As a line of kindergarten students walk past Mountlake Terrace Elementary Principal Doug Johnson’s office window, he can see the difference. Students know more English and more math.
“I’ve seen the difference it makes,” he shared with Lynnwood Rotarians. “It changes the whole trajectory. Preschool sets the foundation for our kids.”
This is the fourth year, in partnership with the Lynnwood Rotary, that a parent partnership called Edmonds PreK: A Family Learning Experience program has been offered and is now open at 10 elementary schools.
It runs for two hours, one day a week at each location. A $30,000 Lynnwood Rotary grant will add a second day at Beverly, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, and College Place Elementary Schools.
“It will give our kids twice the head start,” Johnson said.
“This has real impact on lives,” Superintendent Nick Brossoit added.
This is wonderful news, and is in line with the Dept. Of Early Learnings research on the impact of preschool, and it’s importance in getting children ready for school. However, Edmonds Schools are dropping the ball when it comes to Kindergarten itself. Too many schools have limited access to funds for full day Kindergarten, creating a huge gap in early learning. The full day day program, at a cost of $370/month widens the education gap between low and middle to upper incomes. It’s time Edmonds puts it’s money where it’s mouth is and secure funding for PAID full day Kindergarten in ALL of it’s elementary schools.