State grant will create school's ABC daycare
By JASON WOODS Voice writer

Two pre-school classes will be added to Bryant Elementary School with help of an Arkansas Better Chance Program grant.

The school will partner with Arkadelphia based Dawson Educational Services Cooperative, Assistant Superintendent Deborah Bruick told the Bryant School Board.

"This is good for everyone. It is good for the curriculum and research shows [this program] will build their language development in hopes they will be ready to enter kindergarten."

The district will supply classroom space and classroom furnishings, Bruick said.

These space is available because elementary students previously attending Bryant Middle School started classes at Hurricane Creek Elementary School on Nov. 5.

Although the preschool classrooms will be in the Bryant Elementary School building, Bruick said it won't interfere with elementary activities.

The new classrooms are expected to open in January, with a Thursday, Dec. 6 registration.

Bruick said two certified preschool teachers and two aides will be hired for the two classes. Each will have 20 students.

Students will receive breakfast, free and reduced lunch and a snack, Bruick said. Prescreening will be held for hearing, vision and behavior.

Children must meet at least one of these criteria:

•Family's gross income no more than 200 percent of the federal poverty level.

•Parents without a high school diploma or GED.

•Low birth weight (below 5 pounds, 9 ounces).

•Parent is under 18 at child's birth.

•Immediate family member has a history of substance abuse.

•Income-eligible for Title I programs.

•Eligible for services under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act).

•Parent has a history of abuse or neglect or is a victim of abuse or neglect.

•Developmental delay identi- fied through screening.

•Limited English proficiency.

To enroll, children must be 4 before or on Sept. 15; gross family income cannot exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty level and the program has to be available in the area where the child resides and space must be available.

An age-eligible child who meet requirements will be exempt from family income requirements if he or she is a foster child; child with an incarcerated parent; child in the custody of a family member other than the mother or father; child with immediate family member arrested for or convicted of drug-related offenses and a child with a parent activated for overseas military duty.

If any open positions remain after the enrollment dates, children who do not meet the eligibility requirements may be enrolled in the preschool classes by paying fees on a sliding scale. Fees will be paid directly to the program coordinator at Dawson Co-op.

For more information, call Bruick at 847-5600 or Dawson Co-op at 870 246-3077.