District spotlights Parents as Teachers program, urges kindergarten screenings and registration

Cape Girardeau Public Schools used its CT Now podcast to feature Parents as Teachers, a district program that supports families from the prenatal period through kindergarten entry and provides developmental information, activities and connections to services.

Stephanie Ellinger, parent educator and program coordinator, described the program’s scope: Parents as Teachers "supports the parent as they are have a child who's prenatal through kindergarten entry. ... We are there to provide them development information, activities, but we're there to support them and give them the knowledge they need or the help they need so their child can grow." The podcast explained the program offers developmental guidance and group connections, and participates in community events such as library visits for pre-K families.

The episode also urged families to use the district website to enroll and sign up for kindergarten screening. Ellinger said an enrollment link and a kindergarten registration item are available on capetigers.com, and the podcast advised families to look for the PAT tab or search "Parents as Teachers". The recording mentioned kindergarten screening sessions occurring "this week" and referenced possible dates in March and May but did not provide an exact calendar of screenings; parents seeking specific dates were directed to the district website.

What’s next: Families interested in PAT or kindergarten screening should use capetigers.com to find the PAT enrollment form and kindergarten registration; the transcript did not provide a direct phone number or specific screening schedule beyond the website guidance.