The last First 10 Network Meeting of the 2024-2025 school was held in May. This session focused on sharing fresh ideas and practical materials to help First 10 Partnerships engage with families and support young children in their communities this summer. During the session, participants learned about the exciting initiatives being implemented by a First 10 team in Loudoun County, Virginia. Participants also had collaborative discussion time to share ideas and plan for summer activities to engage families and support children’s transition into kindergarten.
Schools as Trusted Spaces
Dr. Gregory Mihalik, principal of Sugarland Elementary in Virginia, emphasized planning summer activities that foster trust and relationship-building. As Dr. Mihalik explained, information from the school district or local organizations can be overwhelming for families. His school addresses this issue by curating local opportunities that are closest to school and most helpful to students and their families. The aim of this approach is to establish the school as a trusted space for the community and for school staff to be seen as trusted messengers. For example, Sugarland teachers begin to build relationships with incoming kindergarteners and their families through summer home visits. The school also hosts summer events that support community connections such as school readiness classes, a weeklong summer camp, and a reading rally at a local community center. These events allow families to develop relationships with both school personnel and local community organizations while supporting children in the transition to kindergarten. The school district offers translated materials and interpreters at events to help foster trust with all families regardless of their native language.
Summer activities at Sugarland Elementary provide opportunities for families to support their children’s learning. For example, families receive a backpack with materials they can use at home to practice skills they will need when they start school in the fall. The backpacks include a workbook for students, a family engagement guide (available in English or Spanish), and small readers selected by teachers. There is also an incentive for completing activities when students return to school in the fall.
Building Community Connections and Supporting Readiness
During the collaborative discussion and planning time, First 10 communities shared their ideas on summer programming that supports the transition to kindergarten and building family partnerships. Check out some of the great ideas that are planned for the summer across the First 10 network.
- Play and learn sessions: hosting outdoor play and learn sessions creates opportunities for children and families to get outside for nature-based activities that support learning and development. Play and learn sessions focused on school readiness can help teach incoming pre-k and kindergarten students some of the skills they will need at the start of the school year.
- Activity bags: sending home activity bags that include learning materials can help families prepare their children to be ready for pre-K and kindergarten in fun ways at home.
- Resource fairs and open houses: bringing together community organizations and resources together in school or district-wide events can help make families aware of supports that are available to them and their children.
- Reading calendars: many local libraries and community organizations offer literacy or activity calendars that schools can share with families to support ongoing learning and family partnerships throughout the summer. Check out Reading is Fundamental’s interactive literacy calendars.
Whether providing opportunities for families and children to play and learn or offering helpful resources, First 10 communities know that summer matters when it comes to helping children and families feel ready for the school year ahead.