District launches kindergarten kickoff board-game to boost readiness and enrollment

The Monroe County School District unveiled a kindergarten readiness initiative that will give every enrolled kindergartner a custom board game designed to reinforce early literacy and numeracy skills and to connect families with on-site registration and resources.

Jen Walker, who introduced the 'Playing Our Way to K' kickoff, said the program partners with more than 30 community sponsors and public-safety partners to make family-game nights a tool for strengthening school readiness. Walker said short video segments in families' home languages will show how to play the game and provide simple at-home practice activities.

District staff framed the initiative as part of a broader push to improve kindergarten readiness — citing a proficiency threshold referenced in the presentation — and to raise local rates well above the state's baseline. The presentation included plans for on-site registration, screeners at events, and follow-up with families to monitor outcomes.

Board members asked about sponsor coverage across the Florida Keys and how the district will measure the program’s effectiveness. Staff said the district will track progress-monitoring data and enrollment trends and report back. The superintendent added that the district will also launch a media campaign to encourage kindergarten enrollment and that all enrolled kindergarteners will receive the game regardless of whether they attend the kickoff event.

The program aims to make a positive community connection while addressing summer learning loss and increasing visibility of district offerings as enrollment numbers remain a local budget driver.