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Upper Darby kindergarten center highlights foundational literacy program; staff note high ELL need
Summary
Administrators from the Upper Darby Kindergarten Center described phonics‑based instruction, daily routines that build letter‑sound fluency and a focus on fostering a love of reading; presenters said about 475 students attend the center and 177 qualify for English‑learner services with three ELL teachers on staff.
Anna Marie Delosse, principal of the Upper Darby Kindergarten Center, and Assistant Principal James Galligan presented a program overview titled “The Importance of the Foundational Skills of Literacy: Every Second Counts” at the Jan. 14 board meeting.
Why it matters: Early phonics instruction and foundational literacy routines can shape students’ later reading outcomes; the kindergarten center’s high number of English‑learner students raises questions about staffing and program delivery.
Delosse and Galligan outlined daily Foundations lessons that begin with drill sounds, include skywriting and whiteboard practice, and use centers and cooperative activities for fluency and letter‑sound automaticity. The presentation video and speakers described classroom practices such as letter‑naming drills, skywriting, letter races, and embedding literacy across the school day. Gina Applegate narrated classroom video examples that showed teachers launching lessons with a clear learning target and using technology when appropriate.
A presenter said the kindergarten center enrolls about 475 students and that 177 of those students qualify for ELL services; the center has three ELL teachers and staff said they sometimes use small groups, one‑on‑one time and collaboration with the reading team to serve English learners.
Administrators thanked teachers and families for district support and said their goal is for every child to leave kindergarten with foundational literacy skills and a love of reading.
Ending: The board acknowledged the presentation and the administration said it will factor staffing needs, including ELL support, into upcoming budget discussions.
