The Fox Chapel Area School District showcased its seven-year prekindergarten program at the board’s Nov. 10 meeting, where educators described play-based instruction and social-emotional learning that staff say prepare children for success in kindergarten.

Kaelyn Toth introduced pre-K teacher Katie Wiegand, who told the board, “Pre k is truly a special place” and described classroom activities that focus on early literacy, numeracy, gross motor skills and social-emotional development. Wiegand said the program at Kerr Elementary emphasizes learning through centers and a “Collaboratory” that offers STEAM and hands-on projects.

Superintendent or designee explained the district’s comprehensive planning timeline tied to Pennsylvania Department of Education Chapter 4. The district will convene a steering committee and host focus groups, with the steering committee meeting at least twice (December and January) and additional public and virtual engagement planned in January and February. A planning website is expected to launch in December to archive materials and provide updates.

Administrators said the comprehensive plan will be used as a “jumping off point” for district priorities and will integrate input from PTOs, site-based teams and community volunteers. The district noted that volunteers already appointed to the steering committee will receive email invitations with meeting dates before Thanksgiving.

Next steps: the steering committee will meet in December and January; focus groups are scheduled for January and February and the planning website is anticipated to go live in December.