transition activities with the input of parents.

4. Committee Commitment R2LP Vision Statement: All children in Providence will enter school healthy and ready to learn.

5. Committee Membership 15 members Monthly meetings; rotate locations to be more inclusive Subcommittees created as needed Represents these community of adult learners: parents, early care administrators and educators, Providence Public Library management, PPSD senior & mid-management administrators, elementary school principals and literacy specialists, and staff of R2LP.

6. History of Committee The Providence Plan secured ELOA grant in 2003 to fund an Early Childhood Education (ECE) Facilitator position in PPSD Membership: Early Care Community and PPSD ECE Facilitator Focus: Revision of Kindergarten Registration Materials Elementary School Fair Kindergarten Registration Process Develop Partnership between Early Care Community and PPSD Focus: Open Schools Week International Family Fun Day Principal Survey: role of PTO and individual school plans for transition activities Public Relations: Kindergarten Registration publicized on busses and in bus shelters (English/Spanish)

7. History of Committee Strategic Planning Focus: Policy Considerations: T2K and R2LP Policy Committees discuss change in kindergarten age of entry policy and potential impact on children, families and the Providence early care community PPSD School Activities: R2LPs Parent Activity Kits be introduced at school events, mapping of early care providers Providence Public Library: introduces concept of Calendar of Family Fun Activities for pilot in Summer 2005 PPSD initiation of T2K Plans at Elementary School level Statistical Information: Committee studies results of PPSDs PALS assessments Collaboration on Professional Development activities Assessment Discussion: Committee and PPSD representatives discuss sharing of information on preschool age children with PPSD upon entry to kindergarten.

8. Committee Goals & Objectives Joint Professional Development (JPD): Initiatives for PPSD Administrators & Educators with Providence EC Providers CIS: Child Information Sheet PPSD Kindergarten Registration Parenting Education Initiatives

9. Joint Professional Development Activities Courses for Administrators & Educators based on RIELS Number of participants Course requirements College credit available

10. CIS: Child Information Sheet Committee involvement Based on RIELS Review process Final product in English/Spanish Pilot project: Summer 2006 Pilot outcomes and lessons learned Plans for 2007

11. PPSD Kindergarten Registration Training: February, 2007 on Kindergarten registration process & CIS implementation Audience: 35 Providence Head Start Family Workers and 30 R2LP AmeriCorps members R2LP and PPSD compose a joint letter supporting early Kindergarten registration. Letter to serve as an insert to R2LP and Providence Head Start newsletters (February 2007)

12. T2K Committee & PPSD Special Events Early Care Community Forum: Co-sponsors R2LP T2K Committee & PPSD When: Thursday, February 8, 2007 Where: CCRI Auditorium, Providence campus Time: 6:00 – 8:00pm Participants: Providence EC community and administrators, PPSD Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Evans; PPSD senior management Three Components: PPSD Plans for Kindergarten Registration 2007 PPSD Child Outreach Services Introduction of CIS

13. Parenting Education Activities Parenting Education Forum: Co-sponsors: PPSD Parent & Family Engagement Resource Center and T2K Committee Location: TBD When: A Saturday, May 2007 Participants: parents and caregivers of children preparing to enter kindergarten; early care community, representatives of PPSD and Providence Public Library Focus: 3-5 workshops on Kindergarten readiness; summer activities for parents and children, and community resources

14. Parenting Education Activities PPSD Math & Literacy Nights: Co-sponsors: PPSD Parent & Family Engagement Resource Center and T2K Committee When: May 2007 Location: TBD Participants: parents and caregivers of children preparing to enter kindergarten; early care community, representatives of PPSD and Providence Public Library Focus: Math and Literacy workshops on Kindergarten readiness; summer activities for parents and children, and community resources

15. Summary of Accomplishments T2K Committee represents all key community stakeholders Open and respectful dialogue Strengthening & deepening partnership between PPSD & EC community Increase in joint professional development activities for EC and PPSD communities Building on strength of EC community relationships Increasing parent education activities on transition issues Institutionalizing CIS Raising the awareness of Kindergarten transition issues

16. Where do you want to go from here?

17. Resources Contact information: Mindy Mertz Providence Public School District 401.456.9132 mindy.mertz@ppsd.org Stanley Kuziel Ready to Learn Providence 401.490.9960 skuziel@provplan.org