News Summary
Schalmont Central School District has announced the reopening of Woestina Elementary School, which has been closed for 15 years. A new Pre-K program will start in the 2025 school year, offering local families much-needed early childhood education. The school held an open house for the community, showcasing renovations and celebrating the emotional significance of the reopening. With plans for 54 students across three classrooms, the program aims to provide before and after-school care, free meals, and enhanced educational resources for young learners.
Schalmont Central School District has announced the reopening of Woestina Elementary School for the first time in 15 years, with a planned launch of a new Pre-K program set to begin in the 2025 school year. The school, which was closed at the beginning of the 2010-2011 academic year due to declining enrollment, will now serve local families seeking early childhood education options.
An open house held on August 18 provided community members a first look at the renovations made to the building, prior to welcoming students back on September 10. Pre-K Teacher Erika Quick highlighted the emotional weight of reopening the school, as she experienced both its closure and now its return as a functional educational environment.
The district’s decision to reopen Woestina Elementary aligns with ongoing efforts to improve local educational resources, particularly for families in need of Pre-K programs. Parents who attended the open house expressed appreciation for the new options, noting previous challenges in finding accessible local Pre-K services.
The Pre-K program at Woestina Elementary is set to accommodate a total of 54 students across three classrooms, with potential plans to expand to six classrooms in the future. In addition to the academic program, the school will offer before and after school care, with before care beginning at 7:30 AM and after care available until 5:30 PM. Students in the program will receive free breakfast and lunch as part of the district’s commitment to supporting families.
Superintendent Tom Reardon emphasized that the district has conducted careful planning for the reopening and sustainability of the Pre-K program, assuring the community that Woestina Elementary is “here to stay,” despite potential federal funding cuts. The school has undergone necessary maintenance and preparations for operations following the pandemic, particularly since a previous lease with Capital Region BOCES expired in 2020.
While the school does not plan to provide transportation for Pre-K students due to logistical challenges related to state law requirements and car seats, the program is expected to operate Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 2 PM. Already, more than 40 families have expressed interest in enrolling their children, with applications open until April 11. If the number of applicants exceeds the available spots, a lottery system will be implemented to fairly assign places.
To qualify for enrollment, children must be 4 years old by December 1 and reside within the Schalmont Central School District. The state is set to provide $5,400 in aid per student, totaling approximately $291,600 for the entire Pre-K program. Additional funding will come from the district’s budget specifically allocated for educational initiatives.
The reopening of Woestina Elementary is expected to foster enhanced community engagement and increase opportunities for after-school programming, alongside new academic offerings that cater to early learners. As the school prepares to welcome its youngest students back into the classroom, the Schalmont Central School District looks forward to strengthening its educational foundation and offering families valuable resources in early childhood education.
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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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