Parents of approximately 45 children will receive letters next week inviting their children to participate in Washington County's pilot full-day kindergarten program this fall, officials said Tuesday.
Up to 60 at-risk students from Bester, Winter Street and Salem Avenue elementary school districts will participate in the program, on which Board of Education members received an update during Tuesday morning's work session.
The School Board is using a three-year Goals 2000 state grant to fund the program in a move to better prepare children for school. The grant provides $200,000 in its first year, enough to pay the salaries of four kindergarten teachers and buy supplies.
Pre-kindergarten teachers and principals will select up to 15 children from each of the three schools to participate in the program, which will be held at Marshall Street School, said Paula Athey, supervisor of early childhood programs.
