WESTOVER, MD, March 21, 2024 – Somerset County Public Schools (SCPS) and the Somerset Early Learning Advisory Council (SELAC) recently announced the week of April 7, 2024 as the Week of the Young Child. The Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the world's largest early childhood education association. The campaign’s focus brings public attention to the need for young children and families to have high quality early childhood programs and services.
Supervisor of Early Childhood Instruction, Mrs. Karen Karten shared, “The first years of a child’s life are when the most rapid brain development occurs, and it lays the foundation for all future learning. SCPS is dedicated to providing high quality programming to all of our students, including the youngest learners, providing a Pre-K program open to all children turning 4 by September 1 and to 3-year-old students who meet income qualifications. Pre-K Registration for the 2024-2025 school year begins on April 1, 2024.”
The week-long celebration of the young child will conclude on Friday, April 12th with a School Readiness Fair at Somerset Intermediate School (SIS) from 4:00-7:00 pm for families with children aged 0 - 5, and will feature musical programming, family activities, community resources, and information sessions. Families in attendance will have the opportunity to visit with “Buster the School Bus,” board a real school bus, meet Katerina Cat from PBS Kids, enjoy a meal provided by Mission BBQ, and register their Pre-K 3/Pre-K 4 child for the upcoming school year. Participants will receive a free tee shirt, bag and school readiness materials.
Families are encouraged to RSVP for this event by calling the Somerset Board of Education Office at 410-651-1616 ex 11251 or visiting the link at the QR code (https://forms.gle/4ZmLHnb3QKvg3a7F7).