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Waco ISD launches pilot program for early learning

Posted at 5:22 PM, Aug 30, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-30 18:43:56-04

Waco ISD is now giving kids a head start on early learning.

The district has launched a pilot program called "Pre-K three" that invites 3-year-olds onto campus one year ahead of schedule.

There are around 30 kids in the program that's being offered at Alta Vista Elementary and Brook Avenue Elementary.

Griselda Picazo is one of the teachers involved with the program. 

"I was all for the idea,"   Picazo said. "Pre-K itself is very valuable. It gives every student an opportunity to succeed in school and in life."

Picazo is a bilingual teacher who uses both Spanish and English to communicate with her students. 

She mainly focuses on teaching them fine motor skills like tracing numbers and letters.

"It gives them a chance to develop emotionally and socially," Picazo said.

Grace Benson is the Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education for Waco ISD. She said pre-K is the foundation for student success.

"This is an opportunity for us to bring in children that otherwise may not have had this opportunity to already start learning and have a quality education," Benson said.

Benson added that bringing children in at a younger age will make it easier for educators to identify students with disabilities. 

Benson expects the district to welcome more students next year since many parents have expressed interest in the program.

After completing pre-K three, the students will move onto traditional pre-K. 

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