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Clinton JA plans annual “JA JumpStart” program

Jul-21-2017 8:30 am - Jul-21-2017 11:30 am

The Clinton Junior Auxiliary will be offering “JA JumpStart,” a free, week-long, intensive morning program for any child entering kindergarten at Clinton Park Elementary School who has had little to no early prekindergarten education. The program will be held July 17-21 at Clinton Park from 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

Organizers for the program for this year are Jordan Osborn and Brooke Rodgers, both teachers at Clinton Park.

JumpStart is designed to help students adjust to the expectations that come with attending kindergarten in a high-performing district like Clinton Public Schools. Those expectations include not only academic preparedness, but also developed social skills.

Organizers note that many soon-to-be students have had very little social interaction with individuals outside their family. They may have great social skills in the home; but, having not routinely been in a social learning environment, have been unable to put those skills to the test. For potential students with limited social exposure, organizers say that the start of kindergarten can be a bit overwhelming. These students have the ability to learn, they just lack the social skills that would enable that learning to take place. Educators agree that such social skills are critical to enabling the child to thrive in an educational setting.

When some students enter kindergarten, many are separated from their parents for the first time, and it can be hard for children who have had no early childhood education at home or in a pre-k program to pick up those basic coping skills necessary 
for separating.

Of course, academic preparedness is critical to the success of first-time students, as well. Many students entering kindergarten cannot write their name or grip a pencil. Many others may not have ever held scissors before. Still others may never have gone to the bathroom by themselves, tied their shoes or sat quietly in a group for story time. Children without these preschool experiences are often at a loss when it comes to following basic two-step instructions.

JA JumpStart seeks to help students bridge the gap that they may otherwise experience on their first day of school. For five days, they’re taught critical basics like colors, number recognition, writing their name, shape recognition, learning the alphabet and letter sounds. All of these are basic skills that open the gateway to reading and mathematics.

Osborn and Rodgers have both had first-hand experience with the results of the program.

“Brooke and I are both teachers at Clinton Park, and we have seen the benefit of the program. It is very helpful in setting up foundational skills and preparing these kids for the kindergarten setting,” said Osborn.

JA JumpStart is a free program offered to any student who is registered to attend kindergarten at Clinton Park Elementary School in August of 2017. While it is open to any eligible student, it is not an enrichment camp or a day camp for children
in need of childcare.

Parents or guardians who are interested in sending their child to the program may email Jordan Osborn at josborn@clintonpublicschools.com or Brooke Rodgers at brodgers@clintonpublicschools.com or visit the Junior Auxiliary of Clinton’s website at www.jaclinton.com.

Jul-21-2017 8:30 am - Jul-21-2017 11:30 am