Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K)

One of our Strategic Priorities is to investigate, plan for, and implement a Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) program that meets the needs of our community and integrates effectively into our schools.

Following the School Board Special Meeting vote on October 11, 2022, Falmouth Public Schools submitted a formal grant request to the Maine Department of Education (DOE) for funding to start a Pre-K program here in Falmouth. Informed by the community survey administered in September, and feedback from the October 3rd School Board Workshop, the Pre-K Planning Team felt it was fiscally prudent to move forward with the grant request. The grant request is a first step, and does not commit the schools to implementation in FY24. The team recognizes the need for continued work and discussion around what program model is appropriate to implement in the short term versus long term, that will best meet the needs and vision of our community and schools. Our next step is to expand our team to include families and other invested stakeholders. The slides from the October 3rd School Board Workshop and Presentation are available. We will continue to share updates on this page.

Some of the themes that were evident in the surveys and the October 3rd discussion included:

• Significant interest and demand for public Pre-K in Falmouth

• The importance of a full-day program, ideally five days per week

• The importance of considering short and long-term financial implications to minimize or remove potential future strain on Falmouth taxpayers

• The importance of working to ensure all families who need, and want, to take advantage of a public Pre-K program have the opportunity to do so 

Pursuing this grant will allow us to potentially cover a wide range of start-up costs for the establishment of a Pre-K program. That support, coupled with the annual revenue received from Maine DOE’s Essential Programs and Services (EPS) per-pupil education funding allocation, will provide substantial annual funding to support ongoing program costs.  

While there are very few school districts in Maine that have programs that accommodate all 4-year-old students through public Pre-K programs in their communities, we share the aspiration to meet the needs of any and all families who wish to enroll their children in a Pre-K public school experience. To that end, we continue to look for ways to expand the number of students we are able to serve, while also recognizing the importance of fiscal prudence and managing within current space demands and constraints.

From Setting the Course for 2022 & Beyond:  Pre-Kindergarten Priority 

Falmouth Schools will implement a Pre-K program that meets the needs of our community and integrates effectively into our schools.

OBJECTIVES
NORTH:  A cohesive, dynamic and responsive K-12 Learning Pathway, driven by student voice	Curriculum is thoughtfully designed to engage young learners, grounded in exploration and hands-on experiences, and designed to generate enthusiasm and preparation for learning. Feedback structures for families is consistent and focused on child development
SOUTH:  Ongoing, collaborative, Professional Learning structures that strengthen & improve practice	Highly qualified staff serve students and families. Adequate collaborative preparation time is provided to staff, and specialized training is available and ongoing.
EAST: A climate and culture that is safe, equitable, and fosters wellness.	Curriculum supports development of social emotional skills through collaborative and cooperative classroom activities, in addition to direct instruction. Student transportation and schedules ensure a safe and supported experience
WEST:   Community Partnerships that foster authentic learning and both local and global citizenship	Classroom numbers, schedules, and staffing meet the needs of our community Strong collaborative relationships are ongoing with our local daycare and preschool facilities   District resources are efficiently and effectively used in program