North Kingstown School Department Family Learning Partnership Child Opportunity Zone (COZ) April 12, 2011

COZ Background Conceived in 1994 in response to needs assessment in Davisville Elementary area One of 10 COZ sites in our statewide network; one of only two in Washington County Added “Family Learning Partnership” to our name in 2006 to reflect broader scope of programs and services Originally 1 part-time staff person, now 16 full/part-time employees across 7 specific programs Service provision to specific Davisville neighborhood areas as well as across town Focus of work is supporting at-risk students/families

Our programming ensures that: All children will enter school ready to learn and succeed; Families have the tools and support to confidently raise healthy, empowered children; and The greater community is invested in supporting and sustaining strong families through education and involvement.

COZ Programs FAMILY CENTERS 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS Located at Quidnessett Elementary School and Davisville Middle School The family’s place in the school … the hub of activity for parent engagement, before & after school programming, and information and resources for families, students, and staff.

COZ Programs, cont’d. N.K. KIN-NECT PARENTS AS TEACHERS The goals of the North Kingstown KIN-NECT Preschool Program are to ensure that eligible four-year-old children are entering Kindergarten following a solid, quality preschool experience and to promote parent engagement to foster school and social success. PARENTS AS TEACHERS Parents as Teachers (PAT) is an international early childhood parent education and family support program serving families throughout pregnancy until their child enters kindergarten, usually at age 5. The program is designed to enhance child development and school achievement through parent education accessible to all families.

COZ Programs, cont’d. CHILD OUTREACH PARENTING DEVELOPMENT The district’s pre-school screening program. All children ages 3-5 are eligible for free screenings delivered by trained volunteers and staff members. Child Outreach screeners routinely visit area pre-schools to perform screenings. PARENTING DEVELOPMENT Workshops & trainings designed to support parents’ role as their children’s first and most influential teachers; they are also designed to encourage and enable parents to assume leadership positions and responsibilities.

COZ Programs, cont’d. DOOR TO THE DISTRICT Parents are  invited to a Preschool Team Meeting based upon a referral made on behalf of their child. Families may become overwhelmed at the possibility of their child being eligible for services, so our Pre-school Liaison meets them at the door, welcomes them and provides any resources that would be helpful as they go through this process.  

“Snapshot” view of a typical week in COZ Family Learning Partnership April 4-8, 2011 8 Child Outreach Screenings 197 students participated in Extended Learning Opportunities at QES; 107 at DMS 17 four-year-olds enrolled in NK KIN-NECT 5 Parent involvement opportunities 2 PAT Playgroups; 12 home visits Door to the District – 5 pre-school meetings Title I Monitoring Visit

COZ Family Learning Partnership Contact information: Family Center @ Quidnessett 541-6373 Family Center @ Davisville Middle 541-6354 Parents as Teachers : Maria Knight maria_knight@nksd.net 541-6349 Child Outreach: Mary Nelson mary_nelson@nksd.net 541-6350 NK KIN-NECT: Holly Ayotte holly_ayotte@nksd.net 541-6352 Parent Involvement/Early Childhood Programs: Brenda Potter brenda_potter@nksd.net 541-6351 Title I: Donna Thompson donna_thompson@nksd.net 541-6353 or Barbara Sweeney barbara_sweeney@nksd.net 541-6351 Homeless Liaison: Donna Thompson 541-6353 or Jackie Trainor jackie_trainor@nksd.net 541-6373