LuAnn Garvey was honored during Monday evening’s Webster City school board meeting by Superintendent Mandy Ross for the award she had received in July for Educator of the Year by the American Legion.

She was nominated by Post 191 and 8th District Commander Marvin Carr, who was also in attendance to share his gratitude for his former teacher and for all that Garvey had done to show support of veterans throughout her teaching career. Carr toldthe board it is to recognize educators for all they do.

“Mrs. Garvey won’t be the last one recognized for her service,” he said.

A presentation was given to the school board by Mindy Mossman, principal of Pleasant View Elementary on the success of the 4-year-old preschool programs. Mossman said she received a grant to help with the funding of the program and was able to eliminate the four barriers the program had faced in the past. Those barriers included parents being required to pay, a lack of transportation, English Language Learners not as involved as the teachers had hoped they’d be, and teachers not remaining within the program past one year. Mossman’s goal was to get everyone into preschool with these barriers being eliminated.

Currently there are five preschool programs in Webster City: Riverview, Asbury, St. Thomas, St. Paul, and Webster City Daycare. Asbury provides a morning and afternoon program, so there are currently six preschool classes currently in place, with most of the classes filling up.

“Transportation is not a requirement, but is provided if needed so students are able to attend preschool,” said Mossman.

Some of the preschool programs are for 3 or 4 hrs. per day, with some classes being held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays only and others that will go from Monday-Thursday. There are different days and times offered to fit into each family’s own individual schedule. Each classroom must have a licensed teacher with a degree in Early Childhood Education and there will be an associate as well in each classroom.

Mossman discussed some of the areas that the preschools are focusing on with their Creative Curriculum. They are working on fine and gross motor skills, teaching literacy, cooperation, more training for the ELL students, math, and science. With the Second Step Curriculum, teachers focus on the social, emotional, and behavioral aspects of the students’ learning and teach about these topics through acting and role playing activities. There are also accomodations made for students with special needs, so 3-year-olds will be blended into the 4-year-old preschool program as needed, where the teachers are able to diversify their teaching program to facilitate these particular students’ needs.

Mossman was able to implement an orientation night for the preschool class this year, which benefitted the parentsby answering any of the questions prior to the beginning of the school year.

“Our goal is to get to know the families sooner, so by the time the students are reaching kindergarten, everyone is well acquainted with the idea of attending school,” said Mossman.

In other business, the board approved the contract recommendation for Bryce Duncan for the full time Pleasant View Paraeducator position.