Highlands School District to expand pre-K program with new full-day option

Highlands School District will grow its pre-K program by 25% through a new full-day class.

“We’re excited to welcome the new opportunity,” said Kristie Gizienski, principal at the district’s Early Childhood Center.

She outlined plans during the school board meeting Monday, saying the new class will make room for 17 students.

There currently are two half-day classes, each offered in the morning and afternoon, with room for 68 students total.

Priority for the all-day class will be given to returning students.

“We want to take our returning students and give them a more robust program,” Assistant Superintendent Cathleen Cubelic said.

The expansion is being paid for with a $510,000 state grant awarded to Highlands earlier this month through Gov. Tom Wolf’s office.

The district is among several from Allegheny and Westmoreland counties to split the $384 million grant for early childhood education.

Highlands was awarded the second- largest grant in Allegheny County.

“The goal is to solidify the structure of the program for 3- and 4-year olds,” Gizienski said.

Highlands long has been committed to providing quality programming, and students now will get the added benefit of the structure of a full-day classroom, Cubelic said.

“We’re excited to continue to develop our program and establish partnerships with early childhood stakeholders,” she said.

A diverse group will be convened that represents child health, wellness and development. They will include providers in education, physical and mental health, as well as social and support programming.

“Our common investment in the families and future of our community will drive the goals we establish and efforts we undertake to achieve them,” Cubelic said.

Families must meet income guidelines, which are detailed in registration materials.

This isn’t the first major grant the district has received to bolster its early childhood program. In 2018, it received $289,000 and increased the number of students from 40 to 68. The grant also helped pay for students’ transportation costs.