Representative Town Meeting Special Meeting (linked)

‘ams provide an innovative
180 providing options 1

LEARN
Southeastern Connecticut’s Regional Educational Service Center,
serving the educational community for over 55 years.
Our Vision:
To ensure that every child has
access to high-quality public
education and opportunities Our Mission:
through equitable systems of * Pursue equitable and just systems of
education
* Build the skills and knowledge of the
educational community
education, support, and
service
* Design innovative, efficient, and effective
programs, services, and solutions

Current LEARN Schools
4 magnet schools in southeastern Connecticut,
serving approximately 1,400 students each school year
hig is a multicultural.
school where children can
learn about and be prou Our Schools:
different cultures. The \
celebrated diversity is very ©
important to our family. The
school community
emphasizes kindness and
nurtures an environment of.
open-minded, accepting * Regional Multicultural Magnet School
* The Friendship School
* Pre-kindergarten & Kindergarten, Waterford
individuals.” Parent of a :
‘student enrolled in a LEARN : * Kindergarten-Grade 5, New London
magnet-school. =
* Marine Science Magnet High School
* Grades 9-12, Groton
* Three Rivers Middle College Magnet High School
* Grades 11 & 12, Norwich

Current Early Childhood
The Friendship School, Rope Ferry Road. arford
Challenges
Leased building [2025 expiration]
Safety concerns on the school’s current campus due to tra
Unsustainable pre-kindergarten magnet school financial m
" Tuition based on parent/ caregiver income and capped by the
Connecticut
Changed educational landscape
" Achildcare desert [quality care for children under age 3]
. Pre-kindergarten now offered by area school districts
"An increased need for the region’s youngest special education
outplacement students

The Re-imagined Early Childhood J
with a focus on museum studies as a vehicle for delivering an International
Baccalaureate educational model
Student Population
574 children, 8 weeks to 7 years
"48 infant/toddler-aged children
"200 preschool-aged children
"100 kindergarten students
"105 first-grade students
"105 second-grade students
"16 special education outplacement students

The Re- -imagined
Early Childhood Magnet S
LEARN’s Commitment to the Town of Wate
LEARN will:
Re-establish the site as a well-respected, integrated scho
Assume all financial responsibility for the demolition of : d
environmental cleanup of the shuttered property
is currently §1.5M]
Invest in the neighborhood by designing outdoor learn
recreational activities with fully accessible P ye ounds :
= Town residents may use the outdoor learning spaces, activity I
playgrounds during non-school hours.
The facility will include indoor spaces for town residents to use during
non-school hours, as well.

RELIG INC TILA ICU al Ly
Scho :
“It’s a full-day, inclusive educational
environment where my young child learned
to manage feelings and resolve conflicts,
while also studying literacy and numeracy.
Teachers created a sense of community
within the school and classrooms so my
child could thrive.” Parent of a child
enrolled in a LEARN magnet school.
LEARN thanks the Town of Waterford, the Waterford
Public School System, and the residents of Waterford
for partnering with us to offer The Friendship School,
We hope that partnership can continue.