Dear Holland/Zeeland Community Member:
Each fall approximately 2,000 children experience their first day of kindergarten in classrooms throughout the Holland/Zeeland area. In September 2009, over 1668 children were screened in nine Holland/Zeeland area school districts and over half, 57%, were not ready for kindergarten.
Ready for School is a broad based initiative representing all sectors in the community to ensure that every child from birth enters kindergarten prepared to succeed. The immediate goal of Ready for School is to increase entering kindergartners' readiness to 75% for 2013.
Children born today are the workforce of 2030. These infants and toddlers are the joy of our lives, but also the future leaders of our community and the talented workforce that will fuel our local economy in 20 years. Ready for School is committed to their success.
Ready for School is founded on a unique,highly relational approach to addressing the challenges and opportunities of early education and programming. We are committed to aligning and expanding existing resources and creating a community culture embraced by all which values and invests in the success of every child.
In one year, hundreds of community leaders and partners have actively engaged in designing, supporting and overseeing the Ready for School initiative. The Community Foundation of Holland/Zeeland Area was the catalyst to this effort, but it is now clearly "owned" by all those who are participating. There is consensus that the model must be data driven,engage all sectors of the community, utilize sound business principles, and have measurable community impact.
We have a significant problem, we have significant community engagement, and we have significant hope. Our community's future success will be directly tied to the success of Ready for School.
Sincerely,
Bruce Los
Ready for School Chair, Readiness Council
Pat VerDuin
Ready for School Coordinator