Back to School '24: Pre-K program launches at Barrett Elementary

The Steel Valley School District is excited to introduce its in-house Pre-Kindergarten program, which will be operated out of Barrett Elementary. There will be two classrooms in the kindergarten wing dedicated to Pre-K students. Each classroom will be staffed by a teacher and a paraprofessional.

Pre-K students will enter the building at 8:30 a.m., where they’ll be given breakfast. Their day will start at 9 a.m. and end at 2 p.m. Students will have breakfast and lunch in their classrooms. Longtime district partner MUSA will offer after school programs for Pre-K students at Barrett to accommodate parents who can’t pick their child up right away at dismissal.

Students will begin building their foundation for learning through a curriculum purchased by the district while also getting to enjoy play time and socialization with their peers. Pre-K students will follow the district schedule, so they will go to school five days a week unless the district has an in-service day or the day off.

Barrett principal Mrs. Kimberly Winters said that Pre-K helps remove some of the stress and anxiety young students experience when going to school for the first time. The separation from their parents and guardians can be difficult. Exposing students to the classroom environment early, helping them learn how to share and cooperate with their classmates, and start building that educational foundation can lead to greater success in kindergarten and beyond.

Enrollment has been strong and will be capped to preserve an appropriate student-teacher ratio. If you are interested in Pre-K at Steel Valley, please reach out to registrar Ms. Tiffany Vranick at 412-464-3600 Ext. 2700. Enrollment packets are available on the district website.