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Date: 12/27/2022
CHICOPEE – Chicopee Public Schools debuted a free preschool program during the start of the 2022-2023 school year. Assistant Superintendent of Instruction and Accountability Matthew Francis shared that the program’s debut is the start of a beneficial new offering from the school district.
Francis said the inclusion of free preschool was viewed as an integral addition to Chicopee Public Schools. The district’s designation as an urban district requires the school district to work diligently in addressing the additional hurdles that their student population may face.
“We thought there was a need within the city of Chicopee … When you look at Chicopee being an urban district, that comes with a lot of additional obstacles that we have to provide resources in so that students are successful and have equal footing,” said Francis in an interview with Reminder Publishing.
Francis discussed the positive impacts that a universal preschool program embedded within the school district has upon students. Studies show that preschool programs connected within elementary schools often lead to more cohesive education and instruction, according to Francis.
“[Students] have a better success rate throughout their educational careers, because you have the that professional collegiality between the preschool teachers and the kindergarten teachers with curriculum and other instructional pieces to make that transition a success,” said Francis.
Previously, the Chicopee Public Schools featured Szetela Early Childhood Center as its sole preschool option. Francis said that the school’s limited capacity and other restrictions prevented the educational entity from being inclusive to the entire city’s needs.
“Not every preschool-aged student within Chicopee could access a preschool environment,” said Francis.
The introduction of free preschool came with a number of considerations, including having the necessary space and financial resources. Based on declining enrollment numbers stemming from the city’s older population, an opportunity arose for Chicopee Public Schools to explore the integration of preschool offerings.
“That opens up building capacity … Now we have the physical space,” said Francis.
For the 2022-2023 school year, Chicopee Public Schools debuted preschool classrooms in Belcher Elementary School and Fairview Elementary School. Szetela Early Childhood Center also offered free enrollment for the first time in its history.
Francis expressed satisfaction with the program’s early results. Administrators and parents alike have noticed positive results so far, he noted.
“It’s outstanding … Both principals [at Belcher Elementary and Fairview Elementary] are glad they volunteered,” said Francis.
Francis said he is now focused on improving the preschool classroom’s curriculum. He said the school district is currently reviewing five curriculum samples for consideration.
The extensive process is completed by an administrative team within Chicopee Public Schools. Representatives of the curriculum programs present their offerings to the school district before they narrow down the list of candidates via a comprehensive rubric.
The process is then approved by Francis and interim Superintendent Alvin Morton.
Francis aspires for the curriculum to be chosen prior to the end of the school year to give teachers ample time to prepare.
“We are in phase 2 of a five or six phase process, with the goal that all of this gets done so that prior to school letting out, teachers can begin to get access to the new curriculum,” said Francis.
One area that is a particular challenge within Chicopee Public Schools is early literacy. Along with several other school districts, widening gaps caused by the coronavirus pandemic require an additional emphasis on fortifying early education.
“There’s numerous studies that back up that if you are able to get early literacy and the foundational skills and students are on grade level before grade three, the student is that much more set-up for success the rest of their life,” said Francis.
Chicopee Public Schools is now considering additional expansion of free preschool programs. Francis shared that the school district is awaiting the results of studies conducted by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission to determine what level of expansion is needed.
“There is still a need for expansion. Do we need to expand another five or six classrooms? Probably not,” said Francis.
Another factor that Chicopee Public Schools is considerate of is finances. The $3.5 million in expenses dedicated toward free preschool was financed by Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds awarded in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic. All ESSER funds must be spent within the school district by September 2024.
Francis stressed that the school district is actively looking to cement permanent funding sources for the program to avoid the impacts from a funding shortfall. He does not anticipate the program being negatively impacted throughout this process.
“If enrollment continues to decline, you start looking at other places where you can use money to offset that $3.5 million cost,” said Francis.
Francis continued, “There’s no going back. You can’t offer free preschool and then two years down the road say to the families, ‘Now we got to start charging.’ It’s an all-in [investment].”
Readers can learn more about Chicopee Public Schools at https://www.chicopeeps.org/en-US.