The North Babylon Union Free School District’s new Universal Pre-K Program welcomed its youngest members to the North Babylon family during the program’s Visitation Day on Aug. 31. Students and parents met with teachers and viewed their classrooms, which are held at Marion G. Vedder Elementary School.
The academically based program started its first lesson the following day for the district’s first day of school. It is offered to all North Babylon students and gives them the opportunity to develop their skills in pre-reading, math, social emotional learning, physical education, art, music and knowledge of the library. In addition, students will have breakfast, lunch and recess time on the playground.
Kerry Larke, principal of Marion G. Vedder school, said that the idea for Universal Pre-K was initiated after the district received positive feedback from the community in favor of the program. With that, administration acquired a New York State grant to get the program rolling for the 2021-2022 school year. The district filled its 72-seat lottery, with an additional 44 submissions placed on a waiting list.
The grant was able to fund all new supplies and furniture to establish four classrooms. Each classroom has 18 students, a full-time teacher and a paraprofessional. Ms. Larke said they are very excited for the program and anticipate positive results.
“Our biggest goal right now is to develop very strong foundational skills for our students, as
they get ready to begin their career in North Babylon schools.”
