Jackson to make most out of boost in Title I funding

JACKSON, Mo. -- An increase in Title I funding in the Jackson School District will mean a head start in reading and language skills for some area children.

An additional $50,000 in funding has allowed the district to establish its first preschool program, which will serve up to 30 children ages three to five during the coming school year.

The program is designed for preschoolers with minor learning delays and focuses on pre-literacy, speech and language concepts, said Lindsey Minson, administrative assistant at South Elementary, where the preschool will be held.

"If we can get to children early, they'll have fewer problems and be more successful in school all the way through," said Minson, who helps coordinate the program.

The Title I program was established by Congress to provide financial assistance to schools with a high percentage of students receiving free and reduced lunches. Jackson is not a fully designated Title I school, but with 20 to 30 percent of students on the free and reduced lunch plan in individual buildings, the district qualifies for partial funding.

According to Beth Emmendorfer, special services director, the district received the additional funding because the federal government allotted more money to the Title I program this year. That money will be used to employ a full-time teacher, an instructional assistant and to purchase supplies for the preschool.

Shani Ladd will serve as the preschool teacher. This is Ladd's first year with the Jackson school district, but she has seven years of teaching experience, four of which is in early childhood special education.

"This age group is my favorite because they're so impressionable," said Ladd. "They're so excited about learning. They pick up on things while they're playing and don't even realize they're actually learning."

Ladd said that a big part of her job will be relating with students and their parents.

"Parents are a child's first and most important teachers," said Ladd. "We encourage parents to get involved with the preschool."

According to Minson, the activities and learning techniques used at the preschool will be helpful to parents as they work with their children at home.

"The preschool program will be a resource for parents. It will give them some strategies to address concerns they have for their children," said Minson.

Eligibility for the preschool isn't based on income, but on a multi-criteria screening process used to determine potential problems areas, said Emmendorfer.

"We're trying to take the at-risk factor away so that we have successful students," Emmendorfer said.

Title I guidelines break the preschool program down into two daily sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, with a maximum of 15 students per session.

The program runs four days a week, Monday through Thursday. Fridays will be reserved for class planning and home visits with students and their parents.

Minson said enrollment is ongoing, and another screening assessment will take place in September. For more information, contact Emmendorfer at 243-9501 or Minson at 243-9575.

cchitwood@semissourian.com

335-6611, ext. 128