Joplin Schools’ Parents as Teachers Update

Joplin Schools’ Parents as Teachers (PAT) has been crack-a-lackin’! Read below to learn more about upcoming programs and initiatives.

Kindergarten Bootcamp and Preschool Screenings

We have launched our Kindergarten Bootcamp visits, which will provide opportunities for future students and their families to attend special preschool visits in the 2022—2023 school year. Parent Educators will offer ideas and activities to help make the transition to kindergarten smooth for the entire family. To find out more, view the event poster here.

We have also launched our preschool screenings to fill the Fall 2022 classes at Joplin Early Childhood! Families with children who will be three or four years old before August 1 are now eligible for free preschool. Enrollment numbers for Fall 2022 classes are limited, so interested parents should schedule a preschool screening and fill out an interest form (which can be found here) as soon as possible. Please make sure to schedule your child’s screening before submitting your form! View the informational flyer here.

Preschool Summit

Joplin Schools wants to partner with local preschools to collaborate and improve kindergarten readiness. Invitations will be coming in the mail to invite local preschools and nonprofit agencies to an initial preschool summit that will be held on Tuesday, March 8 at 6:00 pm.

When evaluating preschool experience, Joplin Schools found that 50% of its current kindergarten students had no preschool experience. The upcoming summit will dig deeper into this data to bring about an enhanced partnership with those who serve our birth to five-year-old children.

Additionally, Joplin Schools’ primary grade teachers have been digging deeper into the science of reading and adjusting curriculum to better instruct students in primary literacy. The academic growth we’ve observed is encouraging and promising to change the trajectory of reading achievement in the district.

How to Partner with Joplin PAT

For those who are interested in supporting Joplin PAT, there are four different options that individuals or groups can do to help.

Option 1: We are looking for formal partners who have a heart for Joplin’s littlest Eagles! If your business, faith-based organization, club, or team wants to share in the work of supporting Joplin’s infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, now is your moment! There are a variety of ways to do this, including partnering with Joplin’s Bright Futures. This can be done by completing the Joplin Bright Futures Partner Agreement here.

Option 2: If you aren’t interested in a formal partnership, you may also consider collecting and donating some of the following items or supplies:

• Baby wipes
• Disinfecting wipes
• 8-count packs of Crayola crayons
• 8-count packs of Jumbo Crayola crayons
• Washable markers
• 6-cup muffin tins
• Chinet sturdy paper plates in dessert or dinner size
• A variety of stickers
• Softball size or smaller rubber and/or plastic balls
• 3-packs of outlet plugs
• Watercolor paints
• Shoe strings (for beading and lacing)
• Colored Sharpies
• Black Sharpies
• Large, wooden alphabet blocks (1 ¾ inches or up in size)
• Nesting cups
• Baby rattles, toys, soft blocks, or connecting links
• Pencil grips for kids
• Blank reward charts
• White yarn, two skeins
• Hinged shoe boxes
• Tummy time mirrors
• Pump hand sanitizers

Option 3: You or your organization could also consider writing a check to Joplin PAT so we can do the shopping for you. You would be provided with a list of items that were purchased through your donation so you know exactly how your generous donation impacts families in our community.

Option 4: We currently have a DonorsChoose project called Kindergarten Bootcamp 2022. Individuals or groups can make a direct donation to purchase the items for this project. Donations to our project are currently being matched by Panda Cares, so a $5 donation is matched to make a $10. Those interested can find more details here.

Joplin PAT Thanks You for Your Continued Support

Your support of Joplin PAT in our community is what keeps our program growing and successful! It takes a village, and we couldn’t do it without you.

Reference:

Kerri Clouse, Parents as Teachers Program Coordinator
Joplin Schools
417.208.2069
kerriclouse@joplinschools.org