Preschool earns state honor

Preschool earns state honor
preschool studentsThe Mountain View Whisman School District’s preschool program has been chosen as one of 51 recipients for a statewide educational honor, the Golden Bell Award.

The Golden Bell Awards, now in their 39th year, are sponsored by the California School Boards Association to recognize outstanding public school programs for innovation, sustainability and best practices that facilitate positive student outcomes.

MVWSD’s award-winning preschool serves almost 200 children ages 3 – 5 at two locations: Theuerkauf Elementary School and at Latham Street (near Gabriela Mistral Elementary). MVWSD offers both part-day and full-day preschool classes to families of all income levels. Some families may qualify for FREE part-day or low-cost full-day preschool based on income and family size. There are full cost spaces available for families who do not qualify for subsidized services.

The program was recognized for being a high-quality, inclusive preschool, and that it has expanded to serve more children who would not otherwise be able to access comprehensive early education services. The preschool is providing full-day spaces for the first time in our program’s history, with a fee structure that makes it affordable for families at all income levels. All of our efforts have resulted in a slow but steady 58% increase in preschool spaces and enrollment over the last 8 years, the elimination of a waiting list for state preschool eligible families and more program options for working families.

Both sites of the MVWSD preschool program have received a Tier 5 (Platinum) rating from the state's Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS).

“One of our Board’s strategies for increasing academic outcomes and closing the achievement gap is to expand our early education offerings. We are fortunate to have one of the best programs in the state that is preparing our kids to enter Kindergarten with a solid foundation,” said Dr. Ayindé Rudolph, Superintendent. “I am proud of the work that our team has done under the leadership of Terri Wallace, and look forward to our efforts to expand this program to reach more children in Mountain View.”

A 17-member judging panel made up of experts from school districts and county offices of education reviewed the written entries and made the initial recommendations for the awards. MVWSD Preschool will receive its award at a recognition reception and ceremony on Thursday, November 29, from 5 to 7 p.m. at CSBA’s Annual Education Conference and Trade Show in San Francisco at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis located at 780 Mission Street.

For more information on MVWSD Preschool registration, please click here.

To learn more about the Golden Bell awards, visit the California School Boards Association’s Golden Bell website at https://gb.csba.org/.
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