Success by 6 program prepares kids for kindergarten

NORTH JACKSON — Five-year-olds Cloie Musser, Conor Henderson and Conner Baytos stretch their arms in front of them and clap their hands together, mimicking an alligator’s jaws.

“Allie Alligator,” Cloie said.

That’s the letter A, the children explained.

“What does an A sound like?” asked teacher Corinne Tomaino.

“A-a-a,” Cloie and Conor replied.

The children raise their hands above their heads and then to their mouths, saying, “Bubba Bear.”

The hand gesture imitates a bear eating honey.

“What does a B sound like?” Tomaino asked.

“B-b-b,” they replied.

The three children are students in Success by 6 at Jackson-Milton Elementary School. The United Way program targets children who are going into kindergarten to ensure they enter school prepared to be successful.

Teachers instruct in letters, numbers, shapes and colors.

Principal Joe DiLoreto said the program also allows children to learn about lining up and finding important rooms within the school.

For the complete story, see Friday's Vindicator and Vindy.com