“We wanted to thank East Ramapo Central School District for caring about West Street Child Care Learning Center!” gushed Carole Anderson, President of West Street, Community Activist and former East Ramapo Central School District Board Member.
On Friday January 27, Ms. Anderson, Executive Director Ms. Alexus Williams and former Executive Director Diane Rivera hosted a “Gratitude Luncheon” prepared by the legendary Chef Moise for several members of East Ramapo’s administrative team.
East Ramapo collaborates with more than 50 preschools and child centers across Rockland County to help preschoolers develop socially, emotionally, physically, linguistically, culturally, and intellectually. The district has partnered with West Street Child Care Learning Center as a designated Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) location since the beginning of the UPK program. This special early childhood program was established by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) and contracted by school districts to provide an early learning experience for children who qualify.
The group toured the three-story building to witness the effective instruction and educational growth taking place in the bright, colorful classrooms. They also observed the facilities upgrades, including the new air conditioning units, smart boards, computers, flooring, and other much needed renovations. The outdoor playground and indoor spaces are welcoming, vibrant, and well-equipped to provide the children with an exceptional early learning experience.
“It was a pleasure to see the children engrossed in purposeful play when we arrived,” said Universal Prekindergarten Coordinator Dr. Jennifer Coggio. “While engaging in play, these children are making discoveries, experimenting with literacy and math, and problem solving. All while building knowledge and a strong foundation for school success.”
Dr. Clarence Ellis, Superintendent of Schools, attended the Gratitude Luncheon, along with East Ramapo’s State Monitor Mary Fox-Alter, Executive Director of Elementary Education Ms. Ellen Andriello, Universal Prekindergarten Coordinator Dr. Jennifer Coggio, Interim Assistant Superintendent for Business Natalie Espinal, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum & Instruction Dr. Ogechi Iwuoha, and Assistant Superintendent of Funded Programs Dr. Daniel Shanahan.
“It’s apparent in these classrooms that we just saw how critically important universal pre-kindergarten is to the social and emotional development of the child,” stated Dr. Shanahan. “New York State needs to continue supporting these important programs because they set the children up for academic success and make a remarkable difference in their lifelong academic journey.”
East Ramapo’s UPK program is free to children in the East Ramapo Central School District who will be four years old by December 1, 2023. Children attend five (5) days a week for 180 school days per school year, and class is conducted with a qualified teacher and an assistant in every class. Visit www.ercsd.org/upk for more information.
