Pre-K, Head Start programs announced for Bethel

BETHEL — School Administrative District 44 directors on Monday evening were given details about the prekindergarten and Head Start programs to be housed at Crescent Park Elementary School in Bethel in the fall.

The district has partnered with Community Concepts to help with the start-up of programs designed for 3- and 4-year-olds.

Kim Bessette of Community Concepts told directors what the programs will look like.

The Head Start program at 21 Flat Road in West Bethel will be moved to Crescent Park School. Three-year-olds will attend three full days a week.

In the prekindergarten program, up to 16 4-year-olds will attend classes five full days. Community Concepts will fund eight slots and provide comprehensive services to the students’ families.

Services will include assistance with health care, dental care, nutrition, setting goals and two home visits per year for each family.

“Our whole intent is to help parents who may have struggled with their own schooling be part of a school community and build it as a community,” Bessette said.

A preschool education grant and funding from Head Start and Community Concepts means the district can provide the programs for a fraction of what they would normally cost.

“This is the way to run a pre-K program,” Superintendent David Murphy said.

In other business, the district has received a $15,000 Northern Forest grant to help pay for a wood pellet boiler at Crescent Park Elementary School.

SAD 44 includes the towns of Bethel, Greenwood, Newry and Woodstock. Other towns and unorganized territories pay tuition for their students to attend the schools in Bethel and Woodstock.

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