Spring is the time to sign up for kindergarten—but not every family with a five-year-old knows when and where to register. Language and cultural barriers stand in the way of many families, making it harder for them to get information about how to sign up for school on time.
Signing up late can mean families miss out on opportunities to meet teachers, participate in summer boost programs, and learn about resources like immunization clinics that will help their child be ready for kindergarten on day one.
That’s why Early Learning Multnomah (ELM) coordinates and invests in the Ready for Kindergarten campaign, a long-time community awareness effort to get kids signed up for kindergarten by June 1.
This year, to get the message to even more families, ELM is relying on the connections of 30+ partner organizations working in communities throughout Multnomah County. Staff in these organizations are using their personal relationships to get the word out about the benefits of early kindergarten registration to families across the county. These partners know their communities well and, equipped with materials developed here at ELM, can help reach families who might not have heard about the June 1 deadline.
Ready for Kindergarten Campaign posters and flyers are available for download here. If you represent a school or community partner, please email Amanda Friese to order your printed campaign materials.
Thank you to our participating community partners for helping get the word out through this year’s Ready for Kindergarten campaign!
School Districts
Portland Public Schools
David Douglas School District
Gresham-Barlow School District
Centennial School District
Reynolds School District
Parkrose School District
Preschool & Head Start
Amazing Minds
PPS Head Start
Albina Head Start
OCDC Head Start
MHCC Head Start
Community-Based Organizations
Multnomah Early Childhood Program (MECP)
SUNSS
DHS
Kairos PDX
Portland Children’s Levy
Home Forward
Metro MultiFamily
Multnomah County Library
Multnomah County Health Clinics/School-based health clinics
Childcare Resource and Referral of Multnomah County
Community Education Workers
Impact NW
IRCO
Home Visiting Community of Practice
County Home Visitors
Young Child Wellness Council
Mother & Child Education Center
Latino Network
NAYA
Boys & Girls Club
WIC