Mexican Consulate Helps Triple Number of Spanish-Speaking Children in Utah’s UPSTART Program
Waterford thanks former Consulate for key support of state-wide
school readiness program
SALT LAKE CITY–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Mexican Consulate’s endorsement of UPSTART
helped triple the number of Spanish-speakers in Utah’s state-wide school
readiness program for four-year-olds, according to Waterford
Institute, a nonprofit research center that runs the program.
Isaac Troyo, director of training and outreach for UPSTART, recently
thanked Cónsul Eduardo Arnal Palomera, former Cónsul of the Consulate of
Mexico in Salt Lake City, for his public endorsement.
Arnal, who served in the post from 2013 until March of this year, was
instrumental in spreading awareness of UPSTART among Spanish-speaking
families in Utah, Troyo said. Arnal appeared on Univison and Telemundo
news last year supporting the UPSTART program and asked families to take
full advantage of the resource. He also supported UPSTART radio spots,
and allowed UPSTART representatives to present to families in the
consulate family waiting areas.
Troyo thanked Arnal for his efforts during a recent visit.
“Your advocacy is helping hundreds of children throughout the state get
a strong start in school and set them on a path to a successful academic
career,” Troyo said. “We value your relationship and we thank you for
supporting early education throughout Utah.”
Arnal pledged to continue supporting UPSTART, saying, “Let’s do even
more next year!”
Troyo said new projects are in the works with Arnal’s replacement, the
current Cónsul of the Consulate of Mexico in Salt Lake City, Luis
Enrique Franco.
UPSTART is an in-home, technology-delivered program that includes over
7,000 engaging educational activities in reading, math and science.
Waterford Institute is the maker of Waterford Early Learning, which is
the curriculum for UPSTART.
Participants use UPSTART for 15 minutes per day, five days per week. The
adaptive program teaches essential early literacy skills at the pace and
level of each individual child to prepare children for kindergarten.
UPSTART is open to everyone, but prioritizes English language learners
(ELL) as well as low–income families.
Last year, approximately 58 percent of participating families were
low-income. Qualifying families receive use of a free computer and free
Internet during the program if they do not have access to these
resources at home.
Families can pre-register now for UPSTART at www.utahupstart.org
or by phone at 800-669-4533.
About Waterford Institute
Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the Waterford Institute is a nonprofit
research center that creates personalized cloud-based instruction
through award-winning curriculum, content and assessment for children
aged pre-K to 2nd grade. As a nonprofit, Waterford is uniquely focused
on providing accessibility, equity and excellence for our youngest
learners to position them for a lifetime of learning and success. For
more information, visit www.waterford.org
or call 801-349-2200.
Contacts
SnappConner PR
Ansel Oliver, 801-806-0170
ansel@snappconner.com
