UWAC News

Journal Gazette: Class of 2032 learns the ropes

Jul 11, 2019

ASHLEY SLOBODA | The Journal Gazette

About a dozen soon-to-be kindergartners had Haley Elementary School nearly to themselves this morning as they continued to learn what to expect at school through Kindergarten Countdown.

Now in its seventh year, the four-week United Way of Allen County program serves youth with little or no pre-K experience or who are limited English speakers. Students learn classroom behavior, what school is like and take a field trip to Eagle Marsh, said Tiffany Bailey, vice president of community impact for United Way.

“It’s a program we love,” Bailey said at a news conference today.

Haley is one of six Kindergarten Countdown sites between Fort Wayne Community and East Allen County schools. Most will host Parkview’s Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, which is offering services such as immunizations, vision and hearing screenings and wellness visits to children 18 and younger.

“It’s equivalent to a physician’s office,” Krystal Miller of Parkview said.

Families may schedule an appointment by calling 1-877-774-8632. The care mobile, which visited Haley today, will be at Indian Village Elementary School on July 22, Price Elementary School on July 31 and Southwick Elementary School on Aug. 1. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at all locations.

Services are offered at no charge to families without medical insurance, but all other insurances are accepted, according to a news release.