Preschool in high demand Preschool in high demand (September 24, 2004)

More than 100 families on waiting list for Headstart

By Julie O'Shea

Headstart, a federally funded preschool program at Castro Elementary, has become so popular that its waiting list has topped 100 families for months. Mountain View-Whisman administrators said they want to open up two more classrooms to take 48 children off the list, but there is no money available.

District officials have been asking the Santa Clara County Office of Education for extra funding, but so far, Assistant Superintendent Modrite Archibeque said her pleas have gone unanswered.

"We are aware there is a large waiting list," said Nancy Carothers, a spokesperson with the office of education. However, she added, there is no more money to give away.

Santa Clara County must share federal preschool dollars with San Benito County, just south of Gilroy. Carothers said the government gives the two counties enough money to fund 2,150 children between them, and right now, it is all being used. In fact, Santa Clara County has 270 students, including Mountain View's, on a waiting list, Carothers said.

Archibeque said the district would need between $60,000 and $70,000 to open another Headstart classroom. The federal program, which started last April at Castro with two classrooms, now has four, and the demand keeps growing.

"It's not enough. There is such an incredible need," Archibeque said.

"I keep begging (for more money). I would truly love to expand it," she added. "I am so proud of our preschool program. I feel it's one of the best-kept secrets in Mountain View, but it's not a secret anymore."

Headstart offers free preschool services to low-income, immigrant children. The federal government provides these preschool programs in areas that have high poverty levels.

In addition to Headstart, the district also runs four state-funded preschool classrooms -- three at Castro and one at Slater Elementary. The combined budget for both of these programs is around $700,000. Kristi Marvin, the preschool director for Mountain View-Whisman, said the district gets about $300,000 from the federal government and $400,000 from the state.

Children who go through the program, Marvin said, are more prepared academically for kindergarten and beyond.

"Preschool is actually making a difference," Marvin said. "There are just so many skills they learn."

By the end of the year, students in the Headstart program will know their letters and how to write their names. Marvin added that classrooms offer children a "print-rich environment" with lots of books, and teachers help students develop their social skills.

Headstart, which also provides lunch for the students, is a four-day-a-week program that has morning and afternoon sessions. Classes run from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. The program also provides English classes for parents.

E-mail Julie O'Shea at joshea@mv-voice.com

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