MOOSE JAW — Caronport Elementary School is one of two schools in Prairie South that will soon receive a prekindergarten program, giving young children the opportunity to engage in early learning activities.
The new program is the result of Prairie South’s student outcome committee (SOC) reviewing the school division’s self-funded prekindergarten programming — done annually — and making recommendations to the board about new program requests while factoring in current usage rates and sustainability factors.
During the March board meeting, trustees voted to discontinue the prekindergarten program at Glentworth School and approve requests from Caronport and Rockglen to start such programming; Glentworth’s program will move to Rockglen.
Amanda Olson, superintendent of learning, told trustees that the committee received several applications this year for prekindergarten classes. She noted that both applications met the criteria that the SOC had established for starting pre-k programs.
“They (Caronport and Rockglen) are endorsed by their school administration, they’re supported by their community members, it does show sustainability in both of those communities, and we would have staffing components available … ,” Olson said.
The committee was forced to recommend discontinuing prekindergarten in Glentworth — a “difficult decision” — because that program has been underused for several years compared to other communities, she continued.
Moving the Glentworth program to Rockglen and giving Caronport a prekindergarten initiative will ensure the division has five programs available, while the programs in these new communities will shorten travel times for families accessing them from elsewhere, Olson added.
Also, families in Glentworth will be directed to Lafleche to access prekindergarten.
Trustee Shawn Davidson, whose subdivision includes Glentworth, inquired about existing and projected enrolments in that school’s pre-k program, along with projected enrolment for the new schools.
“… (That’s) of some importance to me,” he stated.
There are 10 students registered in Glentworth’s prekindergarten program, but only two children attended regularly, said Olson. Meanwhile, Rockglen School is expected to have a sustainable program based on future enrolment numbers and would meet program criteria.
The projections for kindergarten students at Rockglen from 2025 to 2029 are 12, eight, 10, six and eight, while those numbers would double with the inclusion of prekindergarten pupils, she continued.
Davidson inquired about whether Rockglen would act as a “magnet” location for non-local families like Glenworth did, although he didn’t expect a big uptake in the program since the latter location only attracted two children from outside the catchment area.
Olson replied that Rockglen will be a magnet location, although she acknowledged that other schools with prekindergarten programs haven’t drawn as many children from outside the catchment area as the division expected.
“The opportunity is there, but people aren’t taking up that opportunity,” she added.
Trustee Robert Bachman commended Rockglen and Caronport for providing the student outcome committee with information about why they should have prekindergarten programs. He also praised them for being concerned about the education of young students.
Trustee Patrick Boyle pointed out that some people believe Prairie South receives provincial funding for its prekindergarten programs, which is untrue. Instead, the division supports this initiative with its own money and goes “over and above” to enhance early learning opportunities.
The next Prairie South board meeting is Tuesday, April 1.
