Kids in Transition to School
KITS is an early childhood summer program available to Springfield families. SPS will be hosting KITS at Guy Lee, Two Rivers-Dos Ríos, Riverbend, and Mt. Vernon elementary schools. Students entering Kindergarten at any of our elementary schools are eligible to attend at one of these sites, as space allows.
This summer program is designed to equip children with the skills needed to successfully begin school.
Children who are enrolled for kindergarten in the fall are invited to a playgroup that meets four times a week for 6 weeks, beginning July 7 through August 14, 2025.
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.
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.
Registration: Registration for 2025 opens May 1, 2025.
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)