News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Putnam County Schools are struggling to fill openings in their Pre-K classes because of parents reluctance to send kids into schools during the pandemic.
Pre-K-4th Curriculum and Instruction Supervisor Jill Ramsey said there are openings at three schools for four year old kids only.
Ramsey said parents should know all COVID precautions that can be taken for preschool classes are being applied.
“The benefits I believe, way out weigh the risks in sending your kids to school,” Ramsey said. “That exposure for that year before kindergarten is just so important.”
Ramsey said preschool classes follow nearly all the same COVID protocols that are classes have. However, she said there is a difference when it comes to facial coverings.
“They’re sanitized and kept clean daily, teachers are masked but students are not asked in Pre-K to wear masks, so you need to be aware of that,” Ramsey said. “Other than that the areas in the classrooms are sanitized and kept very clean.”
Ramsey said there are openings for four year-old students at Cane Creek Elementary, North East Elementary and Park View Elementary. Ramsey said there are no zoning rules for preschool.
“If you put in an application you can make your first choice of which of those schools you prefer,” Ramsey said. “You don’t have to go to a zoned school, per se for preschool, so we can put you at any of those locations.”
Ramsey said parents can get a preschool application at any elementary school or at the Putnam County School Central Office. She said the school system takes applications for preschoolers all year.
The child must be four years old by August 15, 2020 to be eligible.
