--two schools still accepting children

All three elementary schools in Macon County saw a huge change this school year when all were granted approval for pre-k programs.

Debbie Prock, who has since retired from the Board of Education where she was the supervisor of instruction, applied for the programs more than two years ago. Her determination and hard work paid off when last summer the school system received word that Westside and Red Boiling Springs would receive funds to implement the program.

The grants are awarded to schools based on need and other requirements and Westside and Red Boiling Springs qualified.

When more money became available from the state, Fairlane became the third school to open it's doors for those children who are eligible.

At this time, Westside is the only school that has the maximum number of students on their roll. Fairlane and RBS only have 12 seats filled out of the 20 they are allowed. They both are still offering open enrollment.

A child can enroll in pre-k classes anytime during the school year. Children who turn 4-years-old by September of that year are eligible.

Shawn Carter, Board of Education Supervisor of Instruction, hopes that by the end of this school year all three programs will be filled to capacity.

The school day begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m. This is so parents or guardians can drop off and pick up pre-k students before the traffic becomes heavy students who attend school from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Breakfast, lunch and snacks are served.

A guideline that Carter feels may be hindering enrollment is that the school system does not provide transportation. Parents must provide the transportation.

Pre-k provides students the opportunity to be is a setting where they can socially interact with other students their own age, said Carter.

“The pre-k program is not a replacement for kindergarten,” said Carter. “This is something that we want parents to understand. Each program is staffed with a certified pre-k teacher and a full time teacher assistant. The pre-k programs are something that we are proud of and excited about and we just want parents to have a better understanding of what they are and what their children can gain by attending.”

Scarlett Hudson, the teacher at RBS, has been teaching first grade at the school for 13 years. She taught for two years at Westside and a 3rd grade class at RBS.

“Pre-K teaches social skills that are introduced through play,” said Hudson. “Children work at their own pace and learn certain skills that will give them a little head start for kindergarten. Some parents may believe that their child will get burnt out by attending pre-k at the age of 4, but don't be worried. This is a positive start for children.”

All three schools participate in the state approved curriculum, DML Express, and students are also provided the opportunity for speech language skills outside the classroom.

Latisha Wright, a former Headstart teacher, is the teacher assistant at Red Boiling Springs.

Evette Morgan is the teacher at Fairlane. Her assistant is Stacy Kemp.

“The curriculum we chose covers a theme each week,” said Morgan. “We try to incorporate a letter, color, shape and number to go with the theme. We eat lunch in the cafeteria and take a nap in the afternoon. If any parent has any concerns they can always call me or go to my website at http://TeacherWeb.com/TN/FairlaneElementarySchool/MsEvette. I love the children. I love what I am doing and I really enjoy it. I try to do as much as I can to prepare the children for kindergarten.”

Morgan has been a kindergarten teacher for 6 years, one year at Fairlane and five years at Red Boiling Springs.

“I think they are an asset to the county,” said Fairlane Principal Linda Smith. “I am glad they are here and the teachers are doing wonderful work. Children absorb an enormous amount of information the first five years of their life and this is a great way to start their education.”

Sherry Gammons began her teaching career as a special education teacher at Central Elementary School and now is the pre-k teacher at Westside. The Westside program is full with 20 students on the roll.

“We work on social skills, taking turns and getting along with others,” said Gammons.

“We teach the eight basic domains,” said teacher assistant, Cammie West, “Language, literacy, math skills, self-help skills, social and emotional skills, gross motor skills, fine motor skills and cognitive development.”

“We try to be a part of the school attending assemblies in the gym and many other activities,” said Gammons.

One of the great things about the pre-k program, believes Carter, is that students become acclimated to the school where they will hopefully attend kindergarten. They learn the hallways, teachers, and others hopefully making the adjustment from pre-k to kindergarten an easier transition.

For more information or to enroll your child for the 2007-2008 school year you can contact Shawn Carter at the board of education at 666-2125.