Lyndonville Central School District's newly expanded Pre-Kindergarten program officially opened at its Main Street campus on February 10.
Through a grant received from the NYS Department of Education, the district was able to expand the hours of its current program for four-year-olds and initiate a new program for three-year-olds. Students engage in singing, art projects, dramatic and constructive play and early literacy and math learning. They are developing important skills including sharing and following routines, interacting with peers, controlling emotions and engaging in meaningful relationships with peers and adults. Breakfast and lunch are served within the classrooms, and students have rest-time each day.
To accommodate this expansion, the Pre-K program was moved to the former elementary school. The district partnered with the YMCA to staff and run the three-year-old program. As part of this partnership, the YMCA leases the space from the district, which helps off-set the general operating expenses.
The district currently has two four-year-old classrooms and one three-year-old classroom. Each class is set-up for a day of educational fun. An age-appropriate gymnasium with play equipment was created, and a large library was set up on the second floor.
“The students are enjoying their time at school,” stated Dr. Elissa Smith, LCSD Elementary Principal. “We transitioned slowly, allowing all current Pre-K students to meet and interact with new staff in the new space prior to adjusting to a full-day. This allowed students to become comfortable in the new space, prior to making other changes. The transition was very smooth, thanks to all of the pre-planning and help from our staff.”
Smith explained that the benefits of an expanded Pre-K program for the community are both immediate and long term. Children have access to social-emotional skill building and early literacy and math skills in an interactive play-based learning environment that supports early learning standards. It helps families through providing safe and appropriate full-day programming for their children.
“All of us involved in the expanded Pre-K program look forward to following these children as they grow to see the future social and academic implications for primary and elementary grades and beyond,” said Dr. Smith.
The district currently has two four-year old spaces available for this school year and is accepting applications the 2020-21 school year for children who will be 3 or 4 by December 1, 2020. Pre-registration forms are due by April 1, 2020. A lottery will be held if requests received by April 1 exceed capacity.
Additional information, including registration, can be found on the district’s website or by contacting the Elementary Office at 585-765-3122.