It is August 7th and it is now the end of Planning for Teachers.
What a busy week preparing for the students of Santa Rosa County.
And DUO has had a busy week behind the scenes, but our President, Linda Sanborn, has had a busy week going to schools and enjoying talking with principals and their staffs.
Below: Meet the Director of TR Jackson Pre-K Center, Nancy Haupt on the right. Lela Erskine, the bookkeeper, is on the left, holding the DUO gift card that Linda, center, presented to their school. Linda even talked with the faculty of TR Jackson and was delighted with their enthusiastic response to the DUO card and its mission.
TR Jackson’s Director, Nancy Haupt, has a great introduction to her school on the school’s website. Her writing certainly conveys the enthusiasm of teaching 2 to 5 year olds and their motto is:
Pre-K Where We’re Happy All Day!
I wanted to summarize what she has written on her welcome page, but I would fail to do it justice. So allow me to copy her words here.
“Welcome to Pre-K where it’s always a happy day! How can it not be when we are surrounded by over 300 Head Start, Early Head Start, VPK and ESE children?
We are here to support the growth of each of our students but also to support their families as they learn the developmental needs of their children who are at the pre-kindergarten stage of their lives. Our program provides a nutritious breakfast and lunch each day. The boys and girls get ample play time and also work hard through the curriculum provided. It is packed with activities that will aid in providing the foundation of the children’s education.
Yes, we have a great time in Pre-K but we are always serious when it comes to furnishing our families with exactly what they each need to move their child toward being the most successful person that they can possibly be. We truly want every child and every family to feel loved and valued.”
As one of several retired high school teachers on the DUO Santa Rosa Board of Directors, I admire those who teach the pre-K programs. While so many small children would be intimidating to me, I love the enthusiasm, the fun, and the wonder that each small child shows in learning. I do believe their enthusiasm and fun nature are always present.
And yet, we know that even tiny tots have critical needs.
They still need the blankets and warm jackets for the cold weather that becomes confused and visits Florida.
They need glasses for seeing and learning.
They need the warm and durable shoes, and since tiny feet grow faster than teenagers, keeping up with good shoes for these pre-K students is a challenge.
I know there are many challenges for every child, and DUO Santa Rosa wants to help all the principals and their staffs to meet those challenges.
As Linda said, “I was so happy to deliver the card in person and to meet the faculty of TR Jackson Pre-K Center. It is a great feeling to know that we can touch so many children’s lives, that we can help them when they need help the most, and that those small children will know their teacher cares, their director cares, and their school year will be more positive.
“It is important that children will grow up knowing that the Santa Rosa County schools are not only helping them learn but also helping them when they have critical needs. They will have thirteen years learning and being supported when they need the help.”
That is DUO Santa Rosa’s motto: To see a need. To meet a need.