Kids in Transition to School
KITS is an early childhood summer program available to Springfield families. This program is designed to equip children with the skills needed to successfully begin school.
Students are taught pre-reading skills (letter names and sounds), pre-writing skills (how to write their name), and social skills (taking turns, raising their hand, and how not to talk out of turn).
Parents and guardians are also invited to participate in weekly workshops, with conversation and resources to prepare their child for a strong start in school and to establish routines for getting to school, doing homework, and getting involved at the school.
KITS 2026
In 2026, the summer KITS program will be available for enrolled incoming kindergarteners attending most SPS elementary schools.
Two SPS elementary schools, Guy Lee Elementary and Riverbend Elementary, have been selected to participate in a fall kindergarten readiness program created by the KITS team called Social-emotional Skills for Thriving and Relating at School (SSTaRS). The fall program, like the summer program, offers social and academic enrichment for students and opportunities for family involvement. Students enrolled at these two schools are not eligible to register for the summer KITS program, as they will participate in the program with their class in the fall.
KITS will be hosted at Maple, Mt. Vernon and Thurston Elementary schools. Students entering kindergarten at any of our eligible elementary schools will attend at one of these sites, as space allows.
For more information, please contact:
Melissa Locke, Administrator, Federal Programs and Grants
(541) 726-3223
Maria Denny, Extended Learning Liaison
(541) 228-6681 (call or text)
Email: summerlearning@springfield.k12.or.us
About KITS: Initially piloted in the Springfield and Bethel school districts, KITS has expanded to a number of other area districts. Funding for the program has been provided through a collaboration between United Way of Lane County, the Springfield and Bethel School Districts, the Oregon Social Learning Center, and a number of community partners, including the Springfield Education Foundation.