I visited the Haynes Early Education Center (EEC) at the end of this past school year. EECs serve students as young as 3 years old (K0) through first grade. Considering all the research about how critical these early years are for academic success, and how much in demand these “seats” are, I was surprised to learn that one of the earliest EECs in Boston was scheduled to close in June.
The Haynes is perched at the busy intersection of Quincy Street & Blue Hill Avenue. Although the building looks like a fortress from the outside, the rooms are light and airy. It is always refreshing to see classrooms set up for a variety of learning experiences: rug area(s) for stories and other whole class lessons, tables for independent or small group work, and “play centers” for children to explore a variety of social situations. In one class a big bin of dirt invited further exploration of earthworms collected earlier in the day.
A short walk with long-time principal Valerie Gumes along an adjacent residential street brought us to the YMCA, where children have swim classes. This is part of the “surround care” offered by the Haynes; the school is open every day from 7:30AM until 5:30PM. Other activities that take place after the traditional academic day has ended include theater arts, a children’s choir, parent/child violin classes, field trips, and much more. The school’s community partners make many of these programs possible, as do its paraprofessionals, who make up 2/3 of the Haynes’ staff!
As you begin this new school year, I wish you all an equally inclusive and supportive community in which to meet the daily challenges of this most demanding profession.
Please invite me to visit your school!
Amika Kemmler-Ernst, Ed.D.
amika45@comcast.net
Amika Kemmler Ernst is a recently retired BPS New Teacher Developer with extensive experience as a classroom teacher, curriculum developer, and graphic artist. Her “We’re Learning Here” Project features images of everyday learning in our public schools, along with the words of the students pictured.