03/08/10 - Learning Link plans community meeting

 Early childhood team members will unveil a checklist of the skills that have been shown to ensure later success in school for families and other providers of programs for young children and DeKalb County community members. "Team members came to the table recognizing the importance of children being prepared for learning in kindergarten," said Judy Sorg, director of DeKalb County Learning Link, the DeKalb County Community Foundation’s education initiative.

Early childhood team members include kindergarten teachers and early childhood educators across northeast Indiana, along with community members who are interested in doing what’s best for children and for DeKalb County’s future. "This team sees first-hand how children who enter school with those early skills are those reading at grade level by third grade," Sorg said.

DeKalb County Learning Link has been organizing action teams over the past year to work toward the community’s long-term vision of "working together through continuous learning to improve the quality of life for all in DeKalb County." Three action teams will present their progress at the March 16 meeting, the third of its kind since Learning Link began its work in 2008. The teams are: early childhood learning; kindergarten to 12th grade education; and adult lifelong learning. After the teams report, input and suggestions will be sought from audience members.

Learning Link spent its first year working under the direction of Joseph "Jay" A. Connor, founder and CEO of the Collaboratory for Community Support. "No longer can one entity or organization solve the complex social problems. The real issues are too interwoven and the attempts to address them too fragmented. It requires the involvement of all sectors working together toward clear outcomes," Connor said.

"There are many people in DeKalb County who are convinced that education is the key to improving the quality of life for their children and grandchildren," said Wendy Oberlin, the community foundation’s director. "They are willing to devote their time to work toward a common educational goal, and the community foundation is happy to provide the coordination and platform necessary to make their work possible."

People attending the March 16 meeting should enter the school at door no. 20 off Britton Street in Garrett. Dinner will be provided.

Anyone planning to attend should make a reservation by calling Diane Wilson at the DeKalb County Community Foundation, 925-0311, or send an e-mail message to dwilson@dekalbfoundation.org.

For more information about DeKalb County Learning Link, call Sorg at 925-0311 or go to the website dekalblearninglink.org.