Island Has New Pre-school Program

Mackinac Island's preschool class: Teacher Jody Barna in back with Dominic Morse (left) and John Andress. (Front from left) Dylan Szabo, McCade Ferguson, Fern Clark, Brooke Dziobak, Aaron Riggs, Ava Sehoyan, and Leon Sehoyan. Missing are T.J. Bagbey, Ella Cowell, and Harrison Myers. (Photograph courtesy of Susan Bennett)

Eleven toddlers are participating in a preschool program on Mackinac Island this year, operating through the Chippewa-Luce-Mackinac Community Action Agency and the Michigan School Readiness Program.

It is the first time in four years that Mackinac Island has had a pre-school program. This year, the Island had just enough three- and four-yearolds to qualify for a preschool program through Community Action, which requires a minimum of 10 students.

Renie Butler, director of Community Action's head start

and pre-school programs, said the program is funded through the state's Head Start program and the School Readiness Program, which covers the teacher's salary and transportation.

The preschool program began in late October and will end in June. The class meets 3.5 hours a day, Monday through Thursday. Jody Barna is the teacher.

"The Island provides a bit of a challenge for us because of its geography, especially with unpredictable weather," said Ms. Butler. "But Mackinac Island is a wonderful

school to work with and we really appreciate all the help and assistance they have provided us."

The agency's goal in educating preschoolers, Ms. Butler said, is to focus on the health and education of the students, parental involvement, and family services.

Superintendent Roger Schrock said there are many advantages of having the preschool program at the school.

"It gets them adapted to the building and the other students so they are that much more ready for the kindergarten class," he said.