Everett Public Schools welcomed pre-kindergarten students back to school on Wednesday, September 9, marking the beginning of the first school year in which students at both the Webster Extension and the Adams School will attend full-day pre-kindergarten.
The Webster Extension hosted a special first-day celebration for the occasion. Families gathered in front of the school to meet teachers, while students walked down a red carpet as the Everett Crimson Tide Marching Band and cheerleaders performed. Mayor Robert J. Van Campen, Superintendent William D. Hart, Massachusetts Secretary of Education Dr. Stephen Zrike, and community leaders joined students, families, teachers, and staff for the celebration.
“It was a really exciting first day of classes for students at the Webster Extension and the Adams School,” said Mayor Robert J. Van Campen. “I’m grateful to Massachusetts Secretary of Education Dr. Stephen Zrike for joining us as we welcomed students for their first day and took a tour of the Webster Extension. The Adams School and Webster Extension are truly incredible places to learn with exceptional teachers and staff.”
“There is something special about the first day of school, and Everett certainly knows how to make its youngest students feel welcomed and excited to learn,” said Education Secretary Steve Zrike. “The expansion of full-day pre-kindergarten at the Webster Extension and Adams School is an important step in giving more children a strong start, and I’m grateful to the educators, staff, families, and community partners who helped make it a reality.”
Following the celebration, Mayor Van Campen, Secretary Zrike, and Superintendent Hart toured the Webster Extension, led by Principal Laurie Ann Stokes.
“I echo the sentiments of Secretary of Education Dr. Stephen Zrike, who called it a festive occasion and noted that ‘Everett does it right’ when it comes to staging a signature event like last Wednesday’s opening of full-day pre-kindergarten,” said Superintendent William D. Hart. “It was great to celebrate the historic occasion with not only Secretary Zrike but Mayor Van Campen, School Committee Chairperson Samantha Hurley, Vice Chairperson Marcony Almeida Barros, and the faculty and administrators who made full-day Pre-K a reality at the Adams and Webster Extension.”
Research from the University of Minnesota has found that children enrolled in full-day pre-kindergarten programs are better prepared for kindergarten, showing greater gains in literacy and language development, math skills, socioemotional development, and physical health compared to their peers in half-day programs.
The celebration marked the start of an exciting new chapter for Everett’s pre-kindergarten students, who begin the school year in a full-day learning environment for the first time.