Bassett High School alum Monique Rodriguez credited Bassett Unified’s early childhood education program for setting her on the path to personal and professional success, during a special ribbon-cutting ceremony held Oct. 30 for the Flanner Early Childhood Development Center.
“Because of this school district and my amazing parents, who have been nothing but supportive, I was prepared to take on life and go after what I wanted,” said Rodriguez, a recent college graduate who attended Bassett’s Erwin Child Development Center.
Bassett Unified marked the opening of Flanner – which is also the new home of the District’s early childhood education program – with a ceremony that brought together District staff, board members, community members and representatives of local, state, county and federal officials.
Guests toured renovated classrooms – which had new toys, furniture and carpeting – as students engaged in arts and crafts, identified the colors of the rainbow and learned about local plant life.
“We are fulfilling a commitment that we made to the Bassett community, which is to educate and empower our students to think creatively, act responsibly and communicate effectively in order to be successful members of society,” Child Development Programs Interim Director Rosie Ducoing said.
Serving 76 children ages 18 months to 5 years old, Flanner is the District’s seventh child development center. It offers full-day and full-year programs, incorporating Head Start and Early Head Start for the community.
“I want to thank everyone who participated in making this building happen – I know they say it takes a village to raise a child, but it takes a community to create a school for our children,” Board of Education President Dolores Rivera said.
CDC Education Supervisor Yolanda Orozco also read the children’s book “What Do You Do with An Idea?” by Kobi Yamada during the event.
“At Bassett Unified School District, we are working to provide a strong academic-rich early childhood program that instills in our children foundational learning skills – which will prepare them for success in school and in life,” Superintendent Debra French said. “By offering our children this support, we ensure that they are fully prepared when they arrive for their first day of primary school and create a foundation of a life filled with learning.”
PHOTOS:
TOP: Bassett Unified Board of Education Vice President Javier Romo and Board President Dolores Rivera, Superintendent Debra French and Child Development Programs Interim Director Rosie Ducoing celebrate the new Flanner Early Childhood Development Center with an Oct. 30 ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour of renovated classrooms and playground.
BOTTOM: Bassett Unified Early Head Start students gather in one of three new, interactive classrooms, complete with playing and learning centers at Flanner Child Development Center, Bassett Unified’s seventh center. The District celebrated the opening of the center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 30.
TOP: Bassett Unified Board of Education Vice President Javier Romo and Board President Dolores Rivera, Superintendent Debra French and Child Development Programs Interim Director Rosie Ducoing celebrate the new Flanner Early Childhood Development Center with an Oct. 30 ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour of renovated classrooms and playground.
BOTTOM: Bassett Unified Early Head Start students gather in one of three new, interactive classrooms, complete with playing and learning centers at Flanner Child Development Center, Bassett Unified’s seventh center. The District celebrated the opening of the center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 30.