(Photo Above by Timothy J. Park)
Redmond School District (RSD) has unveiled its new early learning center which aims to gather all the town’s kindergarteners under one roof in an innovative approach at the remodeled site of the former Hugh Hartman Campus on SW Rimrock.
The Redmond Early Learning Center (ELC), the first of its kind in Central Oregon, will provide kindergarten to students from all five in-town elementary schools in the building, which has been repurposed to create 18 classrooms that can accommodate up to 500 students. In addition, select pre-kindergarten programs are offered on-site.
District officials say the goal for the center, designed by BLRB Architects and built by Griffin Construction, is that it becomes a “hub” where children from birth through age six and their families can access the early learning and developmental opportunities and supports “that enhance their ability to succeed” and a recent dedication ceremony celebrated Redmond’s investment in the future of the community’s youngest learners.
The intention is to house kindergarten from all in-town schools (John Tuck, M.A. Lynch, Sage, Vern Patrick and Tom McCall) on campus and to expand the center to provide access to pre-kindergarten programs and resources in partnership with other agencies.
RSD Communications Coordinator Kelly Jenkins said the center provided equitable access for children and families by offering a “one stop shop,” that is centrally located within the community, and is also looking at partnerships with groups such as Head Start, Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE), Public Health, Healthy Beginnings and many other agencies.
Principal Desiree Margo, said in K-5 schools sometimes the importance of kindergarten is overlooked somewhat, adding: “As we look at the readiness of our students coming into kindergarten, we have some concerns here in Oregon and beyond.
“We can keep do what we’ve been doing and get the same result, or we can say we’re really going to invest in early learning in Redmond. We know that when we do that, we will have more students that are graduating”.
She said teachers will receive the same training and plan lessons together, so there is more consistency, and having specialists in one building means students who need extra attention are more likely to get it expediently.
The district says early education is key to better high school and college graduation rates.
“Research all up and down the scales reveals that if students can’t read at or above grade level by third grade, then the likelihood of them graduating diminishes,” observed Superintendent Mike McIntosh. “And we believe that having all students centrally located will be key to success.
“In order for Oregon to reach its 40-40-20 goal and close opportunity gaps, communities must work together to create a truly seamless system of education for all children. This requires early learning, K-12, and health providers to partner with each other in identifying opportunities to collaborate, align work, and leverage resources in support of families.
“Redmond School District has decided to take a bold step in this direction in opening an early learning center for the Redmond community.”
The emphasis on early learning and development is one that is growing steadily in Oregon. Despite spending $1.7 billion dollars on programs for children and families – across early education, healthcare, and human/social services – 40 percent of children reportedly arrive at kindergarten underprepared for academic success.
Programmatic goals at Redmond ELC include personalization of the learning experience, and the creation of learning and play spaces on a scale tailored to young children.
The school expects to enroll about 400 students this year. Kindergarten classes at schools in Terrebonne and Tumalo, which are part of the Redmond School District, will remain in place due to distances involved.
Early steps toward bringing the center vision to reality included establishing leadership and the development of a planning team consisting of a variety of stakeholders including community members, designers and district team members.
Over the summer crews reconfigured classrooms and bathrooms at the former charter school site to make them fit kindergartners and added security features so that visitors are screened before entering the building.
BLRB’s Senior Interior Designer Mindy Lyman said creative features such as crafted clouds and circles helped reduce the scale of the more cavernous traditional school building, while tasteful acoustical fixtures toned down volumes.
Modern LED lighting and colored reflective window coverings and color coded spaces aiding way finding also helped engender a fun and playful environment, while an expansive exterior play area complete with “trike trails” opened up opportunities for “intentional play.” The former library is now a community room which will be a focal gathering point.
The Redmond School District serves more than 7,000 students from Redmond, Alfalfa, Crooked River Ranch, Eagle Crest, Terrebonne and Tumalo. The district currently operates five K-5 elementary schools; two K-8 community schools, two middle schools, one charter school, one educational center and two comprehensive high schools. Its mission is to ensure rigorous and relevant instruction which leads to mastery and the development of productive citizens.
For more information, visit http://www.redmond.k12.or.us/about/early-learning-center/.
