District Awarded Sizable Grant For Preschool

​Courtesy of The Verdigre Eagle:

It's the dawn of a new era at Verdigre Public Schools, with the upcoming school year marking its first year of offering public preschool. Previously, the privately-funded Kids Corner Preschool had occupied a space on campus and provided these services, expertly administered by the now-retired Nan Kienow. 

The NE Unified #1 District approved the opening of, and hiring for, Verdigre's Preschool, but it was also known that some small changes would need to be made as the preschool transitioned into the public sector. Accordingly, the school applied for a grant with the Nebraska Department of Education in February and was pleased to discover that it had been approved - in full - to the tune of $75,000. 

According to Principal Chuck Kucera, grant funds will be used to remodel the preschool classroom, including: new carpet, tile, paint, furniture, instructional technologies (smart board, laptop, iPad, etc.), an update of the existing playground equipment as required by Nebraska's Rule 11 (which governs early education programs), salaries for the preschool teacher and para, as well as initial operating expenses (classroom supplies, snacks, utilities, etc.)

"We were excited to learn that our Unified District was awarded these funds to cover expenses related to the opening of the new Verdigre preschool," Kucera said. "We're looking forward to getting to know our preschool students and parents and welcoming them to campus in the fall!"

Taking the "preschool helm" this fall is Jenn Crosley, a 2017 Suma Cum Laude graduate of Wayne State College. She lives on a generations-old family farm outside of Niobrara with her husband and two daughters, Ella, 4, and Melanie, 7 months. 

Jenn gained experience working at a Yankton daycare following her high school graduation in 2008, where she fell in love with helping children grow physically and mentally. She attended Northeast Community College at that time and earned a degree in Early Childhood. She and her husband moved to Niobrara in 2012 where she was given the opportunity in the Niobrara School District to be a part of the team who opened the doors of the Niobrara preschool.

She went back to school full time at Wayne State College in 2014, participating in Professional Development School, consisting of over 500 hours of classroom and hands-on experiences. Jenn taught under Lori Pierce at VPS following her spring graduation.

With a capacity of 15 students, the Verdigre Public School Preschool currently has about 11 students expected to enroll in the fall. The day will begin at 8:00 and go until noon, Monday through Thursday. Breakfast will be available. Bus transportation will be provided to school, but families will need to pick up their child. Applications are now being accepted, so if your child will be 4 by July 31, parents are encouraged to contact the school for an application, or register online at http://bit.ly/VerdigrePreschool. 

"The new grant is going to be such a blessing to us as we build the program around the kids," said Crosley. "We will focus our learning around play, offering many hands-on experiences. We plan to take many walking field trips around town so be sure to be on the lookout for us!"