It's a startling statistic. While 90 percent of a child's brain development occurs before kindergarten, only 36 percent of Mesa's children enter kindergarten with foundational literacy skills.
When a problem arises, the Mesa community mobilizes to help. Mesa K-Ready is a collaboration between the City of Mesa, Mesa Public Schools, Mesa United Way and Mesa Chamber of Commerce designed to help families and children prepare for kindergarten.
"Early childhood education is a critical need to support learning for our young students," Mesa Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Ember Conley said. "Mesa K-Ready supports the vision to provide free, high quality preschool for all children in Mesa and is an outstanding parent engagement strategy."
"Mesa United Way fights for the education of all of Mesa's students and are proud to be partners in the Mesa K-Ready program," Mesa United Way President and CEO Mark Young said. "Many families cannot afford more traditional forms of early childhood education. Mesa K-Ready fills the gaps, connects people to services, provides parent training, and offers enrichment activities for the whole family."
The program has two levels. The first includes free access to Miss Humblebee's Academy for all Mesa Library cardholders, early childhood education resources at www.mesakready.org and enrichment activities at Mesa's museums, parks and libraries.
The second level is the VIPP (Very Important Preschooler and Parent) program. Families receive a loaned tablet loaded with Miss Humblebee's Academy preschool software and internet access; weekly mentoring sessions; enrichment activities at Mesa's museums, parks and libraries; Parent University classes; early childhood education resources at www.mesakready.org; and access to family resources such as food boxes.
To be eligible for the VIPP program, families must live in their current Mesa residence for at least four months, plan on their children attending Mesa Public Schools and be low to moderate income. Children must turn 4-years-old by December 31, 2018.
Spaces are limited in both levels of Mesa K-Ready so sign up today at www.mesakready.org.
Mesa K-Ready is made possible by the following generous supporters: Whiteman Foundation, Mesa Public Schools Foundation and City of Mesa.
Contacts:
Helen Hollands, Mesa Public Schools, 480-472-0498, hdhollands@mpsaz.org
Steve Wright, City of Mesa, 480-644-2069, steven.wright@mesaaz.gov
Mark Young, Mesa United Way, 480-969-860, mark.young@mesaunitedway.org
Bob Nelson, Mesa Chamber of Commerce, 480-969-1307 ext. 25, bnelson@mesachamber.org