February 27, 2014 
 

  Ready to Learn Providence


 

Bringing families into the educational process

 

Sen. Jack Reed

"This initiative makes sure parents aren't just comfortable in their child's school, but are truly part of the educational process," Sen. Jack Reed told those who filled the Young-Woods Elementary School cafeteria Feb. 18 at the announcement of a $3 million grant and the launch of Empowering Families.

 

Ready to Learn Providence and the Providence Public School Department will use this grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Investing in Innovation Fund to bring  Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills to nearly 3,000 parents, educators and other school personnel over the next four years. We'll offer this eight-session course in English and Spanish at all 21 Providence elementary schools.

 

L-r: Mayor Angel Taveras, Anne Weisberg (FWI), Carrie B. Felix (PPSD) and PPSD Supt. Susan Lusi. 

"We know that schools only engage students for 32 hours a week," said PPSD Supt. Dr. Susan Lusi. "That leaves 7,500 hours a year that children are not in school. We need to work with the whole child and the whole family."

 

Gov. Lincoln Chafee, left, and R2LP AmeriCorps member Moses Oje, who spoke at the event.

Unlike many family engagement initiatives, Empowering Families will create opportunities for families and school professionals to learn together. The goal, says R2LP Director Leslie Gell, is to give all the adults in a child's life an understanding of the skills he or she needs to succeed in school and in life. These are the skills that manage our emotions, intellect and behavior, such as focus, self-directed learning and communicating.  

 

"I like the expression Mayor [Angel] Taveras uses - 'cradle to career,'" said Anne Weisberg, senior vice president of strategy at the Families and Work Institute, the organization that developed Mind in the Making after years of research. "That's how we look at the skills in Mind in the Making. And you're never too old to learn them or need them."

 

R2LP's Tania Quezada and Dr. Peter Simon. Click here for more photos.

"I wish that when my children were young I knew what I know now," said R2LP AmeriCorps Moses Oje, who recently completed the MITM course. "I urge every parent to take it." Two of Moses's three children still attend PPSD schools. 

 

In awarding this grant, the U.S. Department of Education requires substantial matching funds. Thanks to the support of United Way of R.I. The Rhode Island Foundation, The Annie E. Casey Foundation and The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, that effort is under way.

 

The event, attended by dignitaries, educators, partners and families, triggered a story about the program in the Providence Journal the following day.

 

In This Issue
Want a degree in ECE?
What is Exceed?
Have you thought about joining AmeriCorps?
 
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Want a degree in early childhood education?

We're holding information sessions about T.E.A.C.H. scholarships on March 3 (bachelor's program) and
March 12 (associate's degree or coursework).

 




What is Exceed?

Exceed is the new name for Rhode Island's cross-departmental initiative to implement the work of the Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge Grant.  

 

The name conveys the commitment of all of those in our state's early learning community who are working to help ensure that all of our young children have the opportunity to soar.

 

Sign up for Exceed enews. 



Ever thought about joining our AmeriCorps team?

On March 1 and 5 we'll be holding information sessions (in English and Spanish) for prospective candidates.
For more details, download this pdf in English or this one in Spanish.

Applications for the 2014/2015 year will be available on our website on March 1.

Meet some of our current members
 
Veronica Mora


T.E.A.C.H RI is a great opportunity if you're an early-care provider or administrator needing coursework in early childhood education or seeking a degree. 
Click here for additional details.