About the Program:

The Central New York Community Foundation recognizes that the transition to kindergarten is a critical episode in a child’s development and key to his/her competency in literacy and learning. Evidence shows that, in partnership with families and Early Childhood Programs (ECPs), [*] schools have the power to smooth the transition to kindergarten using time-tested practices.

As part of our literacy initiative, read ahead, we are offering grants of up to $5,000 to support new and innovative initiatives by school districts that seek to strengthen and enhance the transition-to-kindergarten experience for children in Madison and Onondaga counties. We strongly encourage initiatives that are collaborative in nature, enhance existing programs and draw upon the resources and skills of the district and its schools.

Who can apply?

· Public and private/parochial school districts in Onondaga and Madison counties

· Present recipients of kindergarten transition grants under read ahead are ineligible to apply

What kinds of projects qualify?

· New and innovative initiatives that strengthen the transition to kindergarten for incoming students for the 2007-2008 school year

· Projects which demonstrate a strategic direction by the district, either implemented district-wide or piloted at selected schools

Qualities in Grant Guidelines:

Ideally projects would:

· Be a collaborative effort involving key stakeholders such as parents, Early Childhood Programs (ECPs), community groups or others

· Strengthen relationships in one or more of the following pairs:

- School to Family

- School to Child

- Peer to Peer (children who will be entering kindergarten together)

- School to Early Childhood Programs

· Increase continuity from the pre-K experience to the kindergarten experience (such as aligning/sharing curriculum, expectations or rituals between kindergartens and ECPs)

· Make use of the capacities, resources and skills of the school/district and other collaborators

· Enhance existing Pre-K-to-kindergarten transition programs

· Be tailored to the unique needs of the families and children being served

What are some sample projects?

· Kindergarten camps held during the summer before school starts to introduce children to their peers, to the teacher, and the school

· An initiative to create a district-wide ECPs-to-school transition policy

· Kindergarten teacher panels for parents/caregivers of incoming kindergartners to help them get their children ready

· A song, game or book that is introduced in ECPs (or at home) and then carried over into the kindergarten curriculum

· A series of breakfasts that bring together ECPs and kindergarten teachers to share curriculum, expectations, and/or rituals

· And other activities that are encouraged by Robert Pianta (refer to Successful Kindergarten Transition, Your Guide to Connecting Children, Families and Schools by Pianta and Marcia Kraft-Sayre)

What kinds of projects do not qualify?

· Support for operating expenses (including fundraisers) or existing programs

· Initiatives that duplicate existing efforts

· Loans or assistance to individuals

· Projects with sectarian purposes

· Academic research

· Retroactive funding for any project expenses that have been incurred before the Foundation’s decision date

When are the applications due? Applications must be received or postmarked by the deadline date of November 30, 2006. Our office closes promptly at 4:30 pm.

Where should applications be sent?

Please mail one (1) copy of your completed and signed application form and one (1) copy of your IRS determination letter, if applicable, to:

Kindergarten Transition Grants

Central New York Community Foundation, Inc.

Suite 428, 500 South Salina Street

Syracuse, NY 13202

Awards

You will be notified of a decision via mail by Monday, January 1, 2007.

For more information

Any questions regarding these guidelines or application should be directed to Trudy-Ann Forbes () or Kim Scott () at the Central New York Community Foundation, 315-422-9538.

Central New York Community Foundation

October 2006 Page 2 of 2

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