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KEYS |
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KEYS is a group of community members who focus on prevention efforts for children 5-10 years of age.
Minutes of the KEYS Meeting The goal of the meeting was to open discussion of how KEYS may be of help in providing support for children transitioning into kindergarten. A letter of invitation for this meeting was sent out to preschools, kindergarten teachers and family childcare providers. Those attending were Kathleen Dionne, Beth Clifford, Bill Jevne, Tracey Hosselkus, Marilyn Sage, Bonnie Moses, Roger Moses, Susan Lynch, Ellen Fetchiet, Joanie Matter, and Cynthia Martin. Cynthia Martin began the discussion with presentation of a project in Seattle called Operation Uplift. It provided the inspiration for many ideas. Bill began discussion of what is already being done. Many preschools do have school readiness targets. More communication between those caring for preschool age children and the kindergarten teachers would be helpful in providing information about what is needed to be ready for Kindergarten. Also Marilyn brought up question about what pressures kindergarten teachers are placed under by school administrators. The new goals for learning can seem to add negative pressures for performance that may not be appropriate for the kindergarten age group. The group discussed the need for parental information about what being “ready to learn” means in terms of kindergarten age children. Parenting Matters newsletter is valuable means of bringing such information to parents. The group discussed the fact that there appears to be a communication problem in bringing valuable information about individual children from the preschool providers to the kindergarten teacher. It was suggested that perhaps some more informal method of sharing information about a child’s learning style, maturity, interests etc. could be developed. It was agreed by the group that for starters we would find out from each district what specific assessment tools are used for entering Kindergarteners. Next KEYS meeting is scheduled November 24, 2003 at OMC 4pm. Minutes submitted by Kathleen Dionne |
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