Save Part Of Irle School For Head Start

Dear Editor:

The strategic plan of the Glasgow School District identifies one of the principal strengths of the district as the collaborative relationships with community and organizations.

Head Start is indeed one of those many and important collaborations; jointly working with our community's 3, 4 and 5 year olds to equip them to be school ready. School readiness goals are an imperative component of the purpose of Head Start as we work with R.L. Irle Elementary to prepare our graduates to transition into the public school system with the skills that are expected of entering kindergarten students.

On March 11, I spoke to the Glasgow School Board during the Recognition of Visitors/Public Comment segment to call upon that collaborative relationship. I asked to be placed on the next School Board agenda to propose, detail and discuss the possibilities that would be served for Action for Eastern Montana Head Start, the Glasgow School district and the Glasgow community with the salvage of the brick portion of the current Elementary school:

• To become a stand alone classroom facility in part occupied by Head Start and other future Montana State Pre-K requirements.

• To maintain a growth structure for future community growth fluctuation and population needs.

• To maintain a kitchen facility that would be used by Head Start occupancy as well as serve as a district backup to the High School unit in cases of emergency and other possible community and adult education capabilities and opportunities.

• To save up to one third of the demolition costs to be incurred that could be used to help manage any unforeseen current and future expenses and manage the time of landscaping days that may affect the start and end date of the 2015-16 school calendar.

I believe that this request for discussion is a direct reflection of the school district’s dictate to anticipate and constantly recalibrate the future – the future of our pre-kindergarten children.

It is now March 25 and I have not received any response to my request from anyone on the School Board or the Superintendent’s office. I am again asking for the opportunity to discuss the current realities and evolving dynamics facing our Glasgow community and its children.

“The Road To Success is Not a Path You Find But a Trail You Blaze.”

Pam Ost, Site Coordinator

AEMT Glasgow Head Start