Preschool programs earn ExceleRate Illinois Gold Status

At its Aug. 24 meeting, the District 131 Board of Education and Superintendent Robert Halverson recognized the district’s early childhood team after all four District 131 preschool sites earned ExceleRate Illinois Gold Status, the state’s highest standard of quality in early childhood education.

Halverson first recognized Executive Director of Early Childhood Rosary Horne, who was joined by preschool building leaders and staff members representing the district’s four preschool sites.

“Building a strong educational journey begins on day one, and tonight we are thrilled to celebrate a remarkable milestone for our youngest learners and their families,” Halverson said.

The recognition followed an extensive monitoring process that reviewed program requirements, student records, staff credentials and classroom practices. Preschool for All and Preschool for All Expansion classrooms also underwent three-hour observations using the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale, or ECERS-3.

District 131 performed especially well in interactions and program structure, earning districtwide scores of 6.0 and 6.07 in those categories. Teaching teams also earned six perfect scores of 7.0 across five classrooms.

During the presentation, Dr. Tonetta Davis, principal of Mabel O’Donnell Elementary School, explained how difficult perfect ECERS-3 scores are to achieve.

“Scores of seven on individual items and in categories are unicorns. Most programs only dream of them,” Davis said.

Horne was joined by preschool building leaders Annette McMahon, principal of Oak Park Elementary School; Davis; Susan Orozco, principal of the Early Childhood Center; and Maritere Wise, principal of “Aries” Gonzalez Child Center.

Assistant principals, teachers and other early childhood staff members were also recognized for their work in helping all four preschool sites achieve Gold Status.

“Achieving this level of excellence requires intentional leadership, passionate educators, and a relentless commitment to our students from the very start,” Halverson said.