Little Miracles Preschool creates big memories

CENTRAL VALLEY — There’s something magical that happens when teenagers spend time with preschoolers.

Perhaps it is the carefree exchange; or the giggles that erupted when they see each other.

Or maybe, it is the genuine warmth and caring the high school students project as they see their passion for childhood education unfold in the real world.

“The Little Miracle and Big Miracle program benefits both the kids and the teens," said M-W High School teacher and Little Miracles Preschool Director Lisa Pirraglia. The teens have so much to learn from the children. The children remind them to be youthful, patient and responsible. The kids learn to respect adults, socialize on a higher level and to listen to directions.

“The teens in the program are reminded to love unconditionally and to be kind by the examples led by the kids," Pirraglia added. "The kids are provided with structure and a higher level of thinking. We create a safe and secure environment for our students."

The Monroe-Woodbury High School students who “work” at Little Miracles Preschool, an onsite school located in Monroe-Woodbury High School, recently waved goodbye to the first preschool class of the 2015-16 school year.

With music performed by high school orchestra students, the preschoolers marched in a processional, splendid in their caps and tie-dyed gowns.

As friends and family members looked on, student teachers shared experiences and memories specific to each student. The ceremony concluded with a video commemorating the children’s time at Little Miracles. Students were sent home with a bag full of homemade projects and other memories from their time at Little Miracles.

“To see my Little Miracles graduate and move on to bigger and better things was so bitter sweet," said M-W High School student Brianna De Rosso. "I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to have instilled upon them certain skills that they will use for the rest of their lives, such as coloring in the lines or how to use scissors. I would feel no greater satisfaction than to see my students achieve a bright and successful future.”

Little Miracles is part of the Monroe-Woodbury High School Department of Family & Consumer Sciences Early Childhood Education classes.

High school students, under the direction of Pirraglia, work with the children during the ten-week program.

Little Miracles is in operation every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and is free of charge and open to all four-year-olds residing in the Monroe-Woodbury School District.

Visit http://mw.k12.ny.us/webpages/hfacs/little.cfm?subpage=9580 for more information and registration forms.

Registration is due back by May 6 for the 2016-17 school year.

This article and the photographs that accompany it were provided by Carole Spendley, communications specialist for the Monroe-Woodbury School District.