Pre-K is an educational growth opportunity for children and families to participate as a transition into Kindergarten. Students who attend Pre-K are more prepared socially, emotionally, academically and physically as they enter Kindergarten. Many times, they are further ahead of those students who have not attended. Pre-K impacts students for life.
Luckily, here in Union County, there is a prominent Pre-K program offered to children across the county, with one class located at each of the five elementary schools. Any child who turns four years old by August 15, 2020, regardless of income, is eligible to apply for attendance. First, each child is placed in a database based upon eligibility on the state income ranking guidelines.
Applicants are chosen based on the state income guidelines and then those closest to eligibility. To begin the application process for your child, simply call the elementary school in your district. Leave your name and number and a teacher will get in touch with you as soon as the new state income guides are available. The teacher then sets up an appointment date with each parent to fill out all of the necessary paperwork. Each school keeps an ongoing roster of those interested, so it is good to call at any time throughout the schoolyear.
Twenty Pre-K spots are fulfilled at each school, totaling only one hundred students countywide. Pre-K is a no-cost program provided to the eligible students. The same attendance guidelines are followed in this program as all others schools in the county. The Union County Public Schools calendar is fully aligned for the Pre-K attendees on a five-day-a-week, 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. program schedule.
Students are provided services based on need, such as special education, speech and any other programs that the schools typically offer. Transportation is provided, but to and from the home school only. And, of course, the students are placed at those home schools first, unless they have already been filled with students of more eligible income guidelines. Sometimes students are placed at a different school in the county if there are still slots available, and parents would be willing to transport.
A curriculum called “Big Day for Pre-K” is taught across the county. It is one of three choices offered by the state that was chosen by Union County. There is an assessment that coincides with the curriculum where information on child development is gathered.
Pre-K teachers include: Amy Kopp at Big Ridge Elementary, Stephanie Davis at Luttrell Elementary, Katie Cook at Maynardville Elementary, Christy Cox at Paulette Elementary and Erica Berry at Sharps Chapel Elementary. Every site also has assistants in the classroom. Assistants are: Stephany McCoy at BRES, Danielle May at LES, Jerica Lay at MES, Phyliss Tharpe at PES, and Kristi Brantley at SCES.
Much of what is planned for the Pre-K program is dictated by state rules and guidelines. Pre-K Supervisor Roger Flatford shares, “I have always been an advocate that every child should attend Pre-K. I would love to see the state fund Pre-K for all—it is a wonderful program.”
Again, if you are interested in getting a child signed up, contact your nearest elementary school.