The Rhinebeck Central School District is launching a pre-K program in collaboration with the Rhinebeck Community Nursery School for 18 students at Chancellor Livingston Elementary School in the 2024-2025 school year. Rebecca Staats, director of the Rhinebeck Community Nursery School, will be the district’s pre-K teacher.
“I think the Rhinebeck Central School District has done an incredible job of collaborating with the Rhinebeck Community Nursery School,” said Staats. “They’ve been welcoming. They’ve been completely supportive of any of my ideas and suggestions.
“I hope to bring a developmentally appropriate program that can collaborate with the district and help more seamlessly transition children from this program into the kindergarten classroom. It’s difficult having children come from so many private preschools in the area or no preschool brought right into the kindergarten program here.”
Principal Brett King and Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Katie Andersen share Staats excitement to bring the program into the elementary school.
“Our preschoolers will be welcomed this fall into an early childhood environment that fosters purposeful play, sparks curiosity, and is filled with joyful learning opportunities,” said Andersen. “As a district, we can’t wait to open our doors for our students and families.”
King added, “Being able to have partnerships with local organizations like the nursery school is always beneficial to everyone, so to be able to offer the program for at least 18 families this year is a good start.”
Staats said students in the full-day program would follow an organized routine each day and added students will have the opportunity early in the school year to vote on a name for the class puppet.
The classroom is located in the same area as three kindergarten classrooms.
“We can collaborate with the kindergarten teachers and I think it’s going to be a very successful program for the families and for the children,” said Staats.
Staats expressed her goal for the students and the pre-K program.
“Our goal is to get them to become independent and cooperative learners, and learners who can take turns and can ask for help if they need it,” she said.
Staats added, “I would like to see every child in the district be able to have a space. I think that is really important for all four year olds. They will have a quality preschool experience that helps them bridge their home through their community into the public school.”