SCSD#2 Board Hears Update on Early Childhood Liaison Program

Scott Stults, Maggie Widener and Mitch Craft

In a luncheon work session on Tuesday, Feb. 15, the SCSD#2 Board heard Maggie Widener, who spoke about the Early Childhood Liaison program through Sheridan College.

Mitch Craft, Assistant Superintendent, introduced Widener, saying the program is a partnership between SCSD#2, and Sheridan College with the help of Whitney benefits.

“We are excited to give the board an update on the Early Childhood Liaison program.” Craft said, adding that the program is to improve school readiness for Sheridan kids. A big piece of The ECL also is to provide learning opportunities for the parents. “Maggie is not trying to work directly with every kid in Sheridan, her focus is to work with with parents so they can do a better job in preparing children for kindergartner.”

Craft also gave a background on the program in Sheridan. In 2014 Scott Stults felt it was important to pursue the ECL idea in Sheridan, based on a need that Stults saw in the elementary schools. The model for the program was in the Hot Springs County School. Stults talked to the superintendent there about the program.

Craft said that about 6 years ago SCSD#2 was trying to figure out a way to get this program up and running. With collaboration between Sheridan College, that taught courses in early childhood education, Whitney Benefits and SCSD#2, the program begin. “Sheridan College and the Whitney Benefits foundation pays the instructor’s salary and benefits,” Craft said. “SCSD#2 provides the classroom and an operating budget. We have had wonderful additional support from others in the community, notably the The Scott Foundation and Kim Love.”

“Now, we are halfway through year five and we want to offer you a report on the actual program,” Craft said. He then turned the floor over Widener.

“We are emphasizing play-based learning for children zero to 5,”

Widener said, adding that the program works with adults as well. At the beginning of each families’ enrollment the parents are given a resource packet, there is also a suggestion for 100 books to read with your children before kindergarten. “All children must be accompanied by an adult,” she said. “And it is very hands on learning.”

She talked about what the program entails. “A first we do music and movement, we like to demonstrate the importance of movement before we ask children to sit still. Then we do a read-aloud, and then we go into play time.”

She said that there are eight stations of play; literacy, math, science, sensory, art, dramatic play, fine-gross motor skills and social- emotional. At each station there is an explanation for parents of each station and the importance of each skill. This way, the program can discover red flags in the children’s development that can be addressed early.

At the end of the 40 minute sessions, the children learn to clean up the play areas and there is time for them to check out books if they want. She said that the program runs from September through May, to coincide with the school year.

There were several comments from the board, Ed Fessler, Trustee, wondered about ways to promote the program. He mentioned perhaps the ECL could do a handout at the hospital to be given to new moms so they would know this program is available, or the ECL leaders could develop a video on the program to promote it.

Widener ended her talk saying that she builds relationships with families and that she is “Glad they open up to me.”