S.I. Program Inspires First Graders To Become Future Collegians
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Getting a child ready for college is a daunting task for parents, teachers and students, but one Staten Island elementary school is getting a kickstart in first grade. Borough reporter Amanda Farinacci filed the following report. First graders at P.S. 41 in New Dorp, Staten Island have added two new books to their required reading lists — "Judy Moody Goes To College" and "Mahalia Mouse Goes To College."
"In 'Judy Moody,' the college, it sounded kind of fancy," said P.S. 41 first-grader Enoch Park.
"In the book 'Judy Moody,' she got hot chocolate," said P.S. 41 first-grader Alexandra Perazzo.
The books are part of a college and career readiness program called "We're Going To College!" P.S. 41 has partnered with PENCIL, the respected nonprofit education support organization, to fund the new initiative, bringing books, materials and guest speakers into the elementary school.
Classrooms are decorated with college flags and teachers share their college experiences.
The curriculum focuses on three goals: inspiring kids to go to college, improving reading and attendance and getting parents more involved at school.
P.S. 41 is the first Staten Island school to try out the new program:
"For many of the children at P.S. 41, they may be the first person in their family to go to college. So that's a great feeling and dream, that we can change the lives of children in so many different ways," said P.S. 41 Principal Elise Feldman.
In the spring, the children will visit the College of Staten Island and spend time in a college classroom. That trip and others planned in the future are meant to pique students' interest in higher education.
Skeptics may say it is too soon to be talking to kids about college, but supporters do not think so.
"It's never too early to introduce college to a child. So now, instead of her worrying about being a princess, she's a little more concerned about being a veterinarian," said Deirdre Knight, the parent of a P.S. 41 student.
Because about 10 percent of the 700 students at the school speak English as a second language, the program is offered in several languages.
So far, all this emphasis on college seems to be working. Many of the children have already started calling their teachers "professors."