TAYLOR ‘PRE-K’ PROGRAM EXPANDS WITH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION GRANT

Community Foundation expands Pre-Kindergarten Education Grant at Taylor Elementary of Kokomo

KOKOMO, Ind. -- Pre-kindergarten-age children from qualifying families in the Taylor Community School Corporation can now benefit from an all-day Pre-K program at Taylor Elementary School, thanks to a supporting grant from the Community Foundation of Howard County.

“Students who are prepared for kindergarten are more likely to be successful in life,” said Matthew Nuttall, Taylor Elementary principal. “Many of our students need that extra bit of help to prepare them for the education experience,” he added. “This grant from the Community Foundation helps us expand the program to serve even more students in our community.”

“Supporting student success through scholarships and grants is an important part of our mission,” said Greg Aaron, president, Community Foundation of Howard County. Aaron noted eligible area high-school students have earned more than $496,000 in scholarships for the 2019-20 school year, including two Lilly Endowment Community Scholarships. “Helping Taylor start the all-day Pre-K program is another great example of the Foundation’s focus on education in the community,” Aaron said.

Taylor Elementary had a waiting list of children whose parents were eager for a full-day Pre-K program at the school. The Community Foundation grant helps Taylor Elementary meet that community need. “Our goal is to be an affordable ‘community center’ that makes a difference for families in our area,” Nuttall said.

Furthermore, the efficacy of helping students develop a “love of learning” is validated by data. Studies by Indiana’s Family and Social Services Administration and Purdue University confirm children who participate in Pre-K programs have better early language, literacy and math skills, and are better prepared for kindergarten.

The initiative at Taylor Elementary has similar results. “Our research shows students in our Pre-K program are on or above grade-level when they transition to kindergarten,” Nuttall said. “Expanding the program to a full day helps us prepare even more students to be successful once they start school.”

About Taylor Community School Corporation

Taylor Community School Corporation is a public school district serving parts of southern Kokomo, Indiana, Indian Heights, Indiana, and Taylor Township in Howard County, Indiana.

About the Community Foundation of Howard County, Inc.

The Community Foundation Serving Howard, Carroll and Clinton Counties is a nonprofit charitable organization. The purpose of the Foundation is to serve the interests of donors, to make grants and to act as a catalyst around issues of community importance in Howard, Carroll and Clinton counties. For details about making a charitable gift or establishing a permanent endowment fund to benefit a charitable organization or interest, contact Greg Aaron at (765) 454-7298 or greg@cfhoward.org.