News

Welch classrooms to gets more preschoolers

By Stacie N. Galang
Staff Writer
Published: August 28, 2008

PEABODY — Two classrooms of preschoolers will join Welch Elementary School this year.

Superintendent C. Milton Burnett told School Committee members Tuesday night that the North Shore Community Action Programs would rent two classrooms to teach preschoolers. He said school leaders put out the word about renting space and the nonprofit agency responded.

The superintendent said the classroom joins the district-run Title I preschool.

"It's going to do just fine," Burnett said.

Principal Monique Nappi said she was an early childhood educator at heart and welcomed the added program.

"I think it will very easily transfer into the learning environment at the Welch," she said.

She said when children have a strong beginning it helps not only their long-term academics but also their social and emotional growth, too.

Nappi hoped teachers of the new preschoolers could collaborate with the current teachers.

"It's a learning process," she said. "We'll help each other go through that process."

The agency will pay $750 a month for each classroom. Burnett said the $15,000 annual rent will help offset rising utility costs throughout the district.