Union County, NC
More than 550 Union County, NC 4-year-old children had a small taste of what school is like when they were screened last week for pre-kindergarten classes.
Some children could hardly contain their excitement; others didn’t want to let go of their parent’s hand. Some sat quietly waiting their turn while others were bouncing up and down in delight at the thought of attending “real” school.
Four-year-old Connor Bradley counts out blocks for teacher Jason Hart during pre-kindergarten screening.
The screenings are the second step in registration for classes held in both Union County Public Schools and four- and five-star child care centers. Parents submitted applications earlier in the year, and this week’s screenings checked the children’s basic knowledge and coordination skills. For example, children were asked to identify colors, geometric shapes, body parts and images of such things as ducks, scissors and leaves. Then each child, who was screened one-on-one by a pre-kindergarten teacher, demonstrated his ability to hop on one foot and hold his balance on one foot.
“Each year, the demand for pre-kindergarten increases,”
said Trinisha Dean, pre-kindergarten coordinator at Union Smart Start. In March, 568 children were registered for 2009-2010 classes. Currently, the county has 554 openings for More at Four students, including students in Union County Public Schools-administered programs – Title I, Exceptional Children and Head Start (Union County Community Action) classes.
Children whose screenings indicate the greatest need will be given the highest priority in admittance to the classes, Dean said. Pre-kindergarten classes are designed to prepare children to be successful kindergarteners the following year. Emphasis is placed on literacy, numbers, math, fine and gross motor development and problem solving.
“Studies continue to show that students in high quality pre-kindergarten classes are more likely to succeed in grades K-12,” Dean said. In addition, adults who received high-quality early education are more likely to graduate from high school, outperform on literacy tests as young adults, be employed at age 40, have higher income, own their homes and have fewer arrests.
Pre-kindergarten classes follow the Union County Public Schools calendar, with some programs operating on a year-round schedule and others on the traditional schedule, depending on location. Classes are small, and each lead teacher has a college degree with birth-kindergarten licensure.
Parents will learn about their child’s status in the program later this month.
Copyright 2009 monroescoop.com Union County, NC
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