Santa Ana Parents Participate in TK-K Readiness Bridge Program

More than two dozen four-year-olds and their parents joined reading circles, family math activities, and learning stations over a two-week-period at Magnolia Science Academy - Santa Ana, a STEAM charter public school, as part of a TK-K Readiness Bridge program designed to help Santa Ana and Garden Grove families close an early achievement gap and help create a smooth socio-emotional transition to the classroom.

According to data from First 5 Orange County’s Early Development Index (EDI), more than 50% of Santa Ana and Garden Grove’s 4-year-olds aren’t ready for transitional kindergarten or kindergarten. As a response, Magnolia Science Academy – Santa Ana, First 5 Orange County, and PBS SoCal partnered to offer the TK-K Readiness Bridge program aimed at closing this early achievement gap. Although the two-week sessions have ended, similar workshops will be offered throughout the school year for children ages 2-6, as well as their parents and caregivers. The workshops, open to all members of the local community, are held at Magnolia Science Academy, which is located at 2840 W. 1st Street, Santa Ana, CA 92703.

“The partnership exposes parents to common core standards to help them gain a better understanding about the learning taking place inside the classroom,” said Dr. Maria Rowell, elementary school principal at Magnolia Science Academy – Santa Ana. “They actively participate, are inquisitive and collaborate with other parents, just as their children would. More importantly, parents absorb the learning taking place in each activity, which helps them support their children at home,” Rowell added.

By inviting partners to host workshops, Magnolia Science Academy offers additional resources and new approaches that support each individual child and the parent. For example, First 5 Orange County offered Kid Builder activities, and PBS SoCal provided Family Math workshops with fun videos and projects that helped parents better understand work packets sent home to support learning. Oftentimes, parents are transported to their own youth, which makes the learning fun, and even profound.

“It’s never just about the activity,” said Daniela Valenzuela, Early Learning Coordinator at PBS SoCal. “Parents are provided a safe space to ask questions, give feedback and connect with each activity in ways that will eventually make the interaction at home with their children much more meaningful,” added Valenzuela.

The partnership is also critical in providing support for students with various learning needs. Identifying students at the beginning of their education journey is essential to providing the right support and resources, so that they can thrive in school and beyond.