Second state preschool opens at BSD

Exactly one month after planned, the newest preschool in Burton School District opened its doors on Sept. 21 to 48 students and a waiting list nearly half that long.

Linda Hill, Burton district state preschool program director, said that the new William R. Buckley Elementary classroom was delayed due to licensing issues.

“It takes them longer than it used to,” she said, referring to the Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division, which conducts the licensing process.

Hill said furloughs and budget cuts have affected the speed at which campuses are inspected and applications for new preschools approved.

BSD assistant superintendent Sharon Kamberg said the waiting list reflects a recent increase in parental interest in prekindergarten schooling.

“It really goes to show the need [for preschool] in the area,” she said.

The school is split into two sessions, one morning and one afternoon.

Both classes, which are held in a newly purchased portable classroom, are currently at capacity with 24 students each.

“We filled the class before the license was received,” Kamberg said.

Three instructors are present each day with the 3 to 5 year olds: one teacher, teaching assistant and classroom aide.

Funding for the new preschool comes from an extension grant received in February.

The first state financed class on the BSD campus has been located on the Oak Grove Elementary school campus for about a decade.

There is also currently a wait for that preschool as well.

In addition to the two state preschools, two county preschool classes and special education preschool classes are also available on the BSD campus.

Hill said prior schooling helps kindergarten children adjust more easily to their new environment.

“It prepares them socially, academically, physically. There’s a routine: they’re exposed to stories, music, language, learning, sharing, teamwork and art,” she said.

Hill, who previously taught kindergarten, said children that attend preschool are more prepared when they arrive at kindergarten.

“They’ve been exposed to so [many] enriching activities that they sometimes don’t get at home,” she said.

Kamberg introduced another reason for preschool: the rise in standards testing.

“There are lots of studies out there [showing] that prekindergarten [schooling] is on the rise,” she said.

BSD is looking at that information “because of the rising standard levels,” required of young students, Kamberg said.

Hill compared preschool to kindergarten in years past.

“[Preschool] is kind of like kindergarten used to be. Kindergarten is much more academic now. We’re preparing them earlier and earlier,” she said.

Enrollment at the Buckley preschool is free for low-income families, based on income and the number of people in the family.

Though many students in the Burton preschool classes go on to attend a BSD elementary school for kindergarten, not all are from the district.

Regardless of district, Kamberg said “we’re excited to be able to influence those prekindergarten [students] with skills that will influence them for kindergarten.”

Parents, especially those working or in school themselves, appreciate the opportunity for an early schooling program, Hill said.

“Parents nowadays want their children to have that step ahead,” Hill said.

-- Contact Sarah de Crescenzo at 784-5000, Ext. 1045, or sdecrescenzo@portervillerecorder.com.