McKinley Early Childhood Center principal details growth of preschool, screening and busing options

Emily Hatton, principal of the McKinley Early Childhood Center, gave the board a detailed presentation on programming and services in the center’s second year.

Hatton said McKinley houses birth-to-3 services (including home visits), a 3‑year-old special-education preschool, regular preschool, junior kindergarten and nine kindergarten sections. The center provides direct services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech/language supports and uses play-based learning to develop social, fine- and gross-motor skills. Hatton described curricular elements (daily PE, music, art and counseling for junior kindergarten and kindergarten), the midday busing option that transports students between morning and afternoon sessions or to daycare, and the district’s screening plan: preschool and kindergarten screening on March 16.

Hatton emphasized social-emotional learning and stronger family communication as district priorities. She showed photos and a short video with student activities and offered staff comments summarizing positive early outcomes. On busing, Hatton said staff accompany students and the midday shuttle is being used by families and staff; she noted some families still prefer drop-off. When asked about screening format, Hatton said the district will again use a half‑day screening experience after positive feedback from the prior year.

Board members thanked Hatton and asked for follow-up materials such as a sample junior-kindergarten schedule; Hatton agreed to provide them. The presentation closed with the board applauding staff efforts and looking forward to continued enrollment outreach.