Date: 08/31/2015

Final
Welcome and introduction

EARLY CHILDHOOD AND SCHOOL READINESS

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
<none><none>





01:04 PM -- Welcome and introduction

Senator Martinez Humenik, chair, called the meeting to order. She invited Cheryl Caldwell, Director of Early Education for Denver Public Schools (DPS), to come to the table to speak about what DPS is doing to transition students from preschool to kindergarten. Ms. Caldwell told the committee about a DPS pilot program focusing on the transition, and about possible funding for a similar pilot program in a variety of different school districts. Ms. Caldwell explained that research shows that a successful transition from preschool to kindergarten provides for success later in life. She provided further details about the pilot program, which pairs preschool teachers with kindergarten teachers in order to share information about students' daily rituals and routines so that kindergarten teachers can mirror the preschool activities to help kids feel more comfortable in a new situation. She also talked about the importance of helping to align district kindergarten curriculum with community preschool programs.


01:09 PM

Senator Martinez Humenik explained that the group would split into five different breakout groups for one hour, and then come back together to talk about what each group discussed. Copies of a document outlining the breakout group topics were distributed (Attachment A). Senator Martinez Humenik recessed the committee in order for the breakout groups to meet.

15EarlyChild0831AttachA.pdf15EarlyChild0831AttachA.pdf