Knox Elementary School will once again be able to offer two Kindergarten Countdown camps, thanks to a $15,000 grant from the Hardesty Memorial Endowment Fund. That will allow the program to serve 40 incoming kindergartners, according to Director of Curriculum and Instruction Peggy Shidaker.
She told the Knox School Board last week that Kindergarten Countdown was originally designed to help students with no preschool experience adjust to kindergarten. But with the help of the Starke County Community Foundation, Knox Elementary School has been able to expand the program to kids who went to preschool but still need some extra help.
Shidaker said Kindergarten Countdown will take place June 4 through 21 from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. Free breakfast and lunch will be offered as part of the Summer Food Service Program. The Hardesty Fund grant will cover the cost of bus transportation, as well as books for the students.
Shidaker added that Kindergarten Countdown has been very successful and well-liked by parents. At the same time, she said there hasn’t been an apparent decrease in the number of students without preschool experience. Of the 96 students who attended this year’s kindergarten roundup, 23 hadn’t been to preschool.
Superintendent Dr. William Reichhart said there’s a shortage of quality childcare in Starke County. Not only does that impact children directly, but it also affects the school corporation’s chances at state funding for preschool programs.
