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Early‑learning leaders highlight family‑night turnout and inclusive preschool services
Summary
District early‑learning staff said the Oct. 14 family night drew more than 620 people and described inclusive preschool options, early‑childhood screening (~950/year), and services for infants and families; next family nights were announced for Feb. 11 (literacy) and Apr. 16 (math).
Robbinsdale Area Schools' early‑learning leaders described the district's early‑childhood programs and a successful family‑night event at New Hope Learning Center on Oct. 14.
Emily Levinson, director of early learning, said the district's early‑learning umbrella includes early childhood screening, family education, fee‑based preschool (with Pathway 2 scholarship support), and early intervention services. She said about 510 preschool seats exist across sites, of which roughly 115 were special‑education placements in inclusive classrooms.
Jessica Rich, a parent and family educator, and Liz Aistreich, a speech‑language pathologist in early intervention, spoke about program activities and why they work for families. Rich said the family night emphasized social‑emotional learning and hands‑on make‑and‑take activities; Aistreich described home visits and individualized early‑intervention supports. Levinson said more than 620 people attended the October event and that staff went through about 500 slices of pizza during the evening.
A parent, Laura, spoke about her son's progress in inclusive co‑taught classrooms and praised the Help Me Grow and early intervention supports. Levinson announced two future family nights: a literacy‑focused event on Feb. 11 and a math‑focused event on April 16, and invited the board to visit the programs.
Board members thanked staff and suggested follow‑up questions would be appropriate in a work session on program effectiveness and metrics for early‑learning outcomes.
