Even Start
This year ACLAMO held its 10th year of our Even Start program. The program team registered 20 English language learner (ELL) 3 and 4-year olds, and 20 ELL parents.
Our skilled bilingual case manager helped families overcome barriers to participation in the program, including economic insecurity, health issues, mental health needs, domestic abuse, and more. All children and parents were required to complete a health screening before the time of enrollment. This gave the team an opportunity to help families access health services with ACLAMO’s health clinic partners (Mercy Suburban Family Practice Center, and Norristown Regional Health Center). As in previous years, all children received dental exams and fluoride sealants on-site at ACLAMO from our school district’s dental hygienist, while mothers learned about pediatric oral health, and their role in prevention of poor oral hygiene.
The overall goal of our program is to prepare English language learner preschoolers and their parents to enter and succeed in Norristown Area School District’s standard’s based, full-day kindergarten program. Our mission is to give 20 children an enriching early childhood educational experience so they can learn English and achieve measurable gains in academic, intellectual, social and self-help skills. At the same time, we help their adult parents with English and parenting skills, giving them the support they need to help themselves, their children and their families.
During the school year from September 2009 to June 2010, our educational team provided classes 4 mornings a week for 4 hours each day. Additionally, each family received a monthly hour-long home visit following individualized lesson plans created by the team. By spring 2010, all families with children entering kindergarten had completed registration, and visited their prospective new schools to see the class and meet the teacher.
We are pleased to report that all participating mothers moved up at least one level in English as a second language instruction. Also the program team was surprised and delighted that each of our students also advanced at least one level in ESL. It actually turned out to be one of the best years for learning gains we have had since initiating the program 10 years ago!
We are beginning this semester with great hopes for our academic year.
