It would seem logical to assume children are on equal footing their first day of kindergarten, but that is far from the case.
Children whose parents read to and interacted with them from infancy, as well as those that were part of a quality early child care program, are generally far ahead of their peers and better prepared for academic success.
As part of Act 3, a law passed by the Louisiana Legislature in 2012 to unify early childhood education standards and ensure more children enter kindergarten ready to learn, Bossier Schools is helping get the word out about how parents can best help prepare their child for school, beginning at birth.
Educators in Bossier Schools’ Early Childhood Education, Title I and and Special Education departments came bearing gifts during a recent visit to 16 Head Start, child care centers and PreK classes participating in the Bossier Parish Early Childhood Education Community Network. In an effort to promote literacy, Bossier Schools distributed some 2,000 books and book bags for children to take home.
By electing to be a part of Bossier’s ECE community network, child care providers and early childhood educators have received professional development and raised the educational standards provided at their publicly-funded facilities.
According to the Step Forward 2016 Report to the Community, about half of all kindergarteners in the metropolitan area of Shreveport/Bossier City lack the letter and number awareness, understanding and fluency expected of students at this grade level upon school entry.
This means each year, about 3,000 local five-year-olds are not prepared when they begin school in the fall. Bossier Schools is trying to change that.
In addition to distributing books, Bossier early childhood educators also came with fliers in hand to notify parents of the February 22-26 application period to enroll children from birth to five years of age within Bossier’s community network, as well as Bossier Schools’ PreK..
Parents can get more information and obtain an application by going to http://www.bossierschools.org/BossierEarlyChildhoodCommunityNetwork.
Once visiting the site, they will be able to list their first through third choices for a child care provider. A schedule is also posted as to when and where applications can be picked up. Applications are also available at the Bossier Instructional Center, located at 2719 Airline Drive. All applications must be received at Bossier Instructional Center by April 4, 2016.
Bossier’s Early Childhood Community Network Leadership team is working hard to unify publicly-funded child care, Head Start and PreK. They strive to ensure that early childhood learning environments are characterized by high expectations each day, with their focus on preparing all children for kindergarten.
Applications for the Bossier Early Childhood Community Network Roundup for children birth to five years of age is February 22-26.
Applications are being accepted at the following locations:
Monday, Feb. 22
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Hooter Park Recreation Center
1519 Hooter Dr., Bossier City
Tuesday, Feb. 23
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Booker Memorial CME Church
146 New Bethel Booker, Benton, LA
Wednesday, Feb. 24
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Greater New Zion Baptist Church
421 Oak Ridge Drive, Benton
Thursday, Feb. 25
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wesley Chapel Christian Methodist
6018 U.S. Hwy 80, Haughton
Friday, Feb. 26
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Bossier Parish Parent Education Center
1520 Cox Street, Bossier City
Step 1: Attend roundup
Step 2: Complete and return application by April 4, 2016
*Mail application to: Bossier Instructional Center, 2719 Airline Drive, Bossier City, LA 71111
Step 3: You will receive a postcard/invitation to register
**Application does not guarantee a placement into a site. For questions call (318) 549-6200.