I am very happy to see that Regional District 17 has decided to bring back the Childcare center. It is an invaluable resource which will become a great asset to the community. Fifteen years ago, I myself was a student at what was in those days, the Child Study Center. It is great to see that Mr. Mala and the Board of Education have decided to bring back a program which was cut back in the late 90's due to space constraints.
The new 'Child Study Center' is slated to take up three rooms according to the Hartford Courant. The old middle school contains by my count, just under fifty classrooms. Anyone who can do simple math can see that this valuable program is not going to take over the old middle school. Back when I was a student there, it took up one classroom for a much smaller program. That classroom was then converted to a special education classroom when space constraints became too tight. As far as I know, the basic facilities of that classroom are still equipped to handle small children (including a bathroom for young kids). The renovations called for are necessary to expand the program and update facilities.
One who read the article in the Hartford Courant would also notice that Mr. Mala commented that the vast majority, including staff for this program will be self-sufficient. It will not be using tax payer dollars, but instead the tuition charged to those who use the program.
This program is first being opened up to staff members of the district, which only makes common sense. Convenience for staff members is similar to any other large company which provides day-care for their employees. Currently living in Washington D.C., I see everyday walking along the street that this is a common occurrence for large companies and governmental agencies. If all the spaces are not filled by staff members, then the service will be open to the public, as was the case back when I was growing up. I can assure you that the staff of Regional District 17 will not be overly preoccupied with watching their children instead of teaching. The computer monitoring system is simply a piece of technology which will allow staff members a greater level of convenience and allow them to devote more time to the students of the district. Not having to worry about child care will be a great asset to the community and allow teachers more time to do their job, instead of having to leave quickly at the end of the day to pick a child up from daycare or worrying about inadequate care. It will also hopefully reduce staff absences, helping once again to improve teacher/student contact.
I think it is important to note that this service is not just benefiting staff members, but also students who have given birth to a child and have no viable option for child care. This service will help keep those who might normally have dropped out in school and in the end greatly improve their lives and the lives of their children.
One of the most important aspects of this program will undoubtedly be the eventual return of an early childhood development program to the high school. Back when I was a student, this program provided me with wonderful role models. I am glad to see that Mr. Mala and the Board of Education are working to improve the quality of education in our high school and use that additional space which is now available to bring back programs that were cut due to space constraints. This program will undoubtedly be a valuable asset to the community, providing child care skills and a live observation and interaction laboratory for the students in our two communities.
The 'Child Study Center' will once again become a valuable asset to the communities of Haddam and Killingworth by further enriching the education that our district provides. I, for one, do not consider myself "a consistently mediocre result" of this public school system and I would dare to say that none of my former classmates would disagree with me and consider themselves to be mediocre. When I occupy the large white house that sits just three blocks down Pennsylvania Avenue from my college campus someday, we will see just how mediocre those results are. And where did that education which has gotten me to the point I am today start? At the Child Study Center.
Because I am still in Washington D.C. finishing up my final exams, I unfortunately will be unable to show my support for the budget. However, I hope that you, the residents of Killingworth will continue to show support for "consistently OUTSTANDING results" like myself.
Sincerely,
Drew Granucci
Child Study Center Class of 1993
Haddam-Killingworth High School Class of 2006
The George Washington University Class of 2010