The Warren Sun

The Early Learning Center at Eastpointe Community Schools has received recognition from the board of education for its success under Principal Valerie Jens.

During the board's May 8th meeting, Jens shared the progress of enrollment and achievements in the building since she started working as the building's principal five years ago.

"We are so proud of the connections that you build with families, the way you support our early learners and the essential ground-setting work that you're doing," Christina Gibson, Eastpointe Schools Superintendent, said during the meeting. "And we know that children are much more prepared for kindergarten and successful when they start that first kindergarten experience."

Jens, who started working in the building for the 2018-2019 school year, said the Early Learning Center has grown from 48 four-year-old students in three classrooms to 120 students in eight classrooms. In addition, they've started to add three-year-olds to the program in the building. That age group has seen some growth, too. Jens told the board, "Last year we had two classrooms with 23 students, and this year we have three classrooms with 35 students."

The ELC's Early Childhood Special Education program has also expanded to three full classrooms, which reflects six half-day sessions -- three in the morning and three in the evening -- with a total of 72 students. That's up from 48 students five years ago. Some of the teachers in the three- and four-year-old classrooms shared academic achievement data, which showed most students were meeting or exceeding all standards this year. Social-emotional expectations showed huge improvements from classes two years ago, a teacher said. 

One of the newest aspects of their special education program is incorporating parent engagement activities and days, another teacher said. The school asks parents to come to the school once a month, leaving their children in provided childcare services, so they can have conversations about areas of need, interest, or education that will help them engage with their child and support their education. It has been very successful with both parents and educators, and they greatly value the increased connection between home and school.