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Each year over 1,300 new students enter the Stamford Public School (SPS) district. Kindergarten plays an important role in shaping these young learners. It is necessary that these students have a positive classroom experience to ignite their lifelong love of learning.

SPEF is committed to helping teachers, students, and families have a positive early education experience. It all begins with registering your child for kindergarten.

SPEF’S SUMMER START EARLY LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Summer Start is a FREE 5-week, half-day program for children entering the Stamford Public Schools (SPS) who have not had a complete preschool experience.

There are many factors that present challenges and gaps in a child’s learning experience. Before entering formal learning in the Stamford Public Schools, SPEF wants to ensure that each child has the opportunity to enjoy a safe, fun, and nurturing Pre-K learning experience.

A LOOK BACK AT SUMMER START 2023

Summer Start wrapped up on August 4th, with 90 students attending the program at Hart Magnet Elementary School. The children attending had not benefited from a quality Pre-K experience, and therefore lacked the pre-math, pre-reading literacy, social skills, and confidence they needed to enter kindergarten. During the five weeks, students were treated to a visit from SoundWaters, where they enjoyed a hands-on lesson about the sea creatures of the Long Island Sound. Also, volunteers from one of the program’s corporate funders handed out backpacks chock-full of the supplies they will need when they enter kindergarten in the fall. And finally, during the last week, the kids enjoyed their very first bus ride — to the Stamford Museum and Nature Center, where they met live animals and discovered the habitats in which they live.

In addition to all the rich learning elements the Summer Start curriculum has to offer, Summer Start also provides the opportunity for the district to complete FLSA and EL testing before these 90 students enter kindergarten in the fall. Summer Start also welcomed staff members from the Office of Family and Community Engagement to assist a few families with their Stamford Public Schools’ registration, to ensure they are ready to start school on time.

Learn More. Contact (203) 965-7733 or programs@spefct.org (English/Spanish).