GRPS Summer KinderCamp kicked off this week

Grand Rapids Public Schools, First Steps and the Great Start Collaborative of Kent County launched a new program on Monday, August 15 to ease the transition to kindergarten and prepare families for school success.  KinderCamp is a free, week-long program that introduces children and their parents to their elementary school and helps them adjust to the routines and expectations of kindergarten.  It is for children who will be in kindergarten during the 2011-2012 school year. 

KinderCamp is running from August 15-19 at Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Academy and Burton Elementary Schools.  The program goes from 8:30-11:30 a.m. every day, with classes for both children and parents.  KinderCamp is free to families and is being funded through an early education grant from the Early Childhood Investment Corporation and Grand Rapids Public Schools Title I funds. 

Research shows that children who start kindergarten ready to learn are likely to have success throughout their education, while children who start behind often stay behind.  KinderCamp is based on similar programs across the country that have proven effective at improving children’s readiness to learn, in part by easing the anxiety children may feel as they begin school.

“Many of our children have not had a preschool experience, so the concept of a classroom is new to them,” explained Joanne Kelty, Director of Early Childhood for GRPS. “Helping children feel comfortable in school and getting them excited about learning will prepare them to thrive from day one.”

Children who participate in KinderCamp receive backpacks and other supplies for school.  Their parents receive home organizers, parenting information and other tools that will help them ensure that their child’s education gets off to a great start.

KinderCamp is open to incoming kindergarteners who live in the neighborhoods around Burton and Martin Luther King, Jr. schools.  Families can register by calling 819-2111.