Marietta City Schools and Early Learning
Marietta City Schools Superintendent Grant Rivera and Emily Lembeck Center’s Language + Literacy Liaison Sally Miller were the featured speakers at this month’s Corporate Community Champion Roundtable Forum held at Brasfield Gorrie HQ. Members came together to hear the latest insights and strategies aimed at enhancing early learning and, in particular, the learning that occurs in local childcare centers. Improving the accessibility, affordability and educational value of childcare was selected in 2023 by Roundtable members for further study into ways that combined resources and social capital could make an exceptional impact.
During his address, Rivera shared about the transformative “Science of Reading” program. MCS partnered with the United Way, Atlanta Speech School, Learn4Life, Cobb Collaborative, Wellstar, early learning providers, and numerous other organizations throughout Marietta to provide a birth through age eight continuum committed to developing the reading brain. In doing so, Marietta City Schools (MCS) has established itself as a pioneer in literacy innovation, implementing evidence-based teaching methods that are revolutionizing the way children learn to read. By incorporating a comprehensive approach from phonics to morphology, MCS is dedicated to equipping every student with the necessary tools to achieve reading proficiency by the crucial third-grade milestone. Research indicates that reaching this milestone significantly impacts a student’s academic trajectory, laying a strong foundation for future success in education and beyond.
As a result, MCS has experienced a significant surge in third-grade reading scores, surpassing state and metro Atlanta progress by an impressive fivefold margin. This remarkable achievement can be attributed to a combination of factors including smaller class sizes, the presence of dedicated reading specialists, and a steadfast commitment to comprehending the nuances of how children learn reading skills. This success underscores their dedication to academic excellence and student development.
A New Partnership for Early Learning
MCS is partnering with Los Niños Primero, a local nonprofit that works to prepare Latino preschoolers for the rigors of the classroom, setting them up for academic success. They also empower parents to skillfully assist their children throughout the educational journey. (Learn more at https://losninosprimerousa.org/)
Los Niños Primero wanted to expand into Cobb County, and were interested in the best ways to serve the community. So, together, Marietta City Schools and Los Niños Primero planned to pilot a free 3-week summer program at the Emily Lembeck Early Learning Center. The program will target about 30 rising Pre-Kindergarten and rising Kindergarten students in Marietta who have received no formal early learning and who are English Language Learners. This summer program will serve as a bridge for these students, helping them to get a head start and acclimate to a classroom environment before the first day of school.
To increase access to students who need a program like this, but for whom transportation might be a barrier, we are hoping to run MCS buses to and from the Early Learning Center. Los Niños Primero has been seeking funding to complete the planning for the program.
Miller’s presentation shed light on the district’s commitment to early literacy, particularly emphasizing the nurturing of pre-K scholars’ reading skills not only at Emily Lembeck Early Learning Center, but also at Marietta childcare centers. The groundbreaking program’s notable success in Marietta has led to its expansion statewide, marking a significant milestone in advancing early education initiatives.
Kennesaw State University and Jumpstart
Following these engaging discussions, Dean Adrian Epps of the Kennesaw State University Learning & Jumpstart Program shared a little about the innovative programs being offered at KSU’s School of Education. Their continuing efforts to maximize the opportunities for their students is gaining national attention, including their partnership with the national organization, Jumpstart. Jumpstart engages college students to work in local daycare centers, providing training to the college student that translates into an increase the kindergarten readiness of the children they serve.
Check Presentations
To support a summer version of Jumpstart, Cobb Community Foundation CEO Shari Martin presented Dean Epps with a grant check for $22,500 for the Bagwell School of Education. This grant will fund 5 KSU students working in local childcare centers for 30 hours per week for 10 weeks in May, June and July. Sally Miller will be providing the same training to the KSU students working in the local daycare centers as she provides throughout the City of Marietta.
A second grant check for $5,000 was presented to Marietta City Schools. Marietta City Schools and Los Niños Primero are piloting a free 3-week summer program at the Emily Lembeck Early Learning Center that will target about 30 rising Pre-Kindergarten and rising Kindergarten students in Marietta who have received no formal early learning and who are English Language Learners. This summer program will serve as a bridge for these students, helping them to get a head start and acclimate to a classroom environment before the first day of school. This grant will fund transportation for these children, eliminating what would like be a barrier that could prevent their participation. Both of these grants were made possible by the Corporate Community Champion program.
Here’s a key takeaway: “A.L. Burruss and other schools in the Marietta system are inspiration for state officials. Last year, the Georgia General Assembly passed a sweeping piece of legislation to make all public schools teach reading the way they do in Marietta…. All of this energy is meant to get the rest of Georgia students on the same track as the kids at a A.L. Burruss in Marietta.”
We appreciate the participation of the Corporate Community Champions and we look forward to our next gathering later this year.
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Purpose of the Roundtable: to mobilize corporate leaders who are invested in and around Cobb County and the immediately surrounding area to create opportunities to collaborate, leveraging their human, social and financial capital to help our community thrive
Want to be a part of the change and stay ahead in shaping a brighter future for our children? Join a growing list of Corporate Community Champions. Learn more here.
