Program aims to improve preschool learning

Danette Goulet

NEWPORT-MESA -- A crusade is underway in Newport-Mesa to see every

child equipped to succeed when they enter kindergarten.

On Wednesday morning, officials from the school district and outside

child-care providers met to begin putting together a “student-readiness

coalition.”

The program would be part of a two-year countywide initiative funded

by tobacco revenues. The Orange County Children and Families Commission,

which doles out the money, has allotted Newport-Mesa $85,000 a year for

the next two years and $1.9 million countywide.

“It’s our responsibility to make sure every child is ready [to enter

school],” said Jane Garland, the district’s school-readiness program

facilitator.

The meeting between the district and child-care workers bridged a

chasm rarely crossed. Garland hopes that the coalition will keep these

groups together so no students fall through the cracks.

The program began earlier with Garland and district officials getting

together with kindergarten teachers to find out how prepared students are

as they come into the school system.

“Every child we have here can be ready for school,” Garland said.

To each teacher she gave a survey asking a variety of questions geared

to find out what students are lacking when they enter kindergarten.

Wednesday she held a reception at which she proposed her plan for

collaboration to the the child-care providers in Newport-Mesa.

Although many of the 45 businesses invited did not attend, there were

people from both the costliest programs in Newport Beach and state-run

preschools and Head Start programs in Costa Mesa, which can serve those

living at or below the poverty level.

“We’re interested in finding out who falls in the middle,” Garland

said.

Despite the low turnout, those in attendance Wednesday morning were

receptive to the plan.

“I think it’s a fantastic idea,” said Gary Meyer, director of the

preschool at Christ Lutheran Church in Costa Mesa. “It is sure a thought

provoking one. It will be very useful to know what everyone else is

doing.”

Meyer said that while Christ Lutheran can be costly, the school tries

to find programs to bring in children whose parents may not be able to

otherwise afford it.

Following the meeting, the next step is to bring the early childhood

educators and the kindergarten teachers together to mentor each other,

Garland added.

Garland also hopes to initiate quarterly meeting at which ideas can be

shared.