Red Rock On Air

Early Childhood Education in Pine City continues to work to prepare young children for the leap from pre-school to kindergarten.  Monday, members of Pine City’s Early Childhood Family and Early Childhood Special Education Program gave a presentation to the Pine City School Board.

Program Director Becky Maki said,  “we are working on the writing skills, we are looking the handwriting, we are working on math skills, social skills, which early childhood has always been all about, and then of course shapes and colors.” She added, “The vision is that every young child in Minnesota will enter kindergarten encouraged, supported, and fully prepared.”

In 2006, the Initiative Foundation selected Pine City to participate in the Minnesota Early Childhood Initiative (MECI), a statewide project that helps create the best possible future for children ages five and younger.  Currently, Maki says the Pine City program is serving 40 children.

Maki said, “What do we charge for that program? Nothing.  I think that’s why it has been successful.  Very few kids miss.  They are devoted to the program.”

This summer, the the program will move classrooms into the addition at the elementary school.