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Poland's Success by 6 program prepares kids to succeed
By Bruce Walton
POLAND
A program new to the school district aims to prepare 14 children for kindergarten at Poland North Elementary.
Success By 6 provides a structured program for children on what they will experience in kindergarten through activities that help them develop social and mental/emotional skills.
The program uses activities focusing on reading, basic math and physical education with a staff of one teacher and classroom aide.
Beyond education and development, Michael Masucci, the program’s administrator and Union Elementary principal, said, “Success By 6 is offering a very enjoyable, yet very structured environment to basically get their feet wet.”
He believes any child with a set routine will be more successful when starting school for the first time. From July 18 to Aug. 11, students attend the program for four hours a day, four days a week, similar to kindergarten.
Masucci said the program’s greatest strength is teaching critical-thinking skills about the rules set for them in school.
Success By 6 is a United Way of Youngstown and Mahoning Valley program, and that agency covers the costs. The program was introduced to the Mahoning Valley in 2009 and serves 20 school district sites and 700 children.
The teaching staff will record and analyze the students’ developmental and educational progress through one-on-one assessments at the beginning and the end of the program.
Once processed, the data will be shared with the district teachers who can use it to plan how to approach the children from the program in the future.
Masucci already sees some results and points to bolstered confidence among the students as they become comfortable in their environment.
Kathy Mock, director of education and initiative for United Way, said the program’s timing is key with school starting in late August.
“We’re getting the children ready to go into the school year, so the proximity and the time of the program is advantageous,” she said.
Toward the end of the program, children will receive a backpack and supplies provided by Poland United Methodist Church. Masucci also is planning something special for the end of the program to celebrate the children’s achievement.