Creating prolific readers of pre-k children by the time they enter kindergarten! Listen to Jonah.
What Parents Are Saying?

Creating prolific readers of pre-k children by the time they enter kindergarten! Listen to Jonah.
What Parents Are Saying?

During our January 31st 2012 meeting with Mr. Mark White, Principal of Hintgen Elementary and with Mr. Rob Tyvoll, La Crosse School District's English Language Learners Coordinator, we were told that our "literacy  program has raised-the-bar, as far as pre-k reading." Mr. White is also in charge of the school district's 19 4-k  programs.   After placing an ad in the La Crosse Tribune, we received a call from Mrs. Lynda Fernholz, apparently with the West Salem school district.  She stated, "I didn't know you could teach 4-year olds to read." It is standard thinking by many teachers and parents that 3 1/2 to 5-year old children are not ready to be taught to read. This standard way of thinking is changing.

Sadly, the state of Wisconsin does not require its teachers to teach pre-k children to read. Research has shown that  teaching  pre-k children to read, not only builds solid literacy comprehension, but also significantly increases their vocabulary.

More than 38 million Americans --13 percent of the population -- live below the official poverty line, about $20,000 per year for a family of four. Education is the single most important factor in the determination of a person's poverty status: (Source: City-data.com)

With a new national focus on education and the passing of the "No Child Left  Behind" Act, a spotlight has been placed on the improvement of student performance in our nation's schools. As the only pre-K literacy program in La Crosse County, we are proud to be meeting the challenge of teaching early childhood literacy to preschoolers.  We are proud of the high bar we have set and the proven literacy results of our curricula.  We regret that so many people are unaware of the fact, that preschoolers can and are being taught to read and that early childhood literacy is encouraged and supported by expert research. In a series of special events and information sessions, we have collaborated with leading literacy organizations and educators from around the country to promote and share our pre-k student's education, experience and performance.

Clara Fields Multicultural Literacy Program teaches literacy on the broad base of phonological awareness; therefore, all the components of reading and laying a strong foundation on which to build literacy skills are covered. 45% of the nation's children are at risk of educational failure because of their lack of  literacy skills. We are servicing the children of La Crosse County that make up part of that 45%.

Our literacy program's curriculum will be challenging without making the child feel intimidated or overwhelmed. With an  inclusive, reflective curriculum, we want the child to feel comfortable and culturally connected by affording him or her a sense of familiarity in what he or she sees, hears and reads. As the program expands their background knowledge, a broader base on which to build  literacy skills will be created. In addition, this expansion will increase the child's ability to speak and write well. 

Statistics support our early pre-k literacy intervention.  With our 11-Unit Curriculum, each child will learn all the aspects of reading from phonics to vocabulary and listening to  behavioral skills. Our curriculum is taught sequentially from a multisensory perspective.

Each child is given an assessment test on the first day of enrollment. Their progress is  monitored and reviewed weekly. Report cards are issued in December, March and June. We offer tutoring for the K-2nd grader who may have missed a good literacy foundation, thus improving their chance of academic success.

Our program will give attention to the early intervention of preschoolers because statistics show that children develop much of their capacity for learning in the first three years of life.

Our Books on CD Listening Center has 4 headphones with volume control. This is a perfect reading tool for your child. Our literacy program also teaches your child with the lovely sound of music. Your child will sing-a-long and dance-a-long while learning their vowels and sight words. Each day your child is read to at Story Time. They can also have their favorite book read.

Our bright and colorful classroom is the perfect learning environment for your child. Watch your child develop into a happy, confident learner - ready for lifelong success. You can trust that our literacy program far surpasses traditional pre-k, 4-k and pre-school daycare programs. We teach your child to READ!

In addition to an array of electronic literacy tools, our literacy program was awarded two IBM Young Explorer computer centers.

The Young Explorer computer centers, valued at $2,600 each, are designed to enhance children's learning through technology and are targeted towards children 3 to 7 years of age. Combining durable, creative design, leading-edge technology and award-winning software, the Young Explorer computer centers are both child and parent friendly. They provide everything needed to challenge young minds and allow children to explore at their own pace. 

Executive Director Valjean Adams with 3 1/2-year old Jayonte learning his sight words.

Liz Aiken
Donna Buckbee
Gretchen & Jason Dillaber
Andrew L. Dixon III
Louise Donohue
Jennifer Gregas
Don Harding
Maureen Haynes
Madaline Henderson

Michael L. Hester
Victor Johnson
Ralph Lamb
Dean A. Lanz
James Lewis
Joby Mathews
Saleh Mitchell
David R. Morrison
Janepptter Murphy

Erik O'Neal
Sarah & Bill Preuss
Karin & Erik Smith
Jamil Sulieman
Rita Koch-Thometz
Kathyn Vanderweide
Allen Webb
April & Chand Wehling

The Clara Fields Multicultural  Literacy  Program is  appropriately  named  after  Mrs. Adams' grandmother. Clara Fields successfully raised nine children alone after leaving an abusive husband. Determining that her children would all have the benefit of a good education to escape the poverty and hard life that she had known, she set out to do whatever it took to realize her dreams for her children. She honored education and instilled a love and appreciation for it in them.  Working at every job from scrubbing floors to sewing, she saved money for their education. 

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