Seguin ISD Approves Second Pre-K Campus in Bold Nature-Based Pilot Program
(Seguin) — Seguin ISD this fall will be stepping off the beaten path and into nature with the approval of a new pilot program aimed at expanding pre-kindergarten opportunities for local families. During Monday’s special meeting, the school board voted to launch a second early childhood campus for 3-and 4-year-olds in partnership with the Will Smith Zoo School (WSZS), a nationally recognized outdoor learning program affiliated with the San Antonio Zoo.
Set to open this fall at the district’s Irma Lewis Outdoor Learning Center (ILOLC), Pete Silvius, Seguin ISD’s director of whole child initiatives says the nature-based pre-K campus will mark a major step in offering non-traditional, research-backed learning environments that promote both cognitive and emotional growth during a child’s most formative years.
“We will be a pilot program that I believe is going to take recognition from all over the state and probably in the nation. It’s going to be a unique model. And so, I see this as being something that we can build upon. I anticipate that we’re going to be able to increase enrollment, increase capacity of the nature school that is at the Irma Lewis Outdoor Learning Center. And again, all in the name of trying to provide an education that is meeting the needs of some of our students that might not have their needs met otherwise. So not everyone has found their way into public education yet. And I’m really intrigued by the opportunity that this could pose to look at public education in a different way to meet those unique needs, said Silvius.
Zachary Stingl, director of the Will Smith Zoo School (WSZS/San Antonio Zoo) says the program will operate on a half-day (or even possibly a full day) schedule with an anticipated enrollment of 30 students: 15 in the morning and 15 in the afternoon. Seguin ISD will handle student registration and reporting, while WSZS will staff and run the instructional programming. He says the model is designed not only to expand access to pre-K education, but to alleviate existing waitlists and introduce families to an alternative, experience-rich educational path.
“We cycle in and out of the classroom. We follow pre-k guidelines, but we take all of those learnings and we make them nature based. So they are still learning their reading, their letters, their phonics – all the number sense that they need but all of those experiences in nature work collaboratively – changes their experiences such as they are asking more questions independently or doing their own (PBL) project based learning activities so we are going above and beyond pre-k guidelines so when they are going to kindergarten they are more than ready,” said Stingl.
Stingl adds it’s immersive outdoor learning at its best.
“We right now spend 70 percent of our time outside so when we do our math lessons – when we do our phonics work or whatever science items we are working on, we do that outside. What we do is we start outside. We do a morning routine, some carpet work, but then we transition outside for the lessons. We do this when it’s breezy, when it’s raining, we make it work. We acclimate it to life outside and enjoying what it provides. When it comes to math manipulatives because a lot of families are always asking what are you providing for math, we actually have collections. We will go out and collect different things – objects, textures – we will classify them and then we will use them for counting (or phonics). We will group them. So, for pre-k it just lends itself so smoothly to life outside,” said Stingl.
District officials note that this public-private partnership is made possible under state rules that allow early childhood collaborations between school districts and private providers. Through a shared Average Daily Attendance (ADA) funding model, Seguin ISD will receive state reimbursement for eligible students while WSZS supports instruction with its curriculum, teachers, and classroom materials.
Under the pilot plan for the Seguin site, Seguin ISD will receive 15 percent of ADA funding while the Zoo School retains 85 percent to support operational costs.
Interim Superintendent Liz Banks says while they are covering their costs, the goal here is an educational opportunity, not profit.
“There is going to be a lift for Seguin ISD. I just don’t want you to think that the kids are going to show up and there’s not going to be any responsibilities added to staff. I just want to make sure that that is clear. We are not doing this to make money, obviously. You can tell we are doing this in such a way that we don’t lose any money for this one-year pilot. I just want to be transparent about that,” said Banks.
Amanda McMickle, vice president of education at the San Antonio Zoo, says pilot studies from similar programs have shown remarkable benefits. She says young learners are displaying improved problem-solving abilities, increased confidence, and stronger friendships. This she says are all key indicators of kindergarten readiness.
“The message that we’re sending to the students is that we’re all in this together for them. I think when you see public/private come together, that’s the message. It’s like we’re not just throwing our hands up and saying, ‘we’ll see how this goes.’ We’re sending the message that we’re working for you or fighting for you. And I think what the nature-based kind of offers, it combines academics and then the opportunity for children to develop an emotional relationship with the natural world that is kind of a miss. You know, right now our kids are feeling like — adults too — our heads are in the clouds. There’s a lot happening. And so, when they can connect to their place and understand where they’re coming from, then they’re happier, they’re healthier, they grow to be smarter. And we don’t know what the future looks like, right? But we do know we’re going to need thinkers and really confident thinkers. And that’s what nature-based learning is,” said McMickle.
Among those helping to facilitate this partnership as a contractor is Michelle Hartmann, deputy superintendent for Fort Davis ISD. Hartmann says she is excited about this new opportunity here in Seguin and hopes families
“I want everyone to know that you are kind of leading the way in the state of Texas and with a focus on also making sure that we reach all students of Seguin ISD, meaning students that might be of, financial challenges – disabilities – really, there’s no limitation on the students that will have this opportunity,” said Hartmann.
Silvius says he is thrilled to finally see this plan come to fruition. In fact, he says it was almost one year ago when he first heard of this type of public/partnership on public radio while in West Texas. He says during that program, he heard Hartmann sharing her success with a similar program in her district.
“When we took on the Outdoor Learning Center, the commitment that I made to the board and the commitment that I made to the community, was that I’m going to seek as many ways as possible to get more kids out there and to make that place sustainable for generations to come. And I think that this is one of those steps in the right direction to really be innovative, to leverage some of the rules that exist within our state funding system, to really provide a program that’s going to be unique and lives up to the expectations of our community,” said Silvius. “So, there’s no question that it’s a bold venture that we’re going to do. But you know what? That’s what we do in Seguin. We’ve always done bold things that meet the needs of our kids. And so, this is one more step in the right direction. This is how we do school in Seguin. We’re constantly looking for what is the best way to provide for our kids. You never hit that milestone of completion. We always have to be looking for what’s next, what’s next, what’s next? And I believe that this is the what’s next?”
The new pre-k-based program will cap off at 20 full-day or 40 half-day students. Online registration is set to open in August.
Priority enrollment will go to eligible students under the state’s pre-K criteria. Following Monday’s approval, district officials took the first steps by hiring staff and planning for facility preparation.
Interest forms and flyers will soon be available on the district’s website and social media pages. Specific details, including whether or not transportation will be provided, are now being determined and will also be released as soon as possible.