Director of Pupil Services Kurt Garivaltis visits the preschoolers in their new playground in the Gateway courtyard. (Photo submitted)
HUNTINGTON – Gateway Regional Superintendent Dr. David B. Hopson announced Thursday that the high school has received their initial Section A approval for a Chapter 74 Early Childhood and Care vocational program for Gateway high school students from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Hopson said the Section A approval means that the school has met the initial criteria for the certified vocational program. They will now move on to file the Section B application, which Hopson said involves a more intensive look at facilities and curriculum. Gateway currently offers a Chapter 74 program in Welding at the high school.
The move to establish the new vocational program also coincides with the opening of all-day Preschool at Gateway last fall.
Like most schools in Western Massachusetts, Gateway has experienced declining enrollment over the past ten years. As a result of this, and of moving grade 5 to the elementary schools, the entire middle school is now able to fit onto one floor. This left the first floor vacant to reduce operational costs. It also created a capacity to look at new programs for the benefit of students, families, and the community.
Following a number of discussions with town officials last year, who encouraged Gateway to go forward with the program to help attract new families; and a survey of parents of young children living in the six Gateway towns, the district decided to open the new, full day Preschool classroom in the Gateway complex.
Under the planning and direction of Elementary Principal Megan Coburn, Director of Pupil Services Kurt Garivaltis, Early Childhood Leader Susan Rhoads and Facilities Director Ed Quinn, work was undertaken at a fast pace last year to prepare and license a site, hire staff, purchase materials and transform a section of the Gateway courtyard into a preschool playground.
The program opened in September and now serves 15 children, aged 3 and 4. The existing preschool at Chester Elementary also expanded to full-day.
Garivaltis and high school principal Jason Finnie then began the process of developing the Early Childhood and Care vocational program for Gateway high school students. If fully approved, students will take specialized coursework in their freshman and sophomore years and complete their hands-on work in the PreK classroom.
Hopson said neither of the other vocational schools (Westfield Technical Academy and Smith Vocational) offer the Chapter 74 program. He said for the Section A approval, Gateway had to show job opportunities and interest, which Gateway high school students have shown in the program.
Hopson said the goal is to be fully approved by the fall.
Meanwhile, Hopson said having the pre-K in the Gateway courtyard certainly brings a different feeling into the school; having the three- and four-year-olds at play nearby.
“It’s a nice change. As Andy Myers (chair of the Hilltown Collaborative) says, we’re investing in the future, so to speak,” Hopson said.
