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Laconia preschool teachers highlight family engagement, embedded services at school board meeting
Summary
Preschool teachers from Pleasant Street, Woodland Heights and Elm Street presented family-engagement traditions, literacy activities and embedded PT/OT/speech supports to the Laconia School Board May 19. Staff said Title I funds help cover family engagement materials.
Preschool teachers and district staff told the Laconia School Board on May 19 that the district’s preschool classrooms are using family-engagement routines and cross-grade partnerships to support early learning and transitions.
Amy, who introduced the presentation, said the district operates multiple preschool programs across Woodland Heights, Pleasant Street and Elm Street and invited classroom teachers to describe their practices. At Pleasant Street, preschool teacher Shannon James Benler said weekly “show and share” activities tied to the alphabet, seasonal traditions such as pumpkin-carving and a Thanksgiving pie-making event, and a holiday sing-along are regular parts of family engagement. “We invite families to make a chocolate cream pie with their children and bring it home for Thanksgiving,” Benler said.
Benler described a traveling “puppet suitcase” that goes home with children and includes a puppet, two books and a notebook for families to document weekend activities. “One puppet actually flew to New Jersey on vacation,” she said, noting returning participation from older siblings and continuing family interest.
At Woodland Heights, preschool special educators Jillian Mercer and Lori Jubert described their three- and four-year-old programs, a referral and evaluation process for children with developmental concerns, and work with related service providers. Mercer said the preschool teams work with physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech services and that speech this year was embedded in the classroom “which is really great” because providers can push into lessons or pull small groups for focused work.
Presenters also noted partnerships with the district’s elementary and high school programs. Woodland Heights’ preschoolers take part in a literacy showcase and have fourth-grade book buddies; the Huitt-linked preschool connects preschoolers with high-school life-skills students who read and assist with activities.
Board members asked about parent turnout and costs. Presenters said family participation had improved, particularly when preschool events are coordinated with elementary school activities, and that some family-engagement supplies and books were paid for with Title I family-engagement funds.
The presentation concluded with applause. The public-comment period opened briefly at 6:17 p.m. and closed at 6:18 p.m. with no speakers.
