PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The ACAP Head Start class at SAD #1 spent a week in October learning about fire safety, which culminated in a visit to the Presque Isle Fire Department.
“This was the ideal time to visit the fire station because October was Fire Safety month,” said Petrina Clough, Head Start teacher. “We’ve been practicing fire evacuations at our new site and one of the children was talking about her mommy using a fire extinguisher at their house.”
The week began with classroom activities. Students learned about the gear firemen wear, studied “stop, drop and roll” and safety around hot objects, and practiced fire evacuations.
The PIFD field trip included special guests Tim Prescott, PIRCTC director, and Jason Parent, ACAP executive director/CEO. Adam Rider and other fire personnel assisted the children in climbing aboard the fire truck, and they enjoyed watching the emergency lights, listening to the siren and watching the firefighters dress in their gear.
“The children loved cheering for the fireman as he climbed the 105-foot ladder and reached the top,” said Clough. “The week was filled with fun activities, but also instilled a healthy respect for fire and how to avoid danger. We are grateful to the Presque Isle Fire Department staff who volunteered their time to work with our students.”
This year ACAP and SAD 1 have come together to provide a preschool Head Start program at the Presque Isle Regional Career and Technical Center (PIRCTC). The partnership classroom at SAD 1 is ACAP’s first preschool classroom that will serve children six hours a day, four days a week, for the public school year.
“We know from research that providing more time for children to engage in meaningful, quality learning opportunities leads to higher outcomes, which leads to school readiness and future school success,” said Sue Powers, ACAP’s senior manager for early care and education programs. “This partnership classroom will provide longer duration of program services throughout the school year.”
“PIRCTC is very pleased with this expanded partnership,” said Trudy Gorneault, PIRCTC early childhood development teacher/coordinator. “Our partnership allows for improved quality education for both my ECE students and for the Head Start children.”
Clinton Deschene, SAD 1 assistant superintendent for business, added, “Cooperative efforts between not-for-profits like this are a necessity. As our two entities try to grow and improve, it is essential that we collaborate in a way that is cost effective for all involved. The District is excited at the potential this partnership will bring and in the end it is a benefit to the children of our community.”
For more information, call Debbie at 768-3045 or 1 (800) 432-7881.
