Editor, The News:

Harry W. Lockley Kindergarten Center, within the New Castle Area School District, is where approximately 280 5- and 6-year-olds attend school with a goal to graduate from kindergarten and transition to first grade.

This goal is not taken lightly by the staff at Lockley, and we strive to meet the Pennsylvania kindergarten standard to prepare our young learners for first grade using developmentally appropriate practices for 5- and 6-year-olds.

The developmental needs of our student population are diverse and we strive to meet each child’s individual needs by teaching a curriculum which addresses all areas of development including communication, problem-solving, fine and gross motor skills as well as social-emotional skills.

Debra DeBlasio, principal, has provided professional development on teaching our students about becoming leaders and the meaning of respect as a basis for always trying their best and being successful in kindergarten.

We take pride in our students’ achievements at Lockley and we have the data to show that they continue to be successful in first grade.

The success we continue to have with our students would not be possible without the respect and support of our superintendent, George Gabriel, and his administrative staff. So it is disheartening when we read letters to the editor which continue to demonstrate a lack of respect for the New Castle administration.

Even the most recently hired teachers earned the respect of their peers and the administration through commitment to the district and the students they served.

“All I really ever needed to learn, I learned in kindergarten.” The members of the New Castle Area School Board who continue to show a lack of respect for our district when discussing our superintendent are invited to visit Lockley and review the concept of respect.

Lori Doran

early literacy coach

Lockley Kindergarten

Center