Preparing Students for Kindergarten

The Trumbull Board of Education unanimously approved groundbreaking curriculum for the Pre-kindergarten program at its recent meeting.

Trumbull's initial curriculum serves children ages 3-4. It is age appropriate, and was designed to meet the specific skills and needs of Trumbull’s children. It will be shared with preschools in the community to assure that every child is prepared and ready to enter public schools.

This curriculum, like all others across the state, must meet state guidelines. It meets the Preschool Curriculum Framework of 2006 and other guiding documents, officials said. It incorporates best practices throughout as it “addresses the domains of mathematics, social studies, language arts and science,” according to program documents.

Six staff members at the Trumbull Early Childhood Education Center (TECEC) formed the writing committee. The group was led by Matthew Wheeler, coordinator of Preschool programs, and included teachers Heather Domurad, Ellen Gerber, Madelyn Kennedy, Dawn Matos and Dorian Pacelli. The document was created under the aegis of the Curriculum Development department headed by Linda Paslov.

Schools Supt. Ralph Iassogna introduced the agenda item by announcing that Wheeler has been selected by Governor Malloy as a member of the state's Curriculum Committee.

Wheeler began his remarks by saying this new curriculum will “come alive” at TECEC.

Board member Michael Ward questioned whether the program might be too intensive for young children.

Wheeler explained by noting that the new curriculum uses everyday life as a teaching tool – looking at hair and eye color to help them learn about data gathering and measurement; using their own experiences to help them communicate orally and in writing; and learning how observation and trial and error help them solve problems.

He also noted that elements of this curriculum will be “delivered through play.”

Board Chair Edward Lovely, a former educator, said, “I read every word... you did a great job,” and added “If it's followed to the letter of the law our youngsters will be ready for kindergarten.”

Member Deborah Herbst commended the committee. “You should be proud...this enhances TECEC,” she said.

Ward said the guide “advises Trumbull's parents well.”

In response to a question from member Lisa Labella about how long the committee had worked, Wheeler said, “a little less than two years … with a lot of sleepless nights.”

He then thanked Angelo Vespe, Trumbull's Special Education director, for providing funding for some parts of the curriculum.

He also noted that the curriculum must be reviewed and updated “in maybe a couple of years.”

The complete document can be accessed as a part of the agenda for the meeting that was re-scheduled from Feb. 1, at http://www.trumbullps.org/boemin/packets/2011/2-1-11.pdf.