Parents Oppose Possible Preschool Closures
The state budget proposed March 10 by Gov. Pat Quinn would eliminate preschool for more than 20,000 children across Illinois next school year.
Parents are speaking out against these proposed cuts, saying that preschool programs are essential for preparing their children for kindergarten. Read on to learn what parents are saying to the Ounce about why the state should continue to fund preschool programs.
Tracy Baldwin, who has a 4-year-old daughter in preschool at Portage Park Elementary in Chicago, and a 3-year-old son who would be eligible for preschool next year:
"I'm extremely concerned and disheartened to hear that the program may be eliminated next year. It would be a enormous loss for my family, our school, the Portage Park community and the city as a whole. With the condition of education in our city, state, and country, this seems like a huge step backward. Cutting funds for those with the most potential seems ill-founded and misguided—a dire mistake that will reap repercussions for years to come.
"My daughter has benefited from the interaction of others her age at school, and has blossomed both socially and intellectually. Her teacher and her aide have so much passion and enthusiasm for their jobs and teaching children that it is infectious. These are just the teachers and experiences I want my child exposed to at this age—which will make her a better student, citizen, and contributing member of society. She has learned about the human body and creatures in the sea, been on field trips to local museums, created art projects and learned songs—one which has her speaking in 3 languages: English, Polish and Spanish.
"My daughter has another year of Pre-K, and I have a son who will be 3 in August who I hope will be starting school as well. I really hope there is a place for him at Portage Park Elementary. It is an outstanding program and it would be a travesty to our community and the families in it to lose it."
Maribel Martinez, whose 3-year-old son attends the preschool program at Burr Elementary School in Chicago:
"My son started preschool [last fall] and did not speak much English. Within two months he was able to completely understand and communicate in the English language. I do not believe this would have been possible if he hadn't started preschool. I speak to him only in Spanish because I want him to be able to speak both languages.
"I was amazed by the way [the teachers] communicate with the children and by the materials they were teaching them and how much the children truly understood and how they were truly able to capture the lesson. Children are so smart and the preschool program only enhances their ability to learn. Another reason I feel that the preschool program is important for the children and the community is because it gives the children a chance to learn the basics, like the ABC's, the numbers, and how to read and write before they start kindergarten.
"This kind of advancement in education will help them throughout their entire elementary school experience. The preschool program also allows them to learn so much more; for example, they can learn about animals through field trips. All these experiences will later help them excel in science, math and reading, allowing them to accomplish better grades in school as well as higher scores on the tests which will later determine what high school they attend."
Lucretia Wood Wherry, whose 3-year-old son was supposed to attend Sarah Raymond School in Bloomington next fall:
"My son qualified for preschool through the school district. However, with budget cuts, there will not be a classroom for him next year. The school district is cutting classrooms from 10 to 3 next year. Many children already receiving services will be cut from the program as well. It is very sad. It is a great program with great staff that is being let go."
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