Douglas County West Elementary School in Valley is partnering with the Buffett Early Childhood Institute to bring the “School as Hub” program to local families. The initiative is designed to involve parents from a child’s earliest years, helping them become active participants in reading development.
Program focus on families
Dawn Marten, director of learning for Douglas County West Community Schools, explained that the program emphasizes engagement “from the earliest stages of a child’s life,” tracking progress from picture identification to letter and word recognition. By involving parents early, the school hopes to lay a strong foundation for lifelong literacy.
Parents see real change
When Silvia Mildreth Vazquez moved from downtown Omaha to Waterloo, the first thing she looked for was a school for her sons, Noah and Ian. Both boys are now enrolled at Douglas County West Elementary—Noah in Pre‑K and Ian in first grade—where they are learning to read through the “School as Hub” curriculum.
Vazquez recalled that her children were initially shy. “I was afraid to even leave the parking lot because I thought they would be crying,” she said. “No, he was this different little guy.” The confidence gained from reading has transformed their school experience.
“It’s impressive how he is reading a chapter and we are having a conversation about it,” Vazquez added. “He is sharing the ideas and what he understood about the book.” The program also gives families the chance to read alongside their children, reinforcing the habit of shared learning at home.
Challenges and next steps
While the reading gains are clear, Vazquez noted a new hurdle: technology. “The interest they put on a tablet is on video games, not to read something,” she said, highlighting the need for balanced screen time.
Amy Schmidtke, director of educational practice for the Buffett Early Childhood Institute, echoed the importance of family involvement. “Families and the community are central to children’s learning beginning at birth,” she said.
Vazquez expressed gratitude for the program, calling it “the best thing that could have ever happened to us” and saying she feels blessed for the support her family has received.
Community impact
By linking school resources with home environments, the “School as Hub” model aims to strengthen the whole community. When parents read with their children, they not only boost literacy but also reinforce family bonds and shared values.
Local educators hope the program will continue to expand, offering more families the tools they need to nurture early reading skills and set children on a path to academic success.
Original reporting: KMTV 3 News Now (Scripps) – local — read the source article.
