New preschool puts high school students at the front of the class

Wareham High’s new preschool has high school students switching to teachers as they aid in the education of around 17 kids from just under three months to 5-years-old.

High School Principal Scott Palladino said establishing the preschool started about a year ago by renovating an old science classroom to fit the kids’ needs — where they also turned an old closet into a bathroom.

“We wanted to give the kids a more hands-on, elective [class],” Palladino said.

While establishing the preschool, the high school’s early childhood class began to prepare anyone interested in helping at the preschool. Palladino said the class taught a variety of things while students learned the “science of preschool”.

“The students spent time reviewing the curriculum for the material that would be taught and assisted with setting up the classroom to ensure it had a proper flow and was organized effectively,” Palladino said. “Just two weeks ago, everything in the classroom was still in boxes. Over the course of the two weeks prior to the preschool students’ arrival, the students worked to unpack, arrange, and prepare the space so it would be fully ready for learning.”

Junior Sophia Nasciments is one of the high schoolers helping out and while she has only had a few weeks of hands-on experience in early education, she said the class has been fun.

“I love it, they’re always fun to hang out with,” Nasciments said. “They all love to read and play and they’re all good kids.”

With graduation still a few years away, Nasciments said she isn’t sure what she plans on doing after high school but working with kids could be one avenue.

Nasciments’ classmate Jossalyn Anctio agreed with her, the first few weeks in the preschool have been fun.

“It’s really interesting to see how they act,” she said.

Anctio said she wanted to join the class because she wants to study psychology in college and working with young kids might be the niche she explores.

“I think working with these kids will help me know if I want to work with them when I’m older as a therapist,” she said.

Paraprofessional Kristen Woodside said having the high schoolers in the class has been helpful in getting the preschool started.

“They jump right in and play with the kids,” Woodside said. “It’s going to be great, I’m really excited.”

Woodside added the experience the high schoolers are getting in the preschool will help them start to build foundational skills in early education.

“They’re going to learn how to teach kids, play with kids and take care of kids,” she said.

Anyone interested in signing their young child up for the preschool can call Wareham Elementary at 508-291-3555.