Pearson Early Learning Center named a Special Olympics unified preschool; district reports robust enrollments

District early‑learning staff updated the board on Feb. 9 about programming at Pearson Early Learning Center and celebrated the center’s designation as a Special Olympics unified preschool — one of five in the state to earn that recognition.

Sarah Moline (Pearson Early Learning Center administrator) and Deb Anderson (special services supervisor for early childhood) described program components including ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education), Stepping Stones preschool, early childhood screening, family literacy, early childhood special education and wraparound preschool care. Moline reported the district launched 32 unique ECFE classes (182 unique enrollments counted as people) and that Stepping Stones preschool currently has about 286 students enrolled.

The presenters also highlighted screening expansion (day/evening/Saturday appointments), partnerships with Southwest Metro for family literacy, teacher training in literacy and a 10‑year celebration of the social‑emotional pyramid model at Pearson. Staff said early childhood screening outreach and mobile clinic (Reed Mobile) work will continue this summer and that the district is piloting full‑fidelity developmental screening using TS Gold to track fall‑to‑winter‑to‑spring progress.

The early‑learning team fielded questions about pilot feedback, capacity and classroom space; staff said they are using existing afternoon and nooks in their buildings to expand offerings where possible and will continue to explore additional space for aftercare and program growth.

What happens next: Staff will continue piloting the creative curriculum for preschool, provide a timeline for full adoption training and return with implementation data and any capacity recommendations.