Something new will be added to Johnston’s Graniteville School for the 2016-17 academic year.
Beginning in the fall, Graniteville will have one pre-school classroom that will be a full-day program. It will be funded by a $173,000 grant.
Rhode Island, meanwhile, will add a total of 12 new sites this fall to the Rhode Island Pre-Kindergarten Program thanks to the federal preschool expansion grant the state received from the U.S. Department of Education.
“This is great news for the pre-school program in the town of Johnston,” said Maria Petronio-McAfee, the principal at Graniteville. “Now, children will have access to our high-quality, full-day program, free of charge.”
Gov. Gina Raimondo, whose budget also included funding for the program, added: “We are continuing to create opportunities for all Rhode Islanders, including maintaining our commitment to high-quality earlier learning programs for our youngest learners.”
Dr. Bernard DiLullo, superintendent of Johnston Public Schools, is also excited that Graniteville will now have a full-day pre-kindergarten class.
“The Graniteville pre-school program serves students with special needs and peer models between the ages of three and five years old,” he said. “Our program is staffed by highly qualified teachers who are specially trained in early childhood education. While the program is a half-day program, we will have one pre-school classroom that will offer students a full-day learning experience.”
DiLullo then noted that “students may apply for the all-day pre-school class and will be chosen by a lottery.”
He also added: “The staff is highly committed to their educational mission for these young students. There is excitement for learning and students are fully engaged in the classroom activities. If a parent is interested in having their child considered for the program, they should contact the Graniteville School. It’s a great opportunity for a child to experience school before they enter kindergarten.”
Daniel P. McConaghy, chair of the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education, said: “As we continue expanding pre-kindergarten options in our state, it’s equally important that we focus on program quality. Gov. Raimondo’s budget includes funds to support program quality while expanding options for families. These investments will pay huge dividends as more and more Rhode Island children will develop, at an early age, the skills they will need for school success.”
Dr. Ken Wagner, Rhode Island’s commissioner of education who visited Johnston schools several week ago, added: “We know that it’s never too early to start a child’s education and our continued investments in the Rhode Island Pre-Kindergarten Program will give hundreds of families a jump start on learning for their children.”
Wagner added: “We hope that many Johnston parents and guardians will take advantage of this opportunity to apply for a spot for their children in this high-quality program.”
He explained that the Department of Education will be overseeing the program and space will be available for 18 children to participate in the classroom at Graniteville School. To be eligible, children must by four years old by Sept. 1 and must be residents of the town of Johnston.
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