Two new pre-kindergarten classrooms will open in the Hempfield Area School District this school year, thanks to a $600,000 grant.

The new rooms will be at Fort Allen and Stanwood elementary schools. They will operate alongside a pre-kindergarten classroom at West Hempfield Elementary School, which opened as the first pre-K classroom for the district last year. They are funded through a Pre-K Counts Expansion grant from the state’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning.

“I can’t express how excited we are … to have these young learners in their classrooms and in their buildings and be a part of the school culture at that young age,” said Kimberlie Rieffannacht, assistant superintendent of elementary education. “Knowing what that looks like and feels like is just invaluable.”

The program, which is open to 3- and 4-year-olds, prepares children for reading and math and reinforces paying attention, following directions and getting along with others.

Acceptance into the program is income-based.

Each of Hempfield’s classrooms has 20 full-day spots. The rooms will have a pre-kindergarten teacher and a paraeducator, making the teacher to student ratio 10-1.

“They learn to grow together. It’s not just an individual job,” Rieffannacht said. “They do it as a team, and it is absolutely amazing to go in and see. I am looking forward to that expansion, very excited to add those two classrooms.”

The district last year received a $175,000 Pre-K Counts Expansion grant, leading to the creation of the pre-kindergarten classroom at West Hempfield. In all, 19 students enrolled in the program last year. About 10 students are returning in the upcoming school year. Others are moving on to kindergarten.

“We’re excited to see where this takes them as they go into kindergarten this coming year,” Rieffannacht said.

The district must reapply for the grant each year.

• Hempfield Area to open pre-K classroom in elementary school

Hempfield leaders are accepting applications for those interested in enrolling in the program. More information and an application can be found on the district’s website, hadspa.net.

“That will benefit many children,” Superintendent Tammy Wolicki said of the expansion.

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