CHESTERTOWN — Nearly two dozen 3-year-olds had their first day in the classroom this month thanks to Kent County Public Schools’ expansion of its prekindergarten program.
The school system has long offered universal all-day pre-K for 4-year-olds.
This fall, a Pre-K Expansion Grant from the state opened the door for 3-year-olds to join the program.
Among those greeting students on their first day Monday, Sept. 15 were Superintendent Mary McComas, Director of Teaching and Learning Gina Jachimowicz and Director of Special Education Wendy Keen.
Tom Porter, supervisor for accountability and Career and Technical Education for Kent County Public Schools, was instrumental in securing grant funding for the new program.
“We are excited to leverage this opportunity to provide early enrichment for families in our community,” Porter said in a news release. “The expansion of pre-K is a critical part of our commitment to elevating student achievement through early childhood education,” he said.
Currently, the 3-year-old pre-K program is being offered through H.H. Garnet Elementary School in Chestertown.
The 20 available seats filled up quickly when registration opened this summer.
Due to the space limitations at Garnet, Kent County Public Schools partnered with the Presbyterian Church of Chestertown to host 3-year-olds for the first few years.
The pre-K classes for 4-year-olds continue to be at the Garnet building.
Kent County Public Schools hopes to add 3-year-old programs at Galena and Rock Hall elementary schools in the future, according to the news releasee.
