Early childhood education has always been crucial to student success, but its importance has come to the forefront in recent years. Ohio’s Third Grade Reading Guarantee, mandated by law, turned the spotlight even brighter on early learning. Schools are required to identify students from kindergarten through grade 3 who are behind in reading and provide help to make sure students are on track by the end of third grade.
The Huber Heights Early Readiness Coalition is working to raise awareness of readiness and to elevate the quality of preschool education across the city. Partners like the Huber Heights Public Library and the Montgomery County Child Development Center are joining together to reach out to the community and give families resources to help children be more school ready.
Huber Heights City Schools operates a growing preschool at Studebaker Community Center to promote readiness. The program integrates students with special needs into a typical preschool classroom with added supports. In January of 2015 the program expanded, adding a seventh unit in order to provide more students the tools they need to be school ready. The program now serves almost 200 students.
The Huber Heights Readiness Coalition is planning a “Preschool Extravaganza” April 23 at Wayne High School from 6 to 8 pm. Parents can bring their preschoolers from birth to age 5 to play games and enjoy learning activities that are fun and exciting. Families will come away with supplies and ideas to use at home and could win one of several door prizes for attending.
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