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Mount Vernon's littlest learners prepare for kindergarten through summer program

A young girl in a teal shirt and striped skirt points at a book held by a woman in a tie-dye shirt, with a whiteboard and a large screen in the background.
Mount Vernon's littlest learners prepare for kindergarten through summer program

Hip, hip hooray! Mount Vernon's littlest learners are on their way! This summer, the district is offering a four-week program to help young scholars get acclimated to kindergarten before the school year starts. 

The Kindergarten Transition Program is designed to support students as they move from Pre-K to kindergarten by building foundational academic, social and behavioral skills in a nurturing and engaging environment.

Through structured routines, early literacy and numeracy experiences, as well as opportunities to build independence, students gain the confidence and readiness needed for a successful start to their elementary school journey. 

“It's like a bridging over experience,” said Caiifa Clark, teaching assistant at Graham School. “They still get to build their skills as they transition into kindergarten, they're with peers of their own.”

In addition to sharpening academic skills ahead of kindergarten, the program fosters critical social-emotional growth. Interacting with peers from various schools allows young learners to build relationships and create new connections.

“One thing that we did different this year as opposed to previous years, is that they had lunch in the cafeteria,” Ms. Clark explained. “So, they got to transition because in kindergarten you do eat lunch in a cafeteria, as opposed to family style within the classrooms and pre-K. I think that's a big transitioning step that a lot of parents and teachers overlook when children are going into kindergarten.”

Each week, students are actively learning as they prepare for the next exciting chapter in their lives: starting their educational journeys in the Mount Vernon City School District.

Two smiling children, a boy in a Superman shirt and a girl in a colorful shirt, sit on a playground structure with trees and a building in the background.
A young girl with pigtails smiles while coloring a circle on paper at a wooden table, with other children and art supplies visible in the background.
A group of smiling children sit on a colorful rug in the foreground, with a classroom environment featuring shelves and tables in the background.
Two smiling young boys sit side-by-side on a blue playground slide, with a grassy area and playground equipment visible in the background.
A teacher helps two young children color a rainbow wheel at a table, with classroom shelves and artwork visible in the background.


 

Derrick Dunlap's headshot.
MVCSD welcomes Derrick Dunlap to the District as Traphagen's newest principal

Derrick Dunlap, a veteran educator with two decades of experience leading schools, improving student achievement and building strong school communities has been appointed principal of Traphagen Elementary School. Mr. Dunlap brings a diverse background in elementary and secondary education to the Mount Vernon City School District, having served as a teacher, assistant principal and principal in Washington, D.C., Maryland and New York. 

Headshot of Donald Peters.
Graham School welcomes a new principal with over 20 years of experience in education

Donald D. Peters is an accomplished educational leader with more than 20 years of experience in public education, specializing in instructional leadership, school improvement, special education, and student success. He currently serves as the Principal of Graham School, bringing a proven record of strengthening school communities, improving student outcomes, and cultivating a culture of high expectations and collaboration.

Principal Anjannette Brown Headshot
Longtime MVCSD educator Anjanette Brown appointed as principal of Denzel Washington School of the Arts

Denzel Washington School of the Arts’ new principal, Anjanette Brown, is a dedicated educational leader with 20 years of service in the Mount Vernon City School District, committed to creating schools where students are empowered, supported, and prepared to achieve their highest potential. Throughout her career, she has remained steadfast in her belief that education must nurture the whole child.

MV PTA members outside a building for their conference
Mount Vernon PTA Leaders and Parent Liaisons attend the NYS PTA Summer Leadership Conference

Leaders from the Mount Vernon Parent Teacher Association (PTA), parent liaisons, and school board trustees participated in the New York State PTA Summer Leadership Conference held on July 18-19 in Albany, NY. This annual event provided a valuable opportunity for attendees to engage in workshops designed to enhance their skills and collaboration efforts to better support students and families in the Mount Vernon City School District.