Numbers show benefits of Cradle to Career Miramichi

“We are pleased to share our first annual report that highlights the impact of our collective actions at getting better outcomes for our children,” said Senator David Adams Richards, Co-chair Cradle to Career Miramichi.

Richards explains that Cradle to Career Miramichi is a new movement in Miramichi to help every child succeed in school and in life from cradle to career, regardless of life’s circumstances. He said this communitywide partnership provides a road map to change and is a new way for community stakeholders to work together. The overarching goal of Cradle to Career Miramichi is to collectively align community resources to ensure that all children and youth succeed in education, career and life, because successful children lead to a vibrant and thriving community.

“The progress that our Cradle to Career Miramichi partnership has made in the past year has been inspirational,” said Mayor Adam Lordon, co chair of Cradle to Career Miramichi.  “We have watched the vision of this initiative–to align community resources to collectively impact equity and excellence in education, for every child, cradle to career–evolve from theory into practice and action.”

Lordon said the  report tracks the progress of the partnerships in improving outcomes and expanding opportunities for every child. To illustrate impact, Cradle to Career identified a baseline for comparison. The report card highlights annual changes in student outcomes compared to the baseline. It also tracks partnership progress in moving the community-level outcomes and achieving goals.

Attached is the Report Card and below are the highlights for our priority area “Every elementary child reads at grade level by grade 3”.

Interventions undertaken in the community

• 73.3% increase in the number of K-3 striving reader* attending Summer Literacy Camps

• 100% of striving readers enrolled in Summer Literacy Camps with no summer learning loss
• 100% of K-3 parents of striving readers in our camps followed-up for child's Eye Exam
• 87% average attendance of those registered for Summer Literacy Camps
• 100% of K-3 striving readers in camps with least 3 'one on one' reading sessions per week

Prevention strategies undertaken in the community

• 158% increase in the number of children in EXSTING summer programs who have 20 minutes of reading/day (existing summer camps throughout the city- over 200 kids)
• 49% increase in the number of children's books read in the summer (Summer Reading Club NBPLS) (from 17,615 books in summer of 2017 to 26,283 books in 2018)
• 100% of K-3 schools that promote students applying for a Library Card (528 cards applied for)
• 91% increase in the number of children registered in NB Public Library Summer Reading Club (471 Kids in 2017 to 901 kids in 2018)
• 788 STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) activities with students (summer 2018)
• 100% of schools informed parents how to use TUMBLEBOOKS and access

Community Investments in Learning:

• Over $40,000.00 raised for Summer Literacy Camps
• Over $9,000.00 in free advertising was donated by Life Radio and Businesses to promote literacy
• Community groups have embedded learning into existing children programs

Mark Donovan, Superintendent for Anglophone North and member of the Leadership Council of Cradle to Career Miramichi acknowledges and thanks all of those involved for their commitment to this important effort. We attribute the success to date to the unwavering dedication of those involved, and we are confident that with continued focus and commitment, Cradle to Career Miramichi will be sure to have another productive year. On behalf of the  Anglophone North School District, I want to thank the Leadership Council for leading the way and facilitating the work.

The Report outlines why this data is so important.

Why track follow-up for children’s Eye Exam? Six out of 10 kids with reading problems have vision problems, according to the New Brunswick Association of Optometry.  Furthermore approximately 50% of striving readers* registered in our camps have not had an eye exam in the last year. The expectation is that informing parents of free eye care and removing barriers of access, will increase the number of eye exams. This should, in turn, improve literacy. 

Why track summer learning loss for striving readers? According to the National Summer Learning Association, students can lose up to 12 weeks of learning over the summer. The expectation is that having summer literacy camps for striving readers* will reduce the summer learning gap. This should, in turn, improve child development.

Why track children’s reading/STEM activities during summer and after school? According to the NB Comprehensive Literacy Strategy, opportunities for high-quality, engaging ways to spend after school time, can help vulnerable children overcome learning and developmental risk factors. The expectation is that embedding 20 minutes of reading, STEM activities, and Library Programs into out of school programs will increase the frequency of reading.  This should, in turn, improve child development.

Why track access to free books and programming? According to the NB Comprehensive Literacy Strategy, children must be provided rich opportunities to learn to read. Public libraries offer access to hundreds of thousands of children’s books, online resources like TumbleBooks, and dedicated children’s programming like the annual Summer Reading Club. Library staff encourage reading during the summer, they encourage children to have a library card and to read with their family. This should in turn improve reading skills and develop a love of reading.

Why track educating parents & camp counsellors on tutoring strategies? According to the NB Comprehensive Literacy Strategy, opportunities for children to read and learn cannot be over emphasized and this work must be started in homes and communities. The expectation is that providing targeted reading strategies to parents and camp counsellor  will increase reading and positively impact literacy achievement in students.

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