Carson City School District to offer preschool at Boys & Girls Clubs

The Carson City School District has partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Nevada to house a new Pre-K (preschool) classroom at the Carson City clubhouse located at 1870 Russell Way.

Twenty students between the ages of 4 and 5 will receive full-day instruction this school year from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. weekdays.

The preschool will offer all the traditional amenities offered through the school district including desks and other classroom furniture, buses, breakfast and lunch (prepared off site) and a full-time teacher and paraprofessional. The Pre-K class will follow the district’s adopted curriculum, which focuses on reading readiness, early math skills and social and motor skills. Lessons will follow a two-week theme with dramatic play and exploration.

The classroom was funded through the school district’s new Pre-K development grant and the existing Early Childhood Development grant from the Nevada Department of Education.

In June, the Carson City School District’s Board of Trustees elected to move to the full-day Pre-K model to provide a more educational focused program and to align with state requirements for funding.

“With the transition to full-day Pre-K, elementary schools within the district were pressed for space to accommodate preschoolers,” said Richard Stokes, superintendent for the Carson City School District. “Carson City is an amazing community, and this partnership with the Boys & Girls Club will dovetail nicely with the need to prepare students for academic success.”

Katie Leao, chief professional officer for the Boys & Girls Club said the Club acts as a hub for youth development in the community, serving a large portion of the district’s children after school.

“By introducing kids to the Club at an early age, it allows them to participate in the many educational and life skills programs we have for kids in all phases of growth,” she said. “Our vision is to provide more opportunities for youth by enhancing programming and by bringing the community and families together by fostering partnerships like this.”

Leao said the Club is installing additional security measures by remodeling the front entry and is adding a new playground structure to its campus to serve kids ages 5 to 12.

“We’re honored that the school district chose our clubhouse as a pre-K site,” she said. “We’re excited to move into this new area of service for the community and look forward to many more opportunities to strengthen our partnership with the school district.”

Any questions about Pre-K program enrollment can be directed to Dr. Laura Austin, Carson City School District’s director of Pre-K Development and Grant Support, 775-283-1504.