WHATELY — Good news for parents of young children: Starting next school year, Union 38 elementary schools will provide full-day preschool.
“We are moving to a full-day model with special after-school care for our youngest students,” Superintendent Lynn Carey wrote in a recent email. “It is very high quality and it has indicated to us that the state is interested in using it as a model for other districts.”
Right now, three out of the district’s four elementary schools offer half-day care. Deerfield Elementary School is the exception, providing full-day care through a program that started a few years ago.
Starting in September, all of the district’s schools will provide preschool Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., with extended care options after school till 5:30 p.m.
At Whately Elementary School Wednesday morning, about 15 young preschool students sat in a circle singing made-up songs. A short while later, a few teachers led them through an energetic yoga practice.
“We’re really responding to community needs,” said district Early Childhood Coordinator Kimberly McCarthy about the Whately school’s preschool expansion.
Come September, the school will have openings for one class of around 15 preschoolers. Elsewhere and in addition to the program’s extended care hours, Sunderland Elementary School will expand its program to two full-day classes, Deerfield Elementary School will have three, and the Conway Grammar School will have one.
“Our goal is to provide exceptional preschool experiences to nurture, educate and socialize young children in our community,” the district said in a press statement, noting that the programs will feature “strong family engagement … ongoing professional development,” and “access to specialists to support children with delays.”
“We want to catch them early,” McCarthy said about the role of preschool to help improve educational opportunities for students with special needs. “Early intervention can change a life in a significant way. And within that, we can offer a place where we love their kids. Parents who’re working all day can know their kids are safe.”
The program will aim to “support the emotional-social well-being of our students,” and include support from specialists such as a speech pathologist, occupational or physical therapist, according to the district.
Those interested in finding out more, including how to sign up for the expanded program, may call 413-665-1155 and ask for McCarthy or the district’s Early Childhood Assistant Rhonda Lutenegger or email rhonda.lutenegger@frsu38.org.
You can reach Andy Castillo
at: acastillo@recorder.com