HCPSSNew Partnership Promotes Early Childhood Programs and School Readiness
June 14th, 2017
The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is partnering with the Howard County Office of Children and Families, and Howard County licensed child care centers to familiarize students with the school environment and develop a readiness for school. The partnership was formalized with an official signing on June 15.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Office of Children and Families, and representatives from child care centers will participate on the HCPSS Transition to Kindergarten workgroup, refer eligible families to HCPSS Pre-K, and share information with families about kindergarten registration, school readiness events and opportunities.
Representatives will collaborate with the HCPSS Office of Early Childhood Programs to prepare child care center students with the knowledge, skills and behaviors necessary to participate and succeed when they begin elementary school. Representatives also will partner with neighboring elementary schools to invite HCPSS staff members to observe child care center classrooms.
HCPSS will share instructional resources, offer professional learning opportunities for child care center staff, and invite child care center teachers to observe kindergarten classes. HCPSS will also refer families that do not qualify for Pre-K to the Howard County CARE line, a free information and referral service for families seeking services for children.
Caroline Walker, HCPSS director of Curricular Programs, Elementary and Pre-K–12, and Lisa Davis, HCPSS coordinator of Early Childhood Programs, joined Howard County Government’s Director of Community Resources and Services Jacqueline Scott and the Office of Children and Families Administrator Keri Hyde to sign the formal partnership agreement at the June 15 event.
The Howard County Office of Children and Families provides information and resources for families to ensure all children in the community thrive. The office works in concert with the community to coordinate, develop, expand and enhance children and family services in Howard County.
The HCPSS Partnerships Office has united schools with more than 1,000 businesses and community organizations to enhance the educational experience of Howard County students. Partnerships benefit schools, businesses and the entire community by leveraging the resources of all participants. Partners may commit human or financial resources or other support.
For more information, contact Partnerships Office Manager Mary Schiller at 410-313-6655 or mary_schiller@hcpss.org.