On November 6, 2019, local preschool, transitional kindergarten (TK), and kindergarten teachers attended a networking event organized by Big Lift Program Supervisor Yaelan Wong, where they got to know one another by sharing stories about their teaching experiences.
“Engaging with preschool and early elementary school teachers in this way helps build collaboration across grade levels,” said Wong.
Among the attendees were early educators from South San Francisco Unified School District’s (SSFUSD) preschools and TK and kindergarten programs as well as the Leo J. Ryan Child Development Center and the South San Francisco (SSF) Head Start program located at the Baden Adult School.
“The focus on sharing our stories touched a chord on the importance of being true to developmentally appropriate practices while inviting new learning,” said Leo J. Ryan Site Manager Paivi Lane.
Located at SSFUSD’s Sunshine Gardens Elementary, the Leo J. Ryan Child Development Center and the SSF Head Start program funnels preschool students into SSFUSD elementary schools.
“This is an example of the type of collaboration we’d like to see more of in San Mateo County,” said Wong. “Leo J. Ryan facilitates children’s transition to elementary school and also provides after school care for many students from Sunshine Gardens. This type of alignment has the potential to transform early learning for preschool to third grade students and their families.”
The Big Lift is an initiative of the County of San Mateo, the San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE), and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF).
Funded by Measure K tax dollars, the program seeks to provide quality preschool and educational programming for children up to third grade in San Mateo County with a goal of increasing reading proficiency from 50% to 80% by the end of third grade.