School district shows off new Irving Preschool
By Travis Coleman Journal Staff Writer | Posted: Thursday, November 29, 2007
Preschoolers Selena Jacobson, left, and Arik Sherill play with a sand table in a preschool classroom at Irving Elementary School Preschool Annex in Sioux City Wednesday. (Staff photo by Tim Hynds)
SIOUX CITY -- Residents got a peek Wednesday into Irving Preschool, where newly renovated classrooms offer early education for children at or below the federal poverty level.
And, a whimsical Superintendent Larry Williams sang, "This could be the start of something big."
Parents, school administrators and local lawmakers toured the preschool Wednesday after a 10 a.m. ribbon cutting.
The Sioux City Community School District bought the building from St. Joseph Catholic Church last December. It has seven classrooms, with plans to add another one next school year. The district has also remodeled rooms for preschool at Riverside Elementary School. The new Leeds and Unity elementary schools, due to open next fall, will have three preschool classrooms each.
The renovations came after Iowa lawmakers approved legislation last spring that funds voluntary preschool. Sioux City schools received a one-year grant of more than $500,000. Next school year, the programs will be funded by the state based on how many students enroll in the program this year.
The Sioux City school district was one of 52 Iowa school districts to get state funds for preschool programs.
The Irving classrooms are separated into those for Head Start, Preschool Initiative and Shared Visions students, according to Community Action of Siouxland.
The Head Start rooms serve 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds from families at or below 100 percent of the poverty level. Shared Visions serves 4-year-olds from families at or below 130 percent of poverty level, and the Preschool Initiative classrooms serve 4-year-olds from families at or below 200 percent of poverty level.
Preschool is important for children because it gives everyone the same starting point, said Beth Nelson, preschool classroom aide.
"It gives them a good foundation, academically as well as socially," Nelson said.
Achievement gaps can be reduced when children have more learning opportunities, Williams said.
Those who attend preschool are less likely to drop out and more likely to be successful in work, the district reported. The likelihood that they will abuse drugs or alcohol also decreases.
And, a whimsical Superintendent Larry Williams sang, "This could be the start of something big."
Parents, school administrators and local lawmakers toured the preschool Wednesday after a 10 a.m. ribbon cutting.
The Sioux City Community School District bought the building from St. Joseph Catholic Church last December. It has seven classrooms, with plans to add another one next school year. The district has also remodeled rooms for preschool at Riverside Elementary School. The new Leeds and Unity elementary schools, due to open next fall, will have three preschool classrooms each.
The renovations came after Iowa lawmakers approved legislation last spring that funds voluntary preschool. Sioux City schools received a one-year grant of more than $500,000. Next school year, the programs will be funded by the state based on how many students enroll in the program this year.
The Sioux City school district was one of 52 Iowa school districts to get state funds for preschool programs.
The Irving classrooms are separated into those for Head Start, Preschool Initiative and Shared Visions students, according to Community Action of Siouxland.
The Head Start rooms serve 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds from families at or below 100 percent of the poverty level. Shared Visions serves 4-year-olds from families at or below 130 percent of poverty level, and the Preschool Initiative classrooms serve 4-year-olds from families at or below 200 percent of poverty level.
Preschool is important for children because it gives everyone the same starting point, said Beth Nelson, preschool classroom aide.
"It gives them a good foundation, academically as well as socially," Nelson said.
Achievement gaps can be reduced when children have more learning opportunities, Williams said.
Those who attend preschool are less likely to drop out and more likely to be successful in work, the district reported. The likelihood that they will abuse drugs or alcohol also decreases.
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Juan wrote on Dec 2, 2007 3:42 AM:
Missy wrote on Nov 29, 2007 8:08 PM:
Why not my kid?? wrote on Nov 29, 2007 8:24 AM:
happy & sad wrote on Nov 29, 2007 8:06 AM: