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Superior district outlines new Get Kids Ready partnership with YMCA, details 4K and summer plans
Summary
Director Jennifer Willoughby told the board the district is partnering with the YMCA for a full-day "Get Kids Ready" 4K program, explained staffing and licensing differences with district 4K teachers, and outlined summer programming (June 15–July 16) and transportation arrangements.
Jennifer Willoughby, director of early childhood and family education for the Superior School District, briefed the board on kindergarten and early-childhood programming and described a new full-day partnership with the YMCA called "Get Kids Ready." Willoughby said the district currently has about 136 kindergarten enrollments, roughly 18 fewer than last year, and that 36 of those students will participate in Get Kids Ready across four schools.
Willoughby explained the staffing and licensing arrangement: district 4K teachers are licensed through the state, while Get Kids Ready/YMCA staff are hired by the YMCA and are not district employees; those staff are not required to hold a teaching license but must have an associate or bachelor’s degree and use an approved curriculum. She said the YMCA chose to prioritize Get Kids Ready over maintaining its prior 4K contract in order to provide a full-day option. The district intends to coordinate joint trainings and shared professional development between district 4K teachers and YMCA staff.
Willoughby reviewed summer offerings: elementary programming will be held at Northern Lights; secondary camps and drama camp will be at the high school; summer programming runs June 15–July 16 (no school during the week of July 4); Spartan Athletic Development sessions begin June 8; and the district will bus students to afternoon partner programs including Boys & Girls Club and community park playground programs. She also noted hunter-safety sessions at the Superior Trap Club and a tentative Summer Trades Academy July 20–24 for juniors and seniors with a cap of about 21 students.
Board members asked operational questions (busing, special-education services, free and reduced-price lunch eligibility) and Willoughby confirmed that students in the program could ride the bus, access free and reduced lunch and receive required special-education services; she clarified that Get Kids Ready does not cover the cost of special-education services, which remain an obligation of the district.
Willoughby also reported that an Indian education event earlier in May drew about 350 attendees, noted vendor participation and said the district hopes to provide a feast at future events if budgets allow.
