The Southwestern Schools Education Foundation has donated $1,000 to the Parents As Teachers program at Southwestern Central School.
Parents As Teachers is an international early childhood parent education and family support program serving families throughout pregnancy until their child enters first grade. The organization focuses on the formative years of a child's development, by encouraging family involvement, including reading and writing, has proven to enhance the child's performance assessment upon entering school. Periodic screenings also help to indentify early developmental delays for health, speech, vision and hearing problems that may require follow-up services or referrals.
"These types of programs are exactly what our foundation is for," said Lori Radack, foundation president. "We felt this program was extremely valuable in making sure that our UPK children being school with the best possible chance for success. This program has been operating for four years and statistics are becoming available as the inaugural "class" of children begins school. These statistics prove very encouraging that this program is indeed a valuable tool and we wanted to assist in their funding to make sure they will continue to provide these benefits to our district's children. "
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The Southwestern Schools Education Foundation has donated $1,000 to the Parents As Teachers program at Southwestern Central School.
Parents As Teachers is part of the Jamestown Community Learning Council. Its primary funding source is a Chautauqua County Tapestry Grant, which has allowed the organization to branch out into school districts other than Jamestown and Southwestern was the first to benefit. The executive director of the Jamestown Community Learning Council is Rosary Kolivas and the Southwestern Home Visitor is Michele Hoden.