Crib-to-College - STC, Mission CISD, Region One collaborate on innovative programming
A group of more than 70 kindergartners from Raquel Cavazos Elementary School in Alton, have taken a pledge to pursue a college education as the young cohort of the Mission Consolidated Independent School District (MCISD), Region One ESC and South Texas College Crib-to-College program.
A group of more than 70 kindergartners from Raquel Cavazos Elementary School in Alton, have taken a pledge to pursue a college education as the young cohort of the Mission Consolidated Independent School District (MCISD), Region One ESC and South Texas College Crib-to-College program.
The Crib-to-College program ensures a seamless transition from early child care to kindergarten and beyond, providing high-quality prekindergarten education for a seamless transition to kindergarten, consistent care with before- and after-school programs, full-day hours at child care facilities for working families and aligns curriculum to prepare children for academic success.
“Cavazos today, STC tomorrow,” is what the kinder students chanted during a ceremony recently hosted at the program’s kickoff ceremony. “From kinder to college, I won’t stop, I promise to reach the very top.”
The oath led by STC Associate Vice President of Dual Credit Programs and School District Partnerships Rebecca De Leon, Ed.D., served as a pledge for the students to work hard, learn with all their might, believe in themselves and a promise to keep going despite challenges.
“Region One and MCISD are longtime partners of STC, and Crib-to-College is one of the many initiatives we are working on to promote and encourage a higher education,” said De Leon. “It’s all about helping students gain confidence in themselves so that they believe that a college education is for them. They need to know that college is possible for everyone, and this program helps us motivate them.”
As partners of STC and its Dual Credit Programs, students from Alton Memorial Jr. High School and Mission Collegiate High School also attended the event to serve as role models to the kindergartners and each other.
“This program brings students together. They serve as each other’s support systems and encourage each other through their journey,” De Leon added.
It’s all about helping students gain confidence in themselves so that they believe that a college education is for them. They need to know that college is possible for everyone, and this program helps us motivate them.
In a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing during the same ceremony, Mission CISD and Region One ESC established partnerships with four early childhood centers that will also be participating in Crib-to-College – RGV Learning Institutes, Gingerbread House Learning Center Montessori, Apple Tree Academy, Kidz Crusade Childcare and Pre-K Academy, joining four other centers already established in the program.
“We are celebrating an expansion of our Crib-to-College program and our great partners, STC and Region One, because we want our students to be college-ready…our emphasis is college readiness,” said Cris Valdez, Ed.D., Mission CISD superintendent. “Our why at Mission CISD is our goal and vision to change children’s lives, their destinies and their futures. Education is a game changer. Many of us come from humble beginnings, but education changed our lives, and it was great educational leaders that influenced our futures, and this program allows us to launch a lifelong journey of learning.”
Region One Executive Director Daniel P. King, Ph.D., said children and families will directly benefit from the expertise of certified pre-k teachers who will be teaching at the centers, as part of this initiative.
“It’s a win for everyone, but most of all, it’s a win for the children," said King. "Great things are happening for these young students, and history is being made with even greater things to come.”
STC President Ricardo J. Solis, Ph.D., said Crib-to-College is an innovative initiative that is geared toward transforming the region.
“Crib-to-College is a unique program that focuses on encouraging students as young as kindergarten to attend college and aligns with our (partners) mission of creating a college-going culture in the RGV and transforming our region,” said Solis. “We must give our region’s students confidence to pursue higher education and help them see that everything is possible. This program will allow us to collaboratively expand on the opportunities and resources we offer and will help us continue to change lives one student at a time.”