Did you know that South Dakota is one of six states that still lack a state-funded preschool program?
Did you also know that the Hot Springs School District, for years, has valued the opportunities associated with preschool by providing the program to the children of Hot Springs without funding from the state or charging parents? Did you know that Hot Springs’s current preschool program was recognized as an Exemplary Preschool of Excellence by School Administrators of South Dakota (SASD)? Areas considered for that recognition include: Relationships, Curriculum, Teaching, Assessment of Child Progress. Health, Teachers, Family and Community Relationships,
Physical Environment, and Leadership and Management.
Did you know that the school district has had to “turn away” families of preschoolers because we do not have enough sections to accommodate the young learners in our community?
Every dollar invested in early childhood education yields $8 in return for South Dakota communities in the future (National Conference of State Legislatures).
Studies show that preschool can give young children a head start on reading and math skills and socialization that are key to later success in school.
Kids' brains absorb the most knowledge in their toddler and early childhood years, and their interaction with math and reading at ages 3 and 4 will only enhance their skills. Research also indicates that students who attend preschool are more likely to graduate.
Investing in Hot Springs School District’s Preschool Campaign is not only an investment for our students, it is an investment in our community and growing the minds of our young students, helping prepare them to be successful citizens. The Class of 2039 is waiting for our community’s support.
Funding for an additional full time preschool teacher/section of preschool starting in the 25-26 school year: $60,400
*School District receives $0 funding for preschool students.
*One section of preschool costs approximately $3500 per student.
*School District receives approximately $7500 for K-12 full time students enrolled with the district on “count day” (the last Friday in September).
*ULTIMATE GOALS:
*School enrollment numbers increase by 27-28.
*The community retains our young families.
*Recruitment and Retention tool for Hot Springs employers for families with young children.
*Early childhood education impacts the overall academic success of the Hot Springs School District.
Our goal is to raise $60,000 to fund one additional section of preschool at $3500 per child in school year 25-26. Some of these preschoolers would enter kindergarten in school year 26-27, therefore the need would be estimated at half of the amount for school year 26-27. The school district receives state funding for kindergartners so this effort would become self-funded in school year 27-28. Campaign ends June 30, 2025
Link to our GoFundMe site:
Checks could be brought to the administration office to avoid the 3% fee that GoFundMe charges.