By Cheryl Conway
Shopping for school supplies and backpacks is always a treat for parents and their kids, but those with kindergarteners starting this school year, The Education Association of Mt. Olive has got it covered!
Thanks to the EAMO, 350 kindergartners throughout the Mt. Olive Township School District will be receiving a new backpack filled with essential supplies to start their journey as a student in Mt. Olive. The initiative—Kindergarten Bag of Success—has been made possible through the New Jersey Education Association Families and Schools Together Work For Children (FAST) Grant.
With the Kindergarten Bag of Success, all students will start their year off by having all the tools they need to be prepared for a fabulous year of learning.
“The Education Association of Mt. Olive is providing the backpacks to help strengthen the connection between our kindergarten classrooms and families,” says Malani Leitzel of Hopatcong, who serves as EAMO’s PEP/FAST Grant coordinator. “The bags contain resources that connect to what students are learning and using in school, giving families an opportunity to continue and support that learning at home.
“Another important goal is to ensure that all families have access to the same materials and resources to support their children’s learning,” says Leitzel. “This initiative helps build a stronger partnership between educators and families while promoting equitable access to learning materials beyond the classroom.”
Not the first time a backpack donation initiative has been done in MOTSD, the initiative was previously implemented in 2019 at Chester M. Stephens with Lisa Lamendola through a PEP (Public Education Partnership) Grant, shares Leitzel. However, it has not been done since 2019.
“What began as a simple idea to provide paper-and-pencil materials has grown into a community-wide initiative supporting Mt. Olive’s youngest learners,” explains Leitzel.
“The idea was inspired by something that had been done in the past, which EAMO Co-President Lisa Lamendola suggested bringing back. I took that idea and put it into motion. I reached out to the PTO presidents at all four elementary schools to get their thoughts and feedback, and they were all excited about the opportunity.
“This year, I applied for a FAST Grant to bring the initiative back and strengthen the connection between what our kindergarten teachers are using and teaching in the classroom and the families we serve,” she explains. “The goal is to provide families with resources that support and extend the learning taking place in kindergarten.”
The EAMO purchased all of the items included in the 350 backpacks provided to all four elementary schools throughout the Mt. Olive school district.
“All four Mt. Olive elementary schools were selected to participate in this initiative,” Leitzel says. “The goal is to provide kindergarten students and families, particularly those who are new to the district, with an opportunity to build a positive relationship between families and school staff from the very beginning.
“By providing materials that connect directly to what students are learning in the classroom, the initiative helps families feel welcomed, supported and connected to their child’s education and school community,” she adds.
The Kindergarten Bags of Success are red and black, and each is filled with materials designed to support and reinforce the skills students are learning in the classroom.
Each bag includes: Laminated letters for word building, letter recognition and letter sounds;
alphabet practice folder and worksheets; kindergarten workbook; dry-erase sleeve; math counters; number and math practice folder; play dough; two dry-erase markers and a dry eraser; crayons; two pencils and a pencil grip; scissors; pencil pouch; water bottle; and stickers.
“These materials are intended to give every kindergarten family access to hands-on learning resources that can be used at home to reinforce classroom learning,” stress Leitzel.
The drive ensures that no kindergarten child will start the school year without these tools for success!
“This initiative benefits students and their families by providing hands-on learning materials that directly connect to what kindergarten students are learning in the classroom,” explains Leitzel. “These resources give children opportunities to practice important early literacy and math skills at home in a fun and engaging way. The materials are designed to be used throughout the school year, allowing families to continue reinforcing classroom learning at home. As the year progresses, kindergarten teachers will also be able to provide families with additional ideas, activities, and ways to use the materials to support their child’s learning.
“The initiative also ensures that all kindergarten families have access to the same learning materials, helping to provide equitable opportunities for students regardless of the resources they may already have at home,” she adds.
“Most importantly, the Bags of Success help strengthen the connection between school and home,” continues Leitzel. “Families can see and participate in what their children are learning, while students can reinforce classroom skills through activities at home. For families who are new to the district, this initiative creates an early, positive connection with their child’s teachers and school community.”
The total grant amount for the Bags of Success initiative is $10,500. It is funded by the EAMO, the staff union of MOTSD and is supported by union dues.
“The grant we secured for the project is funded through EAMO’s union dues, which support initiatives that benefit students, families and the school community,” she adds.
Looking back at how it all came together, Leitzel is truly thankful for all community effort and support.
“Once the initiative was approved by NJEA, the materials began arriving,” Leitzel details. “EAMO members worked behind the scenes to laminate, cut, package and collate the materials so that each backpack would be ready for a kindergarten family.
“On July 20, the initiative became a true community event,” she explains. “More than 45 people came together at the high school, including EAMO members, PTO members, a Girl Scout troop and MORT of Mt. Olive. Everyone worked together to assemble and package the 350 Bags of Success.”
Plant a seed and watch it blossom.
“What started as an idea has grown into a community effort supported by the Education Association of Mt. Olive to support the district’s youngest learners and their families,” Leitzel concludes. “It demonstrates what can happen when educators, families, community members, and local organizations come together with a shared goal.
“The EAMO represents a wide range of employees who support students and the district every day, including teachers, therapists, nurses, school counselors, custodians, building and grounds staff, paraprofessionals, ABA facilitators, Child Study Team members, school secretaries and bus aides,” she concludes. “Through this initiative, EAMO is proud to extend that support beyond the school day and into the homes of Mt. Olive families.”
The Bags of Success initiative is just one example of how the EAMO gives back to and supports the community.
“Our grants and community involvement extend beyond the backpacks,” says Leitzel. “EAMO also supports events and initiatives such as Trunk or Treats, National Night Out, the Unity Tour, MORT of Mt. Olive, and Read Across America, among others.”
