Mayor Ras J. Baraka and Newark Chief Education Officer Dr. Sharnee Brown kicked off the Three Cheers for Pre-K pilot partnership this morning at the William Mobile Ashby Community Center. The program is a forward-thinking collaboration with Savvas Learning Company and Programs for Parents to provide innovative curriculum that spurs early reading for 3- and 4-year-old Pre-K students. The morning’s welcome celebration was followed by an afternoon of teacher training that will continue throughout the day tomorrow.
“If we are going to prepare our babies for a life of reading, we have to first prepare the teachers with the skills and materials to instill a love of reading,” said Mayor Baraka. “Today’s training kickoff was an essential step in ensuring that early childhood teachers have access to Savvas Learning Company’s quality curricular materials and are able to implement the programs with confidence.”
Six early childhood centers are participating in Newark’s pilot program which offers free Three Cheers for Pre-K curriculum and year-long, job-embedded training to prepare young children for kindergarten. Teachers will provide skills-based experiences and purposeful play to initiate learning linked to quality children’s literature. The Three Cheers for Pre-K program includes fun and effective multisensory activities and interactive digital content.
While some early childhood programs have access to additional resources through school district contracts, Grow NJ Kids participation, or other funding opportunities, many programs serving Newark's youngest learners operate with far fewer supports. Newark’s Chief Education Officer Dr. Sharnee Brown said, “We believe that every child deserves access to high-quality early learning experiences regardless of where they are enrolled – and we’re committed to being intentional about reducing disparities in access to resources, professional learning, and instructional tools across the early childhood landscape.”
Savvas Learning Company is a next-generation learning company that combines new ideas, new ways of thinking, and new ways of interacting to create innovative learning solutions. They are a trusted partner in educating today’s students for tomorrow’s world.
Programs for Parents aims to ensure children and families have the best possible start in life by supporting children, families, and childcare providers in Essex County with advocacy and action. It provides education and referrals, sharing best practices in early care and education, and helping families access available financial resources.
“Every child deserves access to a high-quality early learning experience, regardless of where they receive care,” said Programs for Parents Chief Executive Officer Nayibe Capellan. “Too often, the programs with the fewest resources are serving the families who need the most support. This partnership helps level the playing field by giving providers access to a proven curriculum, training, and ongoing coaching so they can strengthen instruction and better prepare children for kindergarten. This pilot demonstrates what is possible when government, education, and community organizations work together around a shared goal.”
The city’s partnership with Savvas and Programs for Parents is its latest investment in Mayor Baraka’s Newark Citywide Prenatal to 3rd Grade 10-Point Literacy Plan. Initiated three years ago to address post-COVID third grade literacy scores, the plan promotes research-based strategies that schools, parents and community partners can use to increase literacy success. Three Cheers for Pre-K aligns with the plan’s fourth point which encourages parents to enroll their children in free Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4 programs and ensure attendance every day.
Three Cheers for Pre-K Pilot partners expect this collaboration to:
- Introduce curricula and other reading preparedness resources aligned with New Jersey education standards, such as libraries
- Provide intensive professional development support throughout the year and increase access to other resources.
- Instill students’ readiness for kindergarten
- Conduct a longitudinal study and analysis of the impact and outcomes of students exposed to the Three Cheers for Pre-K curriculum.
About the Newark Citywide Prenatal to Third Grade 10-Point Literacy Plan
In July 2023, Mayor Baraka, Dr. Brown, Newark Board of Education Assistant Superintendent, Teaching and Learning Dr. Mary Ann Reilly and other dignitaries launched a 10-point plan to address child literacy through third grade. Schools, parents, and community organizations can undertake these steps throughout each year to improve literacy and life outcomes for Newark students.
This event is one more tool for implementing Point 4: Enroll children in free pre-kindergarten 3 and pre-kindergarten 4 programs and ensure everyday attendance actionable steps.
For photos,
click here.
For video,
click here.
