Liberty Local Schools Awarded $45,000 Grant to Support Kindergarten Readiness
Liberty, OH — Liberty Local Schools is proud to announce it has been awarded a $45,000 grant through the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) to support early learning initiatives and help prepare young students for a successful start to their academic journey.
This funding will support the launch of Kindergarten Kickstart, a statewide initiative led by DCY in partnership with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW). The program is designed to ease the transition into kindergarten for both students and their families while building a strong foundation for future academic and social success.
“Starting kindergarten is a major milestone for children and families,” said Ryan Stowell, PK-2 Principal of Liberty Local Schools. “This opportunity allows us to give our youngest learners the skills, confidence, and familiarity they need to feel successful from day one. When children know what to expect, they thrive.”
The Kindergarten Kickstart program will serve students entering kindergarten in the 2026–2027 school year and will focus on:
Building familiarity with school routines, expectations, and learning environments
Delivering instruction grounded in the Science of Reading and aligned with Ohio’s Early Learning and Development Standards
Engaging families as active partners in the transition to kindergarten
Strengthening children’s social, emotional, and academic readiness
Instruction will emphasize early literacy skills, foundational math concepts, and executive functioning skills such as self-regulation, cooperation, and following routines.
Program Details:
Dates: July 20 – August 13
Time: 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Offerings Include:
Transportation to and from school
Breakfast and snack
Reading and math instruction
Social and emotional learning activities
Important Enrollment Information:
Students must already be enrolled in kindergarten to participate in Kindergarten Kickstart. If your child is not yet enrolled, please call 330-759-1733 to inquire about kindergarten enrollment.
Liberty Local Schools remains committed to supporting students and families by providing high-quality educational opportunities that set the stage for lifelong success.