It was Graduation Day for 22 preschoolers at Twin Valley High School on Friday, May 29.
Some have been together for several years. Dressed in yellow caps and gowns they were led to the stage by their student instructors and Child Development Instructor Mrs. Lynda Berdan to receive their diplomas.
Their smiles were contagious. Parents were beaming too with tears in their eyes.
“It’s a unique program that we offer to children starting at ages 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 in our pre-school lab both mornings and afternoons. It brings tears to my eyes every year. Some students have been with me for several years,” said Berdan.
“I have been teaching this class for eight years and it doesn’t feel like going to work. I love it,” she added. “A recent note I got this week from a child’s parent says it all.” She continued,
“Dear Mrs. Berdan, Thank you for planting the seeds for learning in Rihanna this year. We watched her bloom right before our eyes. We truly appreciate the program you run and the guidance you provide for your students, as well as the children in your care. Our only regret is that we didn’t discover your program before my older children had the opportunity to enjoy it,” writes Mrs. Melissa Shumate.
“The only other school that I know of that offers this program is Boyertown High School,” said Berdan.
It is a two-fold program. What makes it unique is that we offer the program to high school students as an elective under the umbrella of our Family and Consumer Sciences.
Most high school students who are accepted into the class are interested in going on to teaching. They are also called upon in the community as baby sitters and hired at daycare learning centers.
In the class they function as advisors to the children and help to run the classes. Younger children work with TVHS student teachers from the Family and Consumer Science program in a safe environment under the watchful eye of Mrs. Berdan. Children learn how to cooperate with other children within their age group, as well as integrate with challenged children. It is a child centered environment. The children are assisted to shine with their own special talents.
The TVHS students learn about child cognitive skills, gross and fine motor skills, as well as arts and music for their appropriate ages. They translate this education to caring and teaching the preschoolers manners, socializing and writing their names, among other things.
One of the things Berdan hears the most from the community is that they were not aware of this opportunity for their children. Information is now available at the local libraries.
Currently Berdan has developed a brochure and is hoping to expand the program to more students. Enrollment is open and the cost is minimal per semester. For more information you can reach the Twin Valley High School at 4852 N. Twin Valley Road, Elverson, or call 610-286-8600 or email lberdan@tvsd.org. Visit http://www.tvsd.org/Pages/default.aspx.
