Preschool

Cynthia York
Director of Special Programs

Barren Beginnings 2020

Please access the informative PowerPoint at the following link regarding Barren Beginnings:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ZG_GA8c6RslMPjVeyxXgGxQEeMZdqMEE5-JzrtdStXg/edit?usp=sharing

What are we all about at Barren County Schools? Take a look!

BCS kindergarten readiness higher than state average

BY WILL PERKINS wperkins@glasgowdailytimes.com

BCS kindergarten readiness camp — Debbie Dickerson, a preschool teacher for Barren County Schools, center, instructs rising kindergartners during the Kindergarten Readiness Camp last summer at North Jackson Elementary.

GLASGOW – The Kentucky Department of Education's Kindergarten Readiness 2016-17 State Results found that only half of Kentucky students who entered kindergarten were ready.

According to that same data, Barren County Schools had 60.8 percent of kindergartners considered ready when they entered the 2016-17 school year.

A BCS press release states that this percentage includes students who attended Barren County preschool, Head Start, a private child care provider or stayed home prior to enrolling in kindergarten.

“Of those who did attend a Barren County Schools preschool program, 65.2 percent were determined ready for kindergarten,” the press release states, adding that the BCS Board of Education is “very pleased” with the scores.

Barren County Schools has seen steady growth in its kindergarten readiness scores during the last several years, according to the press release. The school district had 45.9 percent of its kindergartners considered ready in 2014-15 and 57.9 percent in 2015-16.

Cynthia York, BCS director of special programs, stated in the press release that she attributes the continued improvement to the “use of a common curriculum across the district taught by expert teachers in their field.”

“The camps for new (kindergarten) students that are offered in the summer prior to a student entering school have enabled teachers to review with students skills they already know or may need to learn to be successful in kindergarten,” York said. “Partnerships with 21st Century programming and grants received from KDE have allowed these camps to occur and are an obvious benefit to all who attend.”

Rising kindergartners walk in a line to lunch during the Kindergarten Readiness Camp last summer at North Jackson Elementary. Their instructor, Debbie Dickerson, said the students learn how to walk in the hallway with a "Bubble and Tail." She said they know they have to "bubble their mouth" and have "a tail" behind them with their hands. "That keeps their hands to themselves and it keeps them nice and quiet," Dickerson said. "And they enjoy making those gestures to us as they walk down the hall."

Kathy Burris, BCS teacher consultant for special programs, previously told the Glasgow Daily Times that the kindergarten readiness summer camps give the students “a head start for when they come back in August.”

“Teachers typically see quite a bit of growth,” Burris said. “Even though it's just five days, they see quite a bit of growth.”

Last spring, the BCS preschool program received a five-star rating from the Kentucky Department of Education. Kentucky All STARS is the state's expanded five-star quality rating and improvement system for early care and education programs, according to the KDE website.

“Studies show that children who attend high-quality, early-learning environments have better math, language and social skills,” the KDE website states. “The unified system serves all early care and education programs that receive public funding including child care centers, Head Start and public preschool.

“Kentucky All STARS is based on Kentucky's Early Childhood Standards and research-based indicators of quality.

“It recognizes programs that have made a commitment to continuous quality improvement.”

Burris said it is really important that parents realize how crucial brain development is – even before age 3 – in getting their kids ready for kindergarten.

Barren County Schools Recognized as Trendsetter District

Barren County Schools was recognized as a "Trendsetter District" at Kentucky's Mid-Year School Readiness Summit. The Summit is sponsored by the Kentucky Department of Education and the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, and is held to help school districts, early learning providers and community organizations throughout the Commonwealth make vital connections and collaborations necessary for school readiness. The Mid-Year School Readiness Summit was held on March 10, 2017, at the Marriott Griffin Gate in Lexington, KY. Thirty-three districts were represented at the event, including Barren County Schools, who were recognized as a Trendsetter District for their efforts in school readiness in Barren County.

Barren County Preschool Receives Best Ratings – All Classes Earn 5 STARS

Kentucky All STARS is Kentucky’s expanded five-star quality rating and improvement system for early care and education programs. Studies show that children who attend high quality early learning environments have better math, language and social skills. Kentucky All STARS is based on Kentucky’s Early Childhood Standards and research-based indicators of quality. It recognizes programs that have made a commitment to continuous quality improvement. Barren County Schools are committed to providing quality educational experiences to all students, beginning in preschool! Congratulations to Austin Tracy Elementary, Eastern Elementary, Hiseville Elementary, North Jackson Elementary, Park City Elementary, Red Cross Elementary, and Temple Hill Elementary! Well done!!

Click the picutre below for GREAT Info about Kindergarten readiness by the United Way!!

Exciting Things Are Happening in Barren County! Take a Look!!

Check back often for more information!

Open Enrollment for the 2017-18 School Year is Thursday, March 9th from Noon-6pm! We are looking forward to seeing the FACES of the FUTURE at each school! Enroll early!

From...

to...

Attention parents of incoming kindergarten & 1st grade students - a recent change in Kentucky Law has amended KRS 158.030 to say that beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, any child who is five (5) years of age, or who may become five (5) years of age by August 1, may enter a primary school program. This date change will impact students who have birth dates between Aug 2 and Sept 30. If your family is impacted, please review the attached petition for consideration for early enrollment (click here to access the form).

- See more at: http://www.barren.kyschools.us/News/openenrollment#sthash.UrbQTa54.LH1eZyXC.dpuf

Ready, Set, Grow is teaming up with Book Sprouts to offer FUN LEARNING EVENTS for your 3-5 year old! See details below!

Sign your child up for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and they will receive FREE books, delivered right to your door! Click the link below for more information.

http://usa.imaginationlibrary.com/register_my_child.php

Scroll down for pictures of the first-ever Inter-generational Learning Room at NCH Healthcare! Great things are happening at BC PK!

Welcome to the Barren County Preschool Webpage!

Cynthia York, Director of Special Programs

Kathy Burris, Teacher Consultant

The current preschool calendar for all preschool sites in Barren County can be located on the following page - click here.

Governor's Office of Early Childhood - Preschool Information and Monthly Newsletter

CHECK OUT THE INFORMATIVE LINKS!

LITTLE LEARNERS, BIG IDEAS
The Center for Gifted Studies at Western Kentucky University has provided a six-part video series to help educators and parents learn practical, easy-to-implement strategies to support young children in the development of critical thinking skills. Click HERE to view!

The Inter-Generational Learning Room at NHC Healthcare was a big success! This partnership is a Win-Win for the residents of NHC and for our preschool students at North Jackson!