First Steps, schools team up on childhood screening
Rochester Post Bulletin Editorial
05/15/2006
The First Steps program of Rochester Area Foundation is partnering with
Rochester public schools to get the word out that early childhood
screenings should be done at age 3.
First Steps and the school district have launched a campaign that
includes TV public service announcements, posters and brochures
informing people about the screenings.
A check-up of a child's development is required by law before the
child enters kindergarten. Most people wait until their children are
4 to get it done. However, experts in early childhood development
recommend it be done earlier so parents have more time to find any
services their children may need to help get them ready for school.
"It's not a test or an entrance exam to kindergarten," Rochester
Public Schools Superintendent Jerry Williams said Friday. "It's a
way that the school district and a family can work closely together
to ensure their child is ready to learn."
Rochester public schools provides the screenings free of charge at
the district's Northrop Community Education Center.
For more information, call the Early Childhood Screening department
at 285-8034.
