Primary Project Proud: Elba Central School District Shines with Early Wins!
The Elba Central School District in Elba, New York has every reason to be proud of their Primary Project program! In the fall of 2025, the district launched Primary Project after they were awarded funding through a competitive three‑year grant administered by Children’s Institute and supported by NYSED. Elba’s program serves students in Pre‑K through 2nd grade and is led by a dedicated team including school principal Jessica Cramer, mental health supervisor Carley Fairchild, and child associate Shauna Marsceill.
Even though the school is early in their implementation journey, they are already seeing incredible progress. Using the Teacher–Child Rating Scale 3.1 (T‑CRS 3.1), the team proactively identifies student needs and tracks social‑emotional growth over time. The district’s data showed that participating Primary Project students demonstrated a:
30% improvement in assertive social skills
14% improvement in social awareness
20% improvement in internalized behaviors
These improvements reflect meaningful growth in confidence, emotional expression, and interactions with peers, which are foundational skills for long‑term academic success.
One first‑grade teacher shared a powerful story about a student who made notable progress:
“At the start, one student who was identified for Primary Project was often nervous and hesitant to engage. With consistent support, he gradually gained confidence and began to feel more comfortable in the school environment. Over time, he has come out of his shell—participating more, expressing himself, and forming positive connections with others. His progress highlights the powerful impact of Primary Project.”
Stories like this, combined with strong early data, highlight the transformational effect of Primary Project on young learners. With continued dedication and collaborative support, Elba Central School District is helping students build the social‑emotional foundation they need for lifelong success.
Primary Project is a tier two prevention program to help children in pre-K to 3rd grade adjust to the school community using a child-centered play approach.
