Helping kids get ready for kindergarten

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- A student's pathway to success starts the day they enter school as a kindergartner.

On Saturday, more than 100 volunteers knocked on doors in New Haven to share that message and stir up excitement about starting school.

Soon-to-be kindergartner Jacey Cummings can't wait to start school.

"My school is Beecher," said Cummings, "I like to read a lot of books when I go to the library, and on the computer, and when I do homework."

Jacey and her mother want all other families who have kids entering kindergarten to take part in their mission…

"I've always been taught that it starts at home," said Tawana Grant, a parent. "When they go to school, they take it a little bit further."

It's called the "ART of School Success." ART, meaning attend, read and talk.

What better way to reach parents than to go door-to-door.

The big group knocked on doors explaining the importance of attending school every day, reading together for 20 minutes every day, and talking to your kids everyday.

They dropped off bags with tools to get kids ready to read and be prepared for the school year.

"My mother was always active, so I wanted to be active and it pays off," said Grant.

This first New Haven citywide Kindergarten Canvass was put together by the city, the public schools and United Way.

Educators were thrilled to volunteer their time.

"We're in a busy world and I think a lot of times we don't spend the time that we need to spend with the children working on homework, reading again with them every single day," said Nadine Gannon, Principal of King Robinson Magnet School.

Gannon hopes other families will follow Jacey's mom's lead and connect with teachers and principals.

"I ride the school bus. I want parents to know that it's not an intimidation to come into our school," said Gannon. "We will come and see them. They can come and see us. It's a family and we need to work together to make their child successful."