I have received compensation for this content as part of an Early Childhood Education promotion for Pittsburgh Public Schools. As I am an educator and the mother of two, I wholeheartedly support and advocate a strong early childhood education program. For more posts and info about Pittsburgh Public’s program, follow #ppsafterschool on Twitter.
My husband and I researched preschools for our son as most folks research a college: class size, curriculum, price, etc. To say that I was obsessive about it is an understatement, especially because my priority wasn’t even his formal education, but his social development and exposure to a structured environment.
If you’ve been reading me for a while, you may remember that despite my steadfast commitment to finding the “perfect” preschool, I failed. Miserably. Fortunately, we fixed the problem, enrolled the boy in a school that meets his needs and my high standards, and everything is rainbows and sunshine in our world.
Why, oh why, is preschool such a big deal to me? Lots of perfectly intelligent and well-adjusted people never attended preschool and excelled in their higher education and careers. My husband is one of them. He was reading and writing and making straight A’s without ever having step foot into a preschool classroom.
And that’s just dandy. For the 1980’s.
State standards.
Increased global competition.
Mandated benchmarks.
Full-day Kindergarten.
The aforementioned are all factors that affect students today, whereas when my handsome hubby was beginning his education, the most pressing issue he faced was properly navigating his way through The Oregon Trail on a 50-pound Macintosh. (Editor’s note: if you remember that game, you’re awesome. If you don’t, you’re too young. Get out.)
That is not what school is like today. I have tutored elementary school students and have been absolutely flabbergasted by the amount of work expected of these little people. And I won’t lie: sixth grade math is not my friend.
So, yeah, I’m a little apprehensive about my kids’ early education. Which is why I am Super Helicopter Parent on Steroids when it comes to starting them off on the right foot.
Thankfully for my psychotic self, Pittsburgh Public School District’s Early Childhood Education Department has implemented a program that supports students when it counts most: in the beginning.
The Early Childhood Education Program is held after school for students in Pre-K through grade 5. Because the program is directly after school until 6:30 PM, it functions as an extension of/addition to the normal school day. Parents, this is HUGE. Your kiddos are cared for and educated by highly qualified and certified staff. I’m talking a research-based curriculum, tutoring, homework help, AND in-class enrichment activities courtesy of community leaders like Gateway to the Arts, the Carnegie Science Center, Jump Start and more. ALL of this in a safe place? Yes, please!
Now more than ever, our kids need that little bit of “extra,” right? And they certainly deserve it. Pittsburgh Public understands that despite parents wanting to give our kids the sun and the moon, sometimes life gets in the way. That’s why the district took things like convenience and finances into consideration; the program is hosted at five different sites throughout the Pittsburgh Public School District, one of which is the Carnegie Science Center! How ridiculously awesome is that?! AND the Early Childhood Education Program is half the cost of other top PreK programs in our beautiful city.
Take a look at this fabulousness:
Let’s review:
The Early Childhood Education Program is only $650 a month. That’s what some of us drop on a year’s worth of Starbucks tall Hazelnut Macchiatos with soy milk and a dollop of whipped cream. Oh, and if you’re income eligible, the price tag is…FREE.
Small class sizes. Supplemental resources and lessons. True student engagement. A chance for kids to learn without high stakes testing being held over their little heads. As a teacher, this is a dream classroom! As a student, this program looks like a big ol’ play date. And that’s just FUN!
As was previously mentioned, I wasn’t too concerned with my son’s formal education when he began preschool; my focus was his confidence level and budding social skills. While working cooperatively with others is certainly important, I also wanted my boy to have the opportunity to discover himself. What was he good at? What did he enjoy? Where did he excel? When the opportunity for self-discovery and learning coincide, as they do in the Early Childhood Education Program, it’s not only an investment in our children’s education, but in our future.
If you’re a Pittsburgh parent whose child/ren reside in the Pittsburgh Public School District, take advantage of this invaluable opportunity! But hurry, the application deadline is August 9, 2013!
