June 24, 2021
In June, 14 students in the incoming kindergarten class at Sebring got a glimpse into kindergarten life through the United Way’s Success By 6 program at B.L. Miller.
The program is designed to prepare children for the expectations, expose them to the routines, and touch on some of the content for kindergarten this fall. Mrs. Betsy Walsh, the students’ kindergarten teacher for the 2021-2022 school year, created the itinerary for the three week program at B.L. Miller. Walsh, along with kindergarten aide Mrs. Nicole Meir, engaged students with exciting activities and lessons every day of the program between 8:00 a.m. and 1:15 p.m..
The students enjoyed a schedule featuring special guests, including teachers from throughout the district, girls’ basketball and volleyball team members, Mr. Krumpak (the students’ new principal), and Kim Lewis from the Green Team. Guests shared stories and engaged students in activities, crafts and songs throughout the program.
“We focus on foundational reading and math skills, and most importantly, social skills,” says Walsh, who has headed the program at Sebring for the past eight years.
Students also used chrome books, learned the calendar routine, sang songs, and practiced writing their names. They ate breakfast and lunch together and made new friends. Students became familiar with the building and school expectations during the program as well.
The United Way generously sponsors the Success By 6 program, which is free and open to all incoming Sebring kindergarten students. The United Way supports the teachers involved with the program with meetings and providing assessments to gauge the growth of participating students.
“We see growth in 100% of the students who attend this program,” says Walsh. “The students who attend Success By 6 are our leaders when school starts in August.”
Parents attended a meeting at the conclusion of the program that provided information about the United Way and Sebring Local Schools’ Care Team. Mrs. Walsh shared with the parents expectations for kindergarten. United Way gave the students a backpack and activity tracker. Mrs. Walsh gave students a certificate of completion and also put together backpacks with books, flashcards, and activities for the students to continue to prepare for kindergarten through the remainder of the summer.
“Success By 6 is such an important program to jump start student success and we appreciate the support and generosity of the United Way,” says Walsh.