November 2007 News

Monday, November 26, 2007

Mobile Waterford Van is a Classroom on Wheels for Pre-K Youngsters

On November 6, 2007, the new Mobile Waterford Project began operation when the whimsically decorated van headed out to local neighborhoods, providing English language and learning readiness to Spanish speaking four-year-old children. The van is equipped with eight state-of-the-art computer stations that provide a highly interactive computer-based program designed to engage and educate young learners.

The Waterford Early Reading Program is a comprehensive, research-based curriculum that teaches children how to read, write, and keyboard. It is one of the nation’s first research-based, technology-driven reform models in early reading instruction. Once at their respective computer station in the van, each four-year-old works on reading Level I, building a foundation of phonological skills, letter recognition and introduction to print concepts for emergent readers. Level I is typically used in kindergarten. Student progress is closely monitored and extra focus is given to children who score 80 percent or below on their learning activities. In addition to the computer stations, the van is outfitted with a checkout library of Waterford materials for participating families.

The Mobile Waterford Van visits local neighborhoods daily for 20-minute learning sessions. Currently, the van stops at 130 East Cota, 629 Coronel, Carpinteria and Voluntario, and 2121 De la Vina streets. Staffed by teacher/van supervisor Smith “Soei” Duran and neighborhood liaison Eric Barajos, the van will be in operation year round.

According to Edwin C. Martin, Jr., of California Concern, the goal is to have more than 100 children participating in the program; currently the van is serving two-thirds of the target audience.

The Mobile Waterford Van is one facet of the Waterford program. Waterford lab programs are in place at McKinley, Cleveland, Franklin, Harding, and Adams elementary schools.

Major sponsors of the project include the James S. Bower Foundation, All Saints Episcopal Church, Edward Baker Foundation, Mission Linen Supply, and Californian Concern. The Mobile Waterford Project is conducted in partnership with the Santa Barbara School Districts.