PORTLAND, Texas — Gregory-Portland ISD gave the community a first look at their new Early Childhood Learning Center after the grand opening ceremony Saturday morning.
Superintendent Dr. Michelle Cavazos said this is the only campus of its kind in the entire state of Texas that will teach early learning for both pre-kindergarten and kindergarten grade levels in one school.
After two years, Gregory-Portland ISD's 54-million-dollar Early Childhood Learning Center will open its doors to its first class this fall.
Principal Robin Rice said this innovative center will provide students with a unique learning experience through hands-on activities and lessons.
"Primary purposes for this building, allowing them to be little just little longer and allowing them to expand their horizon outside of the traditional classroom," Rice said.
Teachers will use 18 state-of-the-art classrooms with different themes.
"The ways that the teachers package those skills and they're packing their skills in such a way that the concept of the room are built into the room say in learning their letters and their sounds and their numbers and things of that nature," Rice said.
Brittany Dominguez and Besty Soto are excited that their children will be among the first students to attend the new center.
"All the rooms are surprising. I did not expect it to be like this activity wise," Dominguez said. "I thought I was going to send him to Pre-K the first time, pen and paper and it's basic learning. But this is totally different, I love it."
"From the market area to the farm to the doctor area, there are a lot of cool places. My favorite room is the fairytale room," Soto said. "I think it's going to be a nice different way of learning."
Sandra Ruth has taught for 16 years and says this center will make a difference in the young students life by giving them all an equal opportunity to learn beyond the books and desks.
"I think it's going to give them a lot of background knowledge, a lot of experiences that they wouldn't be able to experience if they're not traveling, they might not be able to experience that," Ruth said. "So, bringing those experiences here to school and making learning so much fun and exciting."
After seeing the student walk in for the first time to their new classrooms, rice says she can't wait for the school year to start.
"Watching them say wow or their eyes light up. And sometimes they fall into complete silence out of awe, I think." Rice said. "Just excited to come to school here and learn."
The first day of school for GPISD's Early Childhood Learning Center is August 8, 2024.
For more information on registration, visit Gregory-Portland ISD Early Childhood Learning Center website here.