SC °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 celebrates 25 years of preparing children for success in school and life
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June 28, 2024 marks the 25th anniversary of the creation of °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023.
COLUMBIA, S.C. – °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 today announced the kickoff of Countdown to Kindergarten, an annual initiative focused on preparing young children for success in school. Through partnerships with schools and community organizations across South Carolina, Countdown to Kindergarten provides rising kindergartners and their families with resources and support for a smooth transition to the classroom.
"Every child deserves a positive start in school, and Countdown to Kindergarten is our commitment to making that happen," said Janice Kilburn, school transition coordinator at °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023. "By working together with educators and community partners, we are helping families across the state build the confidence and connections they need to support their child's academic success from the very beginning."
A of 2,727 parents and caregivers in South Carolina revealed that 75% of parents need help knowing how to prepare their child for kindergarten.
The Countdown to Kindergarten initiative addresses this need through a variety of activities and resources designed to engage children, families, and communities. These efforts focus on encouraging early registration, fostering connections with schools, promoting school readiness, and linking families with community resources.
This year, °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 has partnered with 90 school districts and community organizations in 33 counties, including:
Abbeville County °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023
Abbeville County School District
Aiken County °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023
Aiken County Public School District
Anderson County °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023
Anderson School District 2
Anderson School District 3
Anderson School District 4
Anderson School District One
Saint Joseph Catholic School (Anderson)
Barnwell County °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023
Barnwell County Consolidated School District
CÃrculos de Bienestar (Berkeley)
Calhoun County °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023
Calhoun County School District
Cherokee County °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023
Cherokee County School District
Chester County °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023
Chester County School District
Clarendon County °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023
Clarendon County School District
Colleton County °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023
Colleton County School District
East Coast Migrant Head Start Project (Colleton)
Darlington County °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023
Darlington County School District
Dorchester County °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023
Dorchester County School District 4
Oakbrook Elementary School (Dorchester District Two)
Fairfield County °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023
Fairfield County School District
Florence 1 Schools
Florence County School District 2
Florence County School District 3
Florence District 5 Schools
Florence County °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023
Georgetown County School District
EdVenture Children's Museum
Horry County °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023
Kershaw County °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023
Kershaw County School District
Lancaster County °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023
Lancaster County School District
Lee County °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023
Lee County School District
Tomorrow's Leaders (Lee)
American Leadership Academy (Lexington)
Lexington County °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023
Lexington County School District One
Lexington School District 2
Lexington School District 4
Lexington-Richland School District 5
Marion County °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023
Marion County School District
McCormick County °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023
McCormick County Schools
Newberry County °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023
Newberry County Library System
School District of Newberry County
Oconee County °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023
School District of Oconee County
Orangeburg County °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023
Orangeburg County School District
Pickens County °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023
School District of Pickens County
EdVenture Children's Museum
PASOs (Richland)
Richland County °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023
Richland School District 2
South Carolina ETV (Richland)
Children’s Museum of the Upstate-Spartanburg
Spartanburg County °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023
Spartanburg School District 1
Spartanburg School District 2
Spartanburg School District 3
Spartanburg School District 4
Spartanburg School District 5
Spartanburg School District 6
Spartanburg School District 7
Upstate Family Resource Center (Spartanburg)
Ragin Preparatory Christian Academy (Sumter)
Union County °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023
Union County Schools
Williamsburg County °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023
Williamsburg County School District
Clover School District (York)
Fort Mill School District 4 (York)
Rock Hill School District (York)
York County °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023
York School District 1
Families are encouraged to visit countdownsc.org for useful information to help prepare children for kindergarten. The website features helpful tips, resources, a school directory, and a calendar showcasing local Countdown to Kindergarten events.
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June 28, 2024 marks the 25th anniversary of the creation of °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023.
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The statewide platform has earned national recognition for helping families find and enroll in programs and services for children ages 0-5.
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°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023, the state's early childhood agency, today announced the resignation of Georgia Mjartan as executive director, effective June 30, 2024. The Board of Trustees has appointed Mark Barnes, the agency's current director of administration, as interim executive director while a national search is conducted to identify a permanent successor.
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