THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, June 13, 1996 TAG: 9606130364
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ELIZABETH SIMPSON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 102 lines
The graduation send-off included all the usual trimmings: Speeches. Diplomas. Mortarboards with tassels.
Only in this case, the graduates got Jell-O Jigglers at the end and still got home in time for afternoon naps.
These students aren't graduating to college, but to an institution that's just as critical: kindergarten.
And they are ready. From their ABCs, to their colors, to their names, phone numbers and addresses.
``I learned the Pledge of Allegiance,'' 4-year-old Deja Harris announced after the ceremony. ``And my ABCs.''
Wednesday's graduates of an Early Discoveries preschool class in Virginia Beach are part of the first wave of students to complete a new statewide preschool program.
The preschool is for children from families who make too much money to qualify for Head Start - a federally funded preschool for low-income families - but who still qualify for the free-lunch program.
Most of the 4- and 5-year-olds are also at higher risk of school failure because of a variety of factors, such as having an unemployed parent, suffering from a chronic illness, being homeless, or having a parent in prison.
The year of preschool gives the children a leg up, so when fall arrives, they'll be primed to learn and ready to roll.
The children demonstrated some of their skills at Wednesday's ceremony at Seatack Elementary School: Singing songs. Following instructions. Sitting still for presentations. And, in the words of Seatack's vice principal, Arthur McDonough: ``Listening to a boring speech by me.''
The General Assembly put up $10.3 million last year as incentive money for any city willing to put up matching funds to start such a preschool. Sixty-five cities raised their hands for the 1995-96 school year, including Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Suffolk and Portsmouth. Chesapeake declined because of a lack of classroom space.
More than 2,500 children across the state will graduate from the program this month, nearly 800 right here in South Hampton Roads.
Catherine Sumner, whose daughter graduated in Virginia Beach Wednesday, said 5-year-old Stacey started the school year with a delay in her speech because of hearing loss she had as a baby.
``Now there's no sign of a speech delay, and they say she's ahead a little,'' Sumner said. ``I'm really proud. I wrote letters to all the teachers' bosses.''
Equally pleased with the preschool effort was the General Assembly, which increased the incentive money to $18.3 million for the coming school year, to serve 6,000 Virginia children.
``If we can give children a solid, comprehensive, holistic approach to education in the early years, they are much more likely to be successful in school,'' said Cheryl Strobel, early-childhood development specialist for the Virginia Board of Education.
Norfolk, the city that taught the largest number of preschool children in South Hampton Roads last year, at 304, will increase its enrollment to 789 in the coming school year. Suffolk will increase from 80 children to 170 next year. Portsmouth is going from 128 students to 272. And Virginia Beach will maintain its funding but increase its numbers by 11 students to 288. Chesapeake again elected not to participate.
In most localities, school districts run the preschools. In Virginia Beach, the YMCA of South Hampton Roads and the school district ran the program together.
The demand for the free, all-day preschool has more than filled the openings. Linda Lloyd-Zannini, director of children's services for the YMCA, said the program already has received 500 applications for next year's class. ``Last year, if they had any kind of risk factor they got in,'' Lloyd-Zannini said. ``Next year it will only be the children with the most risk factors.''
The preschool not only teaches children basic learning skills, it also shows parents how to get involved in their children's education by reading to the children and taking them on field trips.
A dozen children in the preschool sat cross-legged Wednesday while teacher Victoria Nichols peppered them with questions.
``What city do you live in?'' she asked.
``Virginia Beach,'' said Tiffany Milton, standing straight and tall before her class.
``What state?''
``Virginia,'' she said.
``What continent?''
``North America.''
``Planet?''
``Earth,'' she said.
``You are too good,'' said Larry Ames, family-involvement specialist for the YMCA. ``And you are ready for kindergarten. No doubt about it.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by D. KEVIN ELLIOTT/The Virginian-Pilot
Stacey Sumner, 5, got a diploma and a handshake Wednesday from
Rachel Johnson, a teacher in Virginia Beach's Early Discoveries
preschool program. Stacey started the school year with a delay in
her speech due to hearing loss. Now there's no sign of a delay, says
her mom, Catherine.
Color photo by D. KEVIN ELLIOTT\The Virginian-Pilot
Tassels can be a nuisance, as 4-year-old Trevon Galloway learned
Wednesday during ``graduation'' ceremonies for Virginia Beach's
Early Discoveries preschool. More than 2,500 children across the
state will complete similar programs this month, nearly 800 in South
Hampton Roads. And 6,000 more are expected to be enrolled statewide
for the 1996-97 school year.
KEYWORDS: PRESCHOOL PROGRAM by CNB