Preschool in Forest Park Gets Unanimous Endorsement

The notion of universal preschool was on the minds of Forest Park school board members long before President Barack Obama made it part of his State of the Union Address.

And two days after that address, the board unanimously decided to make it a reality in town, setting up a preschool program for children ages 3 to 5.

The program will begin this fall. Two half-day programs will be housed at Garfield School, 543 Hannah Ave. Garfield currently serves the district's primary school-age.

The school's principal, Jamie Stauder, and the staff at Garfield, are ecstatic.

"Full steam ahead," she said. "It's nice to be on the cutting edge. We're looking forward to working with families and children to work on literacy. This is going to be great for the community."

As envisioned by the district, the program would include some core academic skills, such as a recognition of letters and numbers, what they mean and sound like. An early development of reading skills also will be included.

Youngsters would also get to explore the community and the world around them, allowing them to stretch their curiousity.

Creative play also will be included.

The program will cost $126,570. Curriculum, technology and furniture line items are one-time expenditures, according to the district.