Grab your bookbag: Pre-k open to more kids than ever

06:44 PM CDT on Friday, July 29, 2005

By Chau Nguyen / 11 News

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For the first time, HISD says it will be able to place all eligible 4-year-olds in pre-kindergarten.

KHOU-TV

More than 15,000 4-year-olds will be grabbing their jacket and heading off to HISD pre-K this year.

It's a nearly $2 million move by the district, but the price of the pre-k expansion could be priceless to the students it will serve.

Ave Sifuentes plays house with her son Isaiah on this day, it's a lesson in manners.

But beginning next month this 4-year-old will be learning from teachers. Isaiah will be starting pre-kindergarten. His mother is ecstatic.

"I couldn't wait to enroll him, I couldn't wait to be here," she says.

Starting this year, HISD says all eligible pre-k children will be served, free of charge. That's different than in past years, when HISD had to turn away thousands of children.

"The early childhood program really creates the educational foundation for young people. It is crucial that we start as early as possible," says Dr. Abe Saavedra. "HISD has four pre-k centers. Two new ones will be opening next month."

HISD says the new schools will add more than 1,100 pre-k slots.

All told, an estimated 15,500 children will be in HISD pre-k, up 11,000 from the last school year.

It's peace of mind for Ave Sifuentes, because if Isaiah didn't go to pre-k, he'd be in daycare

"He won't have a chance to interact, he won't have a chance to learn. It's a great thing if they start learning at a young age," she says.

To qualify, children must be 4 years old, come from a low-income household or be unable to speak or understand English.

HISD is currently accepting applications and encourages parents to sign their kids up at their local schools as soon as possible.