90 percent CSLC HIPPY 2012 grads pass 3rd grade reading test for 2015

CSLC HIPPY 2012 graduates with coordinator Lula Friar (rear left) and Executive Director Beulah Greer (rear right). Six participants are not pictured.

Data sparks an urgent need for more donors to help expand the program

The Mississippi Link Newswire

Hailey Kimbrough Jordan, 4, (right) is engaged in learning with  CSLC HIPPY Home Visitor Cherisse Marshall. (PHOTOS COURTESY OF CSLC).
Hailey Kimbrough Jordan, 4, (right) is engaged in learning with
CSLC HIPPY Home Visitor Cherisse Marshall. (PHOTOS COURTESY OF CSLC).

LEXINGTON, Miss. – The administration, staff and parents of the Community Students Learning Center’s Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) program are excited to discover that 90 percent of their 20 early childhood literacy graduates of 2012 passed the 2015 Mississippi 3rd Grade Reading Summative Assessment.

Coupled with that achievement, the program is preparing for its fifth graduating class August 11 at 6 p.m. Unfortunately, this celebration is somewhat hampered by a long waiting list of parents wanting to enter the program and a lack funds to expand and serve them.

That is why CSLC is sending out an urgent message calling on other contributors to help. “We know and believe there are benefactors out there who would want to see this program expanded to serve even more children,” said Beulah Greer, CSLC co-founder and executive director. “National data have shown the benefits of early childhood literacy. It works!”

Greer said that is why CSLC is sending out this alert so that more young budding scholars will receive an early start that can propel them to reading and other academic success, ultimately, helping to close  the achievement gaps between the less fortunate and the fortunate.

According to HIPPY USA, Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) is an evidence-based program that works with families in the home to support parents in their critical role as their child’s first and most important teacher.

HIPPY strengthens communities and families by empowering parents to actively prepare their children for success in school. Participating parents are thrilled to have such a great school-readiness program.

The program actually benefits both generations:  the parent and the child. Some parents have been inspired to continue their education as a result of participating in HIPPY according to HIPPY USA.

Audrey Anderson, whose grandson Cason will be graduating from the program, Aug. 11, said she really enjoyed HIPPY. “My grandson and I have progressed and worked well with the lessons,” she said.

“Any HIPPY activity that is hands-on, Cason gets heavily engaged. Last night, we were reading one of the books that is a part of the curriculum. He would read a page and I would read a page. We read page after page until he had fallen asleep.”

Each participant in the HIPPY program receives a total of 27 books by the time they graduate. They have their own personal library before they head to Kindergarten.

Earline Hart, whose granddaughter Hailey just entered the program, said, “The program inspires and motivates Hailey.” She said Hailey is so excited about the program that when she [Hart] gets home from work, Hailey wants to role play – making Hart the student as she emulates what her home-visitor shared with her and her sitter during the day.

“I mean it is like total recall,” Hart said. Hart also said she would like to see the program incorporated into the school district benefitting even more students.

Greer concurs. Greer also said the CSLC Board has met and is urging everyone concerned to help with this much-needed expansion. While the program is no cost to the participating parents, operation, license, curriculum, home visitors, materials, etc. are the responsibilities of the sites.

Tax deductible donations may be made payable to: “CSLC HIPPY” and mailed to or dropped off at 333 Yazoo St., Lexington, MS 39095. Or contact Greer at (662) 834-0905.

CSLC HIPPY parents listen attentively during one of their group meetings.
CSLC HIPPY parents listen attentively during one of their group meetings.
CSLC HIPPY 2012 graduates with coordinator Lula Friar  (rear left) and Executive Director Beulah Greer (rear right). Six participants are not pictured.
CSLC HIPPY 2012 graduates with coordinator Lula Friar
(rear left) and Executive Director Beulah Greer (rear right). Six participants are not pictured.