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On Monday, District 27 Elementary Schools
celebrated an innovative new program that is being implemented at
Adams School on Nicholson Road with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
The school has undergone a shift in its offerings from a school for
Early Childhood Education, Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten and First
and Second Grades to a facility that includes the Early Childhood
and Pre-K but adds a day care facility for infants through toddlers.
The Early Childhood and Pre-K will be all inclusive programs for all
children residing in District 27. The daycare, however, is
exclusively for children of District 27 staff and instructors.
The ribbon cut was quite unique in that the majority
of those behind the ribbon were students of the Pre-k and children
who are enrolled in the daycare program. Those little ones were
joined by District 27 Superintendent Kent Froebe, Assistant
Superintendent Chris Allen, District Board President Steven Rohrer,
and staff and teachers at the school.
Superintendent Froebe and Mr. Rohrer made themselves
small as they joined the children in the front row. Mr. Froebe
solicited the help of one of the students in snipping the ribbon.
With child-like enthusiasm the little one jumped the gun on snipping
the ribbon and there was an immediate “Do over” called on the play.
The second time around, the children stood quietly
smiling for the camera for the posed picture, then when Mr. Froebe
led the countdown, the youngster got a second stab at snipping the
ribbon as everyone cheered.
The children were then released with some heading outside for
playtime while others remained in the gymnasium area where the
ribbon cutting took place.
In addition to school officials and students, people
who came to witness the ribbon cut included Lincoln City Clerk Peggy
Bateman, Logan County Board Member Kathy Schmidt, and Annie Coers of
First National Bank of Tremont in Lincoln.
Also on hand, was another very familiar face. LCHS
Basketball star and daughter to the superintendent, Kloe Froebe was
on hand to witness the ribbon cut.
Mr. Froebe offered a few comments on the changes at
Adams then was joined by Mr. Allen for further comments.
Mr. Froebe began by recalling that he has been the
Superintendent at District 27 for 12 years. He said that when he
began, he was made aware that Ms. Healey had a strong motivation to
create an Early Childhood Center for District 27. He said that he
had made her a promise then, that it would come to be.
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On Monday he noted that Ms. Healey is two years from
retirement and that promise has been kept.
He said there is a shortage of teachers on the whole, that schools
are competing to draw in the teachers who are out there. Mr. Froebe
said the board realized that it needs to attract new, good, young
teachers, and adding a daycare program specifically for them is a
big draw.
Mr. Froebe went on to talk about the daycare saying
that Rohrer and fellow board member Brian Stoltzenburg who was also
present Monday, had been the driving force behind the program. He
further offered kudo’s to Ms. Jodlowski and Ms. Siever for their
hard work in obtaining grants to help fund the daycare program.
Mr. Froebe said that the need for the daycare was apparent to the
board as they are witnessing the loss of experienced teachers. He
said in the last four years, more than 20 teachers with 25, 30 and
more years of experience have retired from the school system.
He said there is a shortage of teachers on the whole, that schools
are competing to draw in the teachers who are out there. Mr. Froebe
said the board realized that it needs to attract new, good, young
teachers, and adding a daycare program specifically for them is a
big draw.
Mr. Froebe also noted that a large proponent who had worked hard to
get the program up and running was Assistant Superintendent Allen.
He said that there is a great deal that has to be done to comply
with DCFS requirements for daycare. Mr. Allen and Ms. Abbott had
been completely dedicated to making sure everything was done to the
letter.
Mr. Froebe asked Mr. Allen to step up and add a few
words about the programs at Adams.
Mr. Allen explained the layout of the program. There
is one room for infants (six weeks) to two year-olds. Then a toddler
room for those age two to four. The Early childhood program offers
two half-day classes as does the Pre-K. Then there is a third room
for the pre-K that offers a full day program.
Within all the programs, there are currently 85 students enrolled at
Adams. Mr. Allen said there are open slots right now, and at the
same time, there are staff who have added their names to the waiting
list for next year, because they are expecting new babies and want
to secure a spot for them.
There was also a mention by Mr. Froebe that this coming year there
will be an additional five or six teachers retiring from District
27. He said there is a need for new teacher applicants, and there is
also a need for applicants for the daycare teacher and helper
positions.
It was stated that there are very stringent guidelines for the
daycare. The district strove to hire experienced daycare teachers,
and they must also maintain a specific adult to child ratio, so
those positions are going to be important to keep filled to keep the
program going.
Mr. Rohrer was asked if he would like to speak. He said that the
board had embraced the idea of creating a daycare for staff, but
that there had been conditions. He said that the board agreed that
if this were to be done, it had to be done well. They wanted to hire
good people. He said that the board had also agreed that District 27
is a school district where teaching and learning are achieved. He
said the board felt that daycare should also include education.
With school officials concluding their discussion,
Logan County Board member Kathy Schmidt asked if she could say a few
words. Schmidt was on hand as a board member, but also as the
grandmother of one of the children in the daycare. She said she
wanted to thank District 27 for taking this step. She said it had
helped her daughter resolve the need for ongoing childcare.
When the speakers were finished, Mr. Froebe invited guests to stay
and enjoy punch and cookies from Peggy’s Place Bakery.
[Nila Smith] |
