Gateway Regional School District Superintendent Dr. David B. Hopson.
HUNTINGTON – Gateway Regional Superintendent Dr. David B. Hopson announced to the School Committee on Wednesday that the decision was made to hold a full-day preschool model in the High School beginning in the 2018-2019 school year. Hopson said the preschool program will be part of a three-to-five year plan to start an Early Childhood education vocational program at the school.
The full-day preschool will be limited to fifteen students, with four or five special education (IEP) slots available. The preschool will run from 8:45 to 3:20, the same hours as the elementary school. Gateway’s wrap-around program will be available to preschool students from 7 a.m.to 6 p.m., for a fee.
Currently, Gateway offers half day, four-days a week preschool programs in Chester and Littleville elementary schools, which will continue as before. Approximately forty students are currently enrolled in the preschool. When surveyed, half said they would be interested in full-day preschool, Hopson said. The full-day option will be given to those families, as well as families being screened for preschool for next year.
None of the preschool programs, except for the wrap-around, are tuition based.
At the School Committee meeting, Huntington selectman Darlene McVeigh asked if there were more than fifteen children for the full-day preschool program, how would they be selected. Hopson said by lottery. Pupil Services Director Kurt Garivaltis will be in charge of the program, he said.
Town officials have been in favor of a full-day preschool as a way to draw young families to the Gateway Regional district, and to potentially increase future enrollment in the schools. While Russell Elementary was promoted as a possible location for a full-day preschool by town officials, district educators ruled it out due to its isolation from other services and support in the school district.
