Second year of district pre-K in the works

Last modified: Wednesday, August 22, 2007 1:44 PM CDT

Second year of district pre-K in the works

Special to the Herald - When the bell rings the first week of school, 4-year-olds in the Chippewa Falls community will join the excitement that often comes with the first days of school.

In its second year, the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District’s Building Bridges 4 Children (BB4C) program will reach out to more than 270 children who will attend this preschool program in a community childcare center, the Catholic School, or Head Start.

BB4C is designed to provide a quality preschool program for any 4-year-old living within school district boundaries. Quality programming focuses on age appropriate learning and thus the curricula used with the program help children learn through play, build their social and emotional skills, and create a community of little people who love to learn.

DPI licensed teachers in Early Childhood often use studies or projects to guide and integrate learning through content and developmental goals that encourage children to be curious, explore their world, and make sense of experiences in a meaningful way.

As children learn, teachers assess individual progress and aid children in moving forward on a developmental continuum. Ultimately, it is the goal of teachers, the program and the school district to prepare these children for their transitions into kindergarten and their future.

BB4C sites that contracted with the district last year continue to partner this year and have rated well above average on the Environmental Rating Scale (ECERS), a yearly evaluation required as a contracted partner.

They continue to implement enhancements to their programs to meet the needs of children in our community. Furthermore, as fall approaches the district invites other community preschools and daycares to join the partnership and offer programming for subsequent school years.

In addition to the on-site based instruction, BB4C offers a Model II program. In-home daycare providers, faith-based preschools, or parents who chose to keep their 4-year-olds home can work with the in-home coordinator to set up their classrooms/environment, learn about and check-out curriculum materials and resources to reach children not enrolled in BB4C.

Contact the BB4C In-home Program Coordinator at 577-2276 for additional information on this model of programming.

More information

BB4C sites continue to accept enrollments for the 2007-08 school year.

- Call the BB4C coordinator at (715) 577-0401.

- Visit cfsd.chipfalls.k12.wi.us/depts/dw/bb4c/index.html

- Pick up enrollment materials from the River Source Family Center, 403 High St., Chippewa Falls.

- Contact any one of the partner sites to enroll your child. Partner sites include: CESA 11 Head Start, 723-1211; Kids USA Learning Center, 726-1507; Lake Wissota Kids Place, 720-0437; Sleepers to Sneakers, 723-4460; YMCA Early Learning Community, 723-5135; Monkey Business Childcare Center and Preschool, Inc., 723-7444; or St. Charles Borromeo, 723-5827.