Unit 5 receiving $440,000 to expand early childhood education

Posted on December 11, 2014

Unit 5 is gaining funding to help expand its preschool programming. (WJBC file photo)

By Adam Studzinski

NORMAL – An $80 million early childhood education federal grant obtained by the state is proving to be beneficial for Unit 5.

Superintendent Mark Daniel said the district will receive $440,000 of that grant over the next four years. The money will allow Unit 5 to expand its early education programs, specifically at Brigham and Sugar Creek Elementary schools.

"Addition of two full-day classrooms at Brigham to the eight existing," said Daniel. "And half-day preschool for all classrooms already in place at Sugar Creek and Brigham."

Daniel added early childhood education is important.

"If you can imagine students entering kindergarten without any ability, or having very little knowledge of the alphabet, very little knowledge of numbers," said Daniel. "Let alone being able to read simple words and sentences."

This will be the first time Unit 5 is able to offer full day pre-school programming.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].

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