Applications are available online at www.pps.k12.pa.us/earlychildhood or parents can request a hard copy by calling the Early Childhood Department at 412-325-4291. Contact: Heather Hopson, Office of Public Information, (412) 622-3617/(412) 298-1870
Stephanie, this sounds like a very good deal and being an educator myself, I know all too well what the actual educational push is right now. So, i am quite impressed by the program that you laid out here and think more states/cities should definitely consider offering this. Oh and by the way, I do remember Oregon Trails and happily played it on my Apple II way back in the day!! 🙂
Thanks so much for commenting, Janine 😉
More schools need to embrace this philosophy. And, yes, I remember the Oregon Trail game. Does that make me cool or way lame?
Definitely cool. Definitely.
I am too OLD for Oregon Trail… We had Zork though. Good times.
Iowa needs to get with the program and take a looksee at this…
Isn’t it a shame how states vary so drastically when it comes to programs like this one? I mean, come ON! These kids are our future; why would we not invest in them?! Gets me all fired up even thinking about it…
Loved the Oregon Trail game! “Simulations” are now all the rage in my daughter’s elementary and they did one with Oregon Trail, minus the computer. It was a little intense, though, the kids would get “fate cards” telling them what happened to them that day and several kids were told they burned their hands falling into a fire and had to come to school the next day wrapped in bandages. That one seemed more successful than the Mayflower simulation in which my daughter’s boat got into a huge fight over stocking the ship and weren’t speaking before they even “left port.” Maybe if they’d had a program like this awesome one it would’ve gone better. 🙂
STOP!!!!!!!! Bandages on their hands?! Fell into a fire?! I just can’t see how that’s necessary, but I don’t want to be the fun-stopper…
😉
Kids love to learn until about 4th grade, then the research shows most of them begin to dislike school. Programs like the one you are blogging about could be “difference-makers” by providing kids with unique educational experiences that make learning enjoyable again. However, as George Carlin said, “what ever happened to just playing with a stick in the mud for 3 hours on a Tuesday afternoon?” When did we decide that structured activity must exist 24 hours per day for young people?
You’re right about the research; I just don’t know what happens after that point. Extraneous factors like sports and friends, or too much pressure, or different teaching styles? WHAT IS IT?!
I think some kids and communities benefit from more structured activity, especially because our world isn’t as safe as it was in Mr. Carlin’s day. God rest his hilariously inappropriate soul.
Oregon Trail, baby!!!
We do not have these kinds of programs here, but I sure wish we did!
I would love to chat about the differences in our educational systems one day. How boring would that be for you? 😉
I think this sounds like such an amazing program and I love that you are helping to spread the word on this. Pittsburgh is rocking it with this!
Thanks for helping spread the word, Meredith! xo
My six-year-old has friends who participate in our school’s after school enrichment program, and my boy is beyond jealous. More school? LUCKY DUCKS!
A community can only benefit from an extended day option for kids. Parents can decide if it’s the best choice for their families, and kids can receive the educational options that will set them up for success.
I love how little ones are so enthusiastic about school! What the heck changes after elementary school?!!!
This sounds great and I would sign up in a second for my son… if it were offered in our feeder school. I read on their page that transportation is not provided so other kids in the district are out of luck unless they already go to one of the 5 locations where this is held. The only aftercare offered for our school is the Hazelwood YMCA or the bright side downtown. Because my husband and I work ‘normal’ business hours we absolutely need aftercare and our options are quite limited. I wish that this program was available at all public schools. Thanks for the article even if we can’t participate in the program. it’s good to get the word out.
Paula, you’re right that transportation isn’t provided. That would probably be a logistical nightmare, not to mention I don’t know if districts could afford the insurance for that!! But I sure wish programs of this magnitude were offered city-wide; maybe you can suggest creating something similar in your feeder school?! Good luck, Mama!
This sounds amazing, but I’m kind of leery about the time…more than 3 hours AFTER school. Won’t that be overkill? Otherwise, the program sounds wonderful.
Roshni, you make a valid point. I think the program is designed as part educational, part child care for the working parents. It’s a safe place for kids to stay until Mom and Dad can pick them up; I don’t think everything is a structured learning activity, but rather just plain fun for the kiddos!
THANK YOU for commenting!