Allegheny Valley unveils full-day pre-K program

When Katlyn Davis of Cheswick learned the Allegheny Valley School District was starting a full-day pre- kindergarten program this school year, she immediately enrolled her 4-year-old daughter, Emerson.

“I think the full-day program works much better for our schedules than what they had for the half day,” Davis said.

This year, the district unveiled a new full-day pre-K program in an effort to better prepare students for kindergarten, school officials said.

The move to a five-hour instructional day from a 2.5-hour instructional day was recommended by the state’s department of education, said Jennifer Vecchio, the district’s coordinator of curriculum and instruction.

The district originally launched its pre-K program in the 2019-20 school year. It’s held at Acmetonia Elementary School.

“It provided an opportunity when there wasn’t a lot of pre-K programs in the community,” Vecchio said.

Davis said the full-day program will accommodate her family’s schedule better, as opposed to a half day. She and her husband work full time; she’s a nurse, and he works for the school district. They have an older daughter, Gianna, who is in fifth grade at Acmetonia.

Emerson will begin the program Monday, a week after her peers already started.

“I think, for my child, this is going to be fantastic,” Davis said. “She herself is very much looking forward to it. She’s so excited, and I’m excited to see how far she comes throughout the year.”

Having the program for the full day combats some learning loss because of the pandemic, Vecchio said. The program focuses on literacy, she said. The longer day also gives students exposure to different subjects, like technology, physical education and STEAM (which stands for science, technology, engineering, art and math.)

Davis said that, with the pandemic, younger children missed out on social interaction with peers. She is looking forward to Emerson getting that social interaction, learning and having structure with the full-day pre-K program.

There are 17 students enrolled in the program this school year, compared to 15 from last school year. Vecchio said the state funds 10 seats, and the district covers the other 10 available spots. Parents and guardians can apply for the other three seats on the district’s website.

The state provided a $100,000 grant for this year’s program, Superintendent Pat Graczyk said.

“We’re really trying to do the best we can … so that they’re kindergarten-ready,” Vecchio said.

Students took an initial assessment before the program, and the district will issue an end-of-year examination.

“We’re hoping to see how it goes — we’re hoping to see progress,” she said.

A full-time teacher, certified in early childhood education, and a full-time teaching paraprofessional lead the program.

Vecchio said pre-K students are adjusting well to the longer day.

She believes the longer instructional day ultimately will benefit students as opposed to the half day.

“Our main goal is to provide opportunities for children and support our families,” she said.