(CBS DETROIT) – The St. Clair County Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA) announces its selection for a publicly funded pilot preschool program.
Strong Beginnings can be found in 10 high school districts across the state and is offered to 3-year-old children. A classroom at both Memphis Elementary School and the Port Huron Schools Early Childhood Center accepts a maximum of 14 children per class for the program.
“They’re very different. We have the school district in Port Huron, our largest school district, and Memphis, our smallest community, so we’ll see what works well in both communities and things that are different in both,” says Becky Gorinac, the director of Early Childhood Services at St. Clair County RESA.
The program begins this fall and takes place during normal school hours, Monday through Thursday. Gorinac says other counties have been trying out the program and she’s pleased that St. Clair County will have the opportunity to participate this coming school year.
“A lot of that focus will be on that social, emotional, but they’re going to learn some of that early math and early literacy. A lot of language development, reading stories, going out and doing things outside with their friends in the classroom, so it’s going to be very exciting to watch those two programs,” Gorinac told CBS News Detroit.
The program is free for eligible families. Specific income guidelines must be met for the application. Families of four who earn up to $75,000 are eligible.
Luke Laster
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