KELLOGG — The Kellogg School District is now registering students for a brand new program that will put an emphasis on early-age literacy.

KSD recently announced its plans for a summer literacy program for all Pinehurst and Canyon Elementary School students in kindergarten through the third grade who may be struggling with low literacy.

According to a release from the district, the program is designed to strengthen literacy readiness for new kindergarteners and help students who have lower than average literacy skills. By partnering with parents during the summer, the program allows students to see literacy growth that sets them up for success in the next school year.

“Quality early literacy plays a key role in supporting future academic success, higher graduation rates, and more productive adult experiences,” said KSD CIA Director Nate Whatcott. “Unfortunately, over the last couple decades, we are seeing more and more kids entering kindergarten with lower than expected literacy skills. It has only gotten worse over the last two-and-a-half years with interruptions in school caused by the pandemic.”

The Upstart Summer Learning Path program is provided by Waterford, a national nonprofit organization that has set a goal for universal literacy and has been providing the Upstart program for more than a decade.

Their goal stemmed from the harrowing statistics that more than 43 million Americans have what are considered to be low literacy skills, and that 8.4 million American adults are classified as functionally illiterate.

Functional illiteracy means that a person cannot use reading, writing, and calculation skills for their own and the community's development.

70% of all welfare recipients are considered low literacy and of those adults, 43% live below the poverty line.

Attacking issues like literacy at an early age can systematically change the trajectory of a family or community for generations to come.

The program will be free to all participating students due to KSD utilizing literacy funding to cover the cost of student registrations.

The program will allow children to access online instructional activities that will also nurture more family involvement in their child’s education through family coaches and fun educational activities.

The program will be open to children who will be in kindergarten in the 2022-2023 school year. It will also be available to first, second and third-grade students who have lower than average literacy skills as determined by their teachers.

Students who qualify for the program will have information sent home with them, or parents may pick up information at Canyon or Pinehurst Elementary schools.

Parents can register online at upstart.waterford.org, calling 888-982-9898, or by scanning the QR code that comes home with their child.

For more information, please contact Nathan Whatcott at 208-784-1348 or by email at nathan.whatcott@kelloggschools.org.