EXCEL BY 5 AIMS HIGH IN PREPARING CHILDREN FOR KINDERGARTEN

Ten years ago, a kindergarten teacher in south Mississippi told her husband of her concern for children who were starting school without having mastered some basic skills which should be developed during their most formative years.

The City of McComb and the McComb School District have joined hands with area businesses, educators and concerned citizens to concentrate efforts to shape youngsters in their formative years of age 1 to 5.

Please find attached the Excel By 5 2011 Summit Newsletter.

Start early and start now, that was the message of the Excel By 5 summit Wednesday morning as advocates from across the state got some good news; the program is growing.

After three years of continuing efforts in support of families and children ages 0-5, Pascagoula has completed all the Excel By 5 re-certification requirements to become designated as a re-certified early childhood community.  Pascagoula's initial certification was awarded in 2008.  Many thanks to the Pascagoula Excel By 5 Coalition, city officials, childcare centers, businesses and other community members for their efforts in achieving this goal.

Excel By 5, Inc. announced today (June 30, 2011) its partnership with the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi (CFNM).  CFNM will invest $150,000 to expand Excel By 5 into Northwest Mississippi.

Biloxi, MS has met all the requirements to become Mississippi's 8th Certified Early Childhood Community

On May 3, 2010 Cleveland, MS completed the Excel By 5 requirements and is now Mississippi's 7th Certified Early Childhood Community.

In partnership with the Mississippi Center for Education Innovation (MSCEI), Excel By 5 will work with sixteen (16) Delta communities to improve early learning opportunities through collaborations, technical support and resources development. 

It took money, time and a lot of hard work but Monroe county leaders hope it all pays off for children in that area.  The county is now Certified as an 'Excel By 5" Early childhood community.  The effort will help ensure all children get a head start on school.

PASCAGOULA--WLOX-TV Stations Manager David Vincent shares his support for the Excel by Five Initiative.

JACKSON, Miss – Mississippi First Lady Marsha Barbour today joined early childhood development experts and ChevronTexaco representatives to launch Excel by Five, a community-based educational program designed to improve a child’s overall well-being by age five. Funded with a $650,000 grant from ChevronTexaco, the program will be piloted in Cleveland, West Point, Petal and Pascagoula.

Starkville, Mississippi - Petal, Mississippi will officially become the first certified Excel by 5 community in the state on Saturday, March 31, 2007 at the community's celebration. As one of four pilot sites, Petal will be recognized for its work to meet the required criteria to achieve certification as a "child-friendly" community.

PASCAGOULA -- The Excel by 5 toy library has all the educational opportunities of a pre-school classroom combined with all the fun of a new toy store, and it will open in April for area children to enjoy.