Henderson Elementary School in Vancouver has asked The Vancouver Sun Children’s Fund Adopt-a-School program for $10,000 to continue the important work of its Getting Ready for Kindergarten program.

Many students attending Henderson are entering kindergarten with low literacy skills and lack of readiness to learn. Much of this is due to lack of cultural experiences, literacy enrichment and academic support at home.

Kindergarten Ready is a critical program; children are more prepared to interact appropriately with their peers and have stronger literacy skills, more developed fine and gross motor skills and can recognize letters and know their letter sounds.

Studies have long shown that supporting children when they first enter school has the most beneficial impact for a lifetime of learning.