Superintendent of Perry Township Schools
A week does not go by in Perry Township Schools that the topic of early childhood education surfaces.
Study after study reinforces to us a foundational fact that children who begin school with a love of reading and a keen understanding of basic math concepts will continue their academic success throughout the school year.
We will soon break ground on kindergarten centers located adjacent to Rosa Parks, Jeremiah Gray-Edison, MacArthur and Homecroft elementary schools. The bricks and mortar will not be attached, but the structures will be connected through a covered, enclosed walkway. This investment in early childhood education is truly an investment into the future.
Bids are in for the centers at Homecroft and MacArthur, and we are scheduled to start construction April 4 at those sites.
Bids are due April 21 for the Jeremiah Gray and Rosa Parks centers, with construction set to begin May 4.
Building these kindergarten facilities will finally allow us to give our other grades the room they need within our schools to keep up with the district’s growth, especially in the elementary grades. Our teachers will finally have adequate space to instruct their students.
The completion date for all four centers is July 2017. This move opens up more than 60 classrooms in our elementary schools.
Winchester Elementary is under construction, and the metal wall framing in the office area is complete.
Workers have already started masonry facing on the school. The fire protection piping in the office was completed in late February, and the interior drywall sheathing in the office was started in early March. Crews are also working on ceramic tile. The target date for completion of the fourth- and fifth-grade wings and office is May.
On behalf of the children we want to thank you for your support. Your financial support of this school district provides a clean, safe and healthy environment. That’s why your support through our most recent referendum is so vital to meeting the needs of our students. For that kind of support we are especially grateful.