Parents and preschool staff highlight play-based learning, urge continued special-education investment after staffer’s death

A preschool team from Greenfield-Central Com Schools outlined how play-based centers — blocks, dramatic play, reading, music, science and hands-on math — build language, social-emotional skills and foundational academic abilities for young children.

Speaker 4 introduced the special-education and social-work team including Kim Dawson, Erin Day (described in the presentation as a lead teacher), Casey Garrison, Michelle Harrison, Jane Hale, Leah Spricker, and social workers Bill Pollan and Hannah Coney. Presenters demonstrated classroom vignettes and materials used to teach through play: sustained block projects that built vocabulary and cooperative problem solving; dramatic-play activities that encouraged role taking and early math through ticketing scenarios; reading centers with puppets and story stones; music activities using scarves and shakers; sensory science stations; and concrete math manipulatives.

The presentation emphasized that play is the foundation of learning rather than a break from instruction. "Play develops the whole child, physical, social, and emotional being," one presenter said. Staff described how teachers observe play to add targeted materials, scaffold vocabulary and support communication goals.

During public comment, Cassie Bergman, a Cougar Cubs preschool parent, described her family’s experience after their daughter Addie received a diagnosis and transitioned into the district’s preschool program. Bergman praised teacher Samantha Wilkins for quickly integrating Addie’s augmentative and alternative communication device and for providing daily support: "She truly was a part of our family's story," Bergman said. Bergman said Wilkins' work made a measurable difference and urged continued investment in staffing, training and long-term stability for early childhood special education.

Board members acknowledged the comment. Speaker 2 thanked the parent and said the board "truly agrees" and has "all intentions of continuing to fund preschool and making investments there." The presentation closed with the team thanking the board for ongoing support.

Next steps noted at the meeting: the board heard the presentation for information and public comment highlighted the need for continued resource commitments; no formal policy change or item-specific funding authorization was voted on at this meeting.