News Summary
The Schalmont Central School District is reopening Woestina Elementary School for the first time in 15 years to offer a new Pre-K program. Starting with the upcoming school year, the initiative aims to provide accessible preschool options to local families. With recent renovations, the school will feature three classrooms for 54 students, along with before and after school programs. Enrollment will be open until April 11, and the district is committed to supporting early childhood education despite potential future challenges.
Schenectady, NY – The Schalmont Central School District is set to reopen Woestina Elementary School for the first time in 15 years, marking a significant development in the community’s educational landscape. The school will begin hosting a new Pre-K program starting with the 2025 school year, a move aimed at providing local families with accessible preschool options.
Woestina Elementary was originally closed at the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year due to declining enrollment. Since then, the facility has remained unused until recent renovations brought it back to life for educational purposes. An open house was held on August 18 to showcase these renovations and give parents a glimpse of the school before students return on September 10.
The reopening of Woestina Elementary as a Pre-K facility is a response to the growing need for early childhood education options within the Schalmont Central School District. Pre-K Teacher Erika Quick highlighted the emotional significance of the school’s reopening, having experienced its closure years prior. The initiative is a testament to the district’s commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for young children.
In total, the school will feature three classrooms designed to accommodate 54 Pre-K students, with plans to expand to six classrooms in the future due to anticipated demand. The district has emphasized that the Pre-K program will run Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 2 PM, providing structured and engaging learning environments for children.
To better support families’ needs, before and after school programs will be offered, with before care starting at 7:30 AM and after care available until 5:30 PM. In addition, meals provided for students will include free breakfast and lunch, ensuring they receive nutritional support during their time at school. Over 40 families have already expressed interest in enrolling their children, making the implementation of this program essential for community members.
Enrollment for the Pre-K program will be open until April 11, and children must turn 4 years old by December 1 and reside within the district to qualify. In the event that applications exceed the available spots, a lottery system will be employed to fairly determine which students will be granted admission.
Financially, the Pre-K program will benefit from state aid of $5,400 per student, totaling approximately $291,600 for the overall program budget. The Schalmont Central School District has also allocated funds from its budget specifically set aside for such educational initiatives, displaying a proactive approach to early childhood education.
Superintendent Tom Reardon indicated that the district has carefully strategized the reopening to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Pre-K program amidst challenges such as potential federal funding cuts. He affirmed that, despite these potential financial obstacles, Woestina Elementary is “here to stay,” highlighting the administration’s confidence in the school’s longevity.
The reopening of Woestina Elementary follows a lease with Capital Region BOCES that expired in 2020 and comes after necessary maintenance and preparations for post-COVID operations. Notably, the district has decided not to provide transportation for Pre-K students, citing complications related to car seat logistics and compliance with state law requirements.
Overall, the reopening of Woestina Elementary is expected to enhance community engagement and enrich after-school programming opportunities in addition to the academic offerings for children. The district views this as an opportunity to foster educational growth and support families within the community.
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Additional Resources
- News10: Woestina School Reopening
- Wikipedia: Pre-kindergarten
- CBS6: Schalmont Central School District Reopens Woestina Elementary
- Google Search: Early Childhood Education
- Daily Gazette: Schalmont Rotterdam Pre-K
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Pre-kindergarten
- Times Union: COVID-19 Case on Mohonasen’s First Day
- Google News: School Reopening
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