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Armour Elementary Adding Early Childhood Program Starting This Month

By Joe Ward | September 21, 2017 5:58am
 Armour School, 911 W. 32nd St., is offering free early-childhood programming beginning Sept. 29.
Armour School, 911 W. 32nd St., is offering free early-childhood programming beginning Sept. 29.
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BRIDGEPORT — Kids aged 5 and younger and their caregivers are invited to participate in "Family Fridays" at Armour Elementary as part of the school's efforts to increase its early childhood education and programming.

Beginning Sept. 29, Armour's branch at 911 W. 32nd Place will host early childhood programming that will run every other Friday, Principal Katherine Chuu said. Accompanied by their caregivers, kids 5 and younger will have playgroups, story time, art and music, and parent resources will be available as well, Chuu said.

The programming is part of Chuu's efforts to align Armour's programming and mission with the changing neighborhood, which has seen more young families in the area. It is also a means of outreach to the community, as Chuu is hoping to attract some of new Asian families in the area that might live near Armour but don't send their kids there.

"We intend to make connections with local families and support school readiness in early childhood students," Chuu said.

RELATED: New Armour School Principal: 'We're Going To Do Some Amazing Things'

The early childhood programming pairs well with Armour's new pre-K offerings, as the school opened a second all-day pre-K class this year. The second class was added in response to demand, and there is still a waiting list for spots in the program, Chuu said at an interview in early September.

Chuu said she wants the school's branch to be an early childhood education hub for the neighborhood.

"Early childhood education is a real foundation for school success," Chuu said. "That would be a really great resource especially as the neighborhood is gentrifying and more young families are moving in."

The early childhood programming is open to any neighborhood families with children age 5 or younger. It will run from 8 a.m.-9 a.m. every other Friday beginning Sept. 29 on the second floor of the building at 911 W. 32nd Pl.

Families can reserve a spot in the programming by clicking here. Reservations will be open until Wednesday.