HOWARD – When the Knox Educational Service Center (ESC) opened two temporary preschool classrooms in the new East Knox Junior/Senior High School last September it marked the return of preschool to the district after an absence of more than a decade.
The result was a surge in classroom enrollment.
As of Jan. 12 there were 38 East Knox 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds in morning or afternoon classes in the junior/senior high; and another eight EK children enrolled in other ESC classrooms, primarily on the New Hope campus in Mount Vernon.
In 2021-2022 there were only 15 EK students enrolled in ESC classrooms.
Now, the creation of two permanent preschool classrooms in the new East Knox Elementary addition is expected to stimulate even higher enrollment.
“This really fulfills our promise to voters who helped to support this addition,” said Superintendent Steve Larcomb. “We said one of our intentions was to bring preschool back to the district.”
Larcomb visited the completed classrooms this week with Ben Snedeker, director of student services; elementary principal Melissa Moreland and assistant principal Sarah Martin.
Moreland noted that the preschool rooms are in the same hallway as the kindergarten and first-grade rooms.
“Preschool students who move on to kindergarten will be at ease because they will already be familiar with the building,” Moreland said.
“A seamless transition,” Larcomb added.
Snedeker said furnishings from the preschool rooms at the junior/senior high school will be moved to the permanent rooms after the school year ends.
Completion of the playground outside the new addition will be completed this summer, Larcomb said. It will be enclosed by an eight-foot security fence.
Jackie Nutt is director of the ESC preschool programs at East Knox, Centerburg, Fredericktown and Mount Vernon.
“The return of preschool to East Knox has been a huge success. We are excited by the move into two permanent classrooms which will only magnify that success,” Nutt said.
“It is important for parents to know that our program is centered in play-based learning. Extensive research has shown that children learn best through play that focuses on a child’s individual development. And structured play develops gross motor skills.”
The permanent classrooms will have a combined daily capacity of 48 students, 12 in each of the four sessions. All ESC classrooms are licensed by the Ohio Department of Education and staffed by certified childhood teaching professionals. Each teacher has an assistant teacher.
Morning sessions are 8:15 to 11:30 a.m., afternoon sessions from 12:15 to 3:30 p.m.
Snedeker said plans are in the works to provide bus transportation for preschool students to school in the morning and to home in the afternoon. Parents will need to pick up children after the morning session or bring them to the afternoon session.
Preschoolers with special needs are served through an ESC special education program that addresses physical or cognitive development, communication or social/emotional development or adaptive behavior.
Currently, 11 East Knox students enrolled in other preschool programs are receiving special education services from ESC staff.
To enroll children for 2023-2024 call the Knox ESC Preschool at 740-393-6980 or visit the website at www.knoxesc.org.
