Putnam County Schools Early Learning Academy reporting a successful start to its inaugural school year as students and staff transition into the new facility.
Principal Allison Painter said the first weeks of the school year have focused on a phase-in period for families and students. Painter said the administration is currently refining the logistics for daily operations such as student drop-off and pick-up.
“I’ve been very proud of how hard our faculty and staff has worked and how things have been fluid and they understand that sometimes we might have to back up and punt until we find that sweet spot,” Painter said. “I’ve been very proud of how excited the families and students are.”
Painter said the facility was specifically designed to accommodate the developmental needs of three and four-year-old students. Painter said the transition has been smooth for teachers who now benefit from working in close proximity to colleagues teaching the same grade level.
“Teachers have been fabulous and have worked so extremely hard,” Painter said. “Just last night I was speaking to a teacher and she was very complimentary of having someone to bounce ideas off of, someone to plan and prep with as we always try to put the needs of our students first.”
Painter said the academy is currently fully staffed with no vacancies among faculty positions. Painter said the school is still accepting applications for the Voluntary Pre-K program at 545 Scott Avenue to fill remaining openings based on state eligibility criteria.
“It’s been a great opportunity to get to partner with families and see them in the mornings and the afternoons and just empower them to be their child’s first teacher and let them know that we’re here to create a strong partnership with them so we can prepare them for pre-k, kindergarten, and beyond,” Painter said.
Painter said the dedicated environment allows the school system to provide uniform instruction and social skills development for all enrolled children. Painter said the academy will rely on consistent communication and feedback from parents and the community to measure the school’s progress throughout the year.
“I just want all children to feel valued and loved and, like I said earlier, just to get them all off to a great start where we instill a love for learning for them for kindergarten and beyond,” Painter said.
Painter said the academy represents a significant investment by the county in the importance of early childhood education.
