Gov. Whitmer: Expand preschool to 22,000 4-year-olds in Michigan
EAST LANSING Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday proposed expanding government-funded preschool to 22,000 eligible but unenrolled 4-year-olds in Michigan, saying too many cannot access an “incredible opportunity” because of inadequate funding.
The expansion is designed to ensure all 65,400 eligible kids can attend either through the federal Head Start program or the state’s Great Start Readiness Program, which covers at-risk kids whose families make up to 250% of the federal poverty level. It would be funded for three years with an infusion of $250 million in federal coronavirus relief aid and $155 million in state dollars.
Facing a crucial post-pandemic school year, Michigan leaders are exploring ways to bolster a dwindling teacher corps, from loan forgiveness programs to boosting starting pay.
Robin Pizzo / WKAR-MSU
EAST LANSING, Mich., May 14, 2021 WKAR Public Media from Michigan State University collaborated with over 75 mid-Michigan organizations to provide 1,788 WKAR Family Reading Kits to families.
“As an educator, I understand the power of reading and how it unlocks the unlimited potential of children to learn, grow and achieve,” said Robin Pizzo, WKAR director of education.
WKAR provided kits targeted for prek-1st graders and 2nd - 4th graders. Each kit included two new grade level appropriate books, local community resource flyers, PBS LearningMedia literacy activities, Scholastic printable activities, literacy bingo, site word card games and lots of WKAR swag.
MCBAIN â McBain Rural Agricultural School administrators and teaching staff proudly unveiled the district s new preschool to the public earlier this week.
Little Wheels Preschool, located on Roland Street next to the elementary school, is designed to nurture and empower each child, according to an informational pamphlet available at the Tuesday open house, during which community members were given the opportunity to check out the new facility and talk to district officials. We strive to promote the development of social skills, emotional growth, and physical coordination as well as cognitive preparation.
Howard Napp, interim superintendent for the district, said he believes Little Wheels Preschool will serve as a visionary model for other school districts in the area that are struggling to address a deficit in educational programming for kids between the ages of 3 and 5.
Albion s recreation millage is up for renewal in the May 4 special election.
Although there is no millage increase on the ballot, Albion recreation has been through a significant transformation since the millage was last put before voters.
Albion City Council voted to eliminate all city Parks and Recreation Department programming last December.
Due to the pandemic, the city wasn t able to run recreation programs out of Marshall Opportunity High School last year, and three of the department s four employees were furloughed.
The city s resources to provide other options were limited, and the department was facing a $6,000 revenue shortfall.
To provide recreational activities for residents, the city partnered with the Battle Creek YMCA and Albion College to run programming at Washington Gardner High School.