The following message from Elementary Principal, Mr. Pogue, was sent directly to individual families interested in Pre-K:
Dear parents/guardian of prospective pre-K students:
Thank you for your interest in our pre-K program, and for your participation in our pre-K screening event. Over the years, the pre-K program has been beneficial in preparing students to enter kindergarten and prepare them for a strong academic experience here at Tamarac. Unfortunately, the realities of this new school year have forced us to make a difficult decision, and we will not be offering this program at the start of the school year. The teacher and teaching assistant usually assigned to this program will be reassigned and will work with this year's kindergarten students, many of whom are last year's pre-K students. This will reduce class sizes in kindergarten and support these learners during the COVID-19 pandemic.
School is supposed to be a positive experience for all learners, especially our youngest learners. COVID-19 has upended how we teach, and the present health and safety protocols that must be followed at the start of the new school year makes us question how positive this experience will be. If health and safety issues improve, and we can hold in-person instruction with fewer restrictions, we will consider beginning this program at the beginning of second semester (end of January 2021). All assessments from the screenings held in July will be retained, and any child who was not assessed will still be considered for this program, if conditions improve.
We realize this is not the news that you wanted to hear, as your participation in our screenings showed your clear concern for your child's academic well-being. This program is one of the many things that make Tamarac a special place, and I look forward to pre-K programming being reinstated as soon as our present health and safety concerns are alleviated. If you wish to discuss the results of your child's screening, please contact me at this address.
Thank you for your continued belief in, and support of, our schools.
Sincerely,
Richard Pogue
Principal, Tamarac Elementary School