School Committee updated on Early Childhood Ed at McKinley School

Advocate Staff Report

REVERE – Melissa Lomas, director of the school district’s early childhood education, presented an overview of the program and the upcoming changes with the development of the new early childhood education center at the McKinley School to the School Committee this week. Lomas began with the current program, which involves 10 classrooms in three schools and accommodates 180 children. Those classrooms are both small group classes of nine students and integrated classrooms of 15 students that blend general education students with students on individual education plans.

Lomas repeatedly stressed the connection between the program and the families whose children attend. “Our program is built on the relationship we develop with families,” she said. “We look for deep home and school connections.”

Lomas described a list of opportunities parents have to connect with teachers and classes. She also highlighted parent survey results that revealed that a vast majority of parents feel informed, comfortable with teachers and satisfied with the safety of the program.

“I’m really proud of the work we do to build trusting relationships with families,” she said. She praised the district’s early education teachers, who she said give the city’s three and four year olds the academic and social/emotional skills they need to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.

Although it will not open for another couple years, the early education center at McKinley will bring changes for the city’s youngest students. Lomas described how the new center will create eight more early education classrooms at McKinley, a space which will be shared with the city’s new regional 911 call center that will serve Revere, Winthrop and Chelsea. There will also be meeting spaces, offices, indoor and outdoor spaces and a large gathering area.

Lomas said no decisions have been made yet on the existing early education classrooms at Beachmont and other schools. “There’s been no final decision, but with 18 classrooms we will have a lot of opportunity and a lot of flexibility,” she said.

School Committee member John Kingston credited the mayor for bringing Chelsea onboard the new 911 call center, which opened the door to a $15 million state grant to renovate the retired school building.

Lomas also announced that the district is now accepting applications for the 25/26 school year and the tuition structure is being reviewed. For paying families, tuition is currently $10 per day and children are accepted on a first come, first served basis.