‘Springboard’ Literacy Program Lifts Elementary Families

For many in Fayette County Public Schools, summer is a time to recharge. For elementary students and their families, it is also a chance to develop reading skills, build confidence, and set routines to support success throughout the new school year.

In July, the district’s Department of Family and Community Engagement (FACE) again partnered with Springboard Collaborative to offer a free, four-week program for grades K-5, and 75 students signed up. This year’s program, which is hosted by Millcreek Elementary, combines reading lessons with experiences that equip families to be active partners in their child's learning. Springboard’s core belief is that families are children's first and most influential teachers. Through coaching, workshops, and take-home books, the program extends learning beyond the classroom and into the home. 

“Literacy is one of the greatest gifts we can give a child, and families are our most important partners in making that possible,” said Sharon Mofield-Boswell, director of FACE. “Springboard is about more than improving reading skills. It's about building the confidence of families, strengthening the partnership between home and school, and ensuring every child has the support they need to thrive.” 

Throughout this month, students get specific reading instruction in the mornings while their families or caregivers are invited to Thursday workshops for practical strategies that encourage reading at home. Together, our teachers and families work toward a shared goal of developing strong readers and lifelong learners – one promise in our district’s Portrait of a Graduate. 

By investing in children and the adults who support them, FCPS is creating a community of learners where families and schools work together to make sure every child can reach their potential.