Paula Margraf, with Community Services for Children, presented an update to the school board members on the Pennsylvania pre-kindergarten counts preschool program held at Harry S Truman Elementary School.

The presentation was made at the curriculum and technology committee meeting April 14.

The preschool program began with the start of the school year in September 2013.

While this is not a Salisbury School District program, Head Start classes were welcomed at the school by Principal Barbara Samide.

In an interview with The Press in August, 2013, Samide said "she was delighted to have the program at HST.

"They will be part of a program that will better prepare them for when they enter kindergarten as school district students. The program also allows them to acclimate to the school, the staff and the teachers. It's a wonderful opportunity for all of us," Samide said.

The program is administered by Community Services for Children of the Lehigh Valley.

Sixteen children are currently enrolled in the program; 19 children began the program.

Margraf declared the program a success by providing mid-year statistics on proficiency in personal and social development, language and literacy, mathematical thinking, scientific thinking, social studies, the arts, physical development and health and approaches to learning.

In September, the children were 24 percent proficient in language and literacy; in March, the children increased to 82 percent proficient.

In mathematical thinking, the children were 12 percent proficient in September; in March, the children increased to 59 percent proficient.

In scientific thinking, the children were 0 percent proficient in September; increasing to 76 percent proficient in March.

Showing 24 percent proficiency in September in social studies, the children's proficiency increased to 82 percent when tested in March.

Other encouraging data for the district shows 91 percent of the students tested in March show awareness of what it means to be a leader. In first grade, the students will be involved with "The Leader in Me" program

Seventy-five percent of parents report reading to their child at least four times a week. All families have received six books to promote literacy in the home and will receive another two books through the end of the year. Reading in the home is promoted and 100 percent of Salisbury families are participating in this program.