Thread: Immigrant program copes with loss of grant

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MOUNT ANGEL

Immigrant program copes with loss of grant

Preschool has served migrant students for past 28 years

OMIE DRAWHORN | SPECIAL TO THE STATESMAN JOURNAL

Sowing Seeds Migrant Preschool teacher Tatiana Hansen (center) takes roll as Uliyana Cam and Fayena Reutov watch.

BY OMIE DRAWHORN
Special to the Statesman Journal

June 1, 2005

Most 5-year-olds are shell-shocked when they walk into school on the first day of kindergarten.

A new world awaits them, and for most, it takes time to adjust. This is especially true for children of migrant families, growing up with a different language in the home and sometimes facing a language barrier in school.

For the past 28 years, Sowing Seeds Migrant Preschool has been there to help make that transition easier. But that might be about to change.

Today, 48 Russian and Hispanic children at Sowing Seeds use two classrooms at Mount Angel Middle School to learn how to socialize with other children while studying ABCs and numbers and preserving their native language through games and exercises.


Over the years, the program has been supported by grants through the Willamette Education Service District. Because preschools are not mandated, there are no funds available from the state, which is why migrant preschools are funded through grants, said Maureen Casey, Willamette Education Service District superintendent.

But this year, priority for the grant was given to three other districts: North Marion, Newberg and McMinnville. That leaves Sowing Seeds without many options for survival.

"Sowing Seeds is a priority to us," Casey said. "But so are other programs."

She said that preschools in other counties have shown interest in receiving grant money, but they say that Sowing Seeds receives support every year. The three programs serve more than 100 students compared with Sowing Seeds' 48.

The grant would distribute $90,000 between the top three programs. Sowing Seeds costs about $50,000 per year to fund, Casey said.

"Sowing Seeds is a wonderful program and deserves to continue," she said.

Parents of Sowing Seeds children are determined not to let their preschool go under.

"This is the one and only Russian preschool (in our district)," Ksenia Reutov said. "It gets our kids ready for kindergarten; they really have nowhere else to go."

The Hispanic children possibly could divert to Head Start or Early Head Start, comprehensive child development programs serving children from birth to age 5, pregnant women and their families.

But Evlin Vasquez, a parent of a Sowing Seeds student, was not pleased with her child's experience at Head Start. Also, only 60 percent of children eligible for Head Start get into the preschool.

"When you compare this program to kids in day care, it's a different, more healthy environment," said Laura Cortes, another Sowing Seeds parent.

The parents agree that the program isn't about just playing; kids actually learn there.

They go into kindergarten already knowing how to read, Elena Kratskov said.

Kratskov said she wants her daughter to have the same opportunity as she did. She went to Sowing Seeds preschool as a little girl, with the same teacher, Tatiana Hansen, who has taught there for 25 years.

"Just to think that my daughter can't have this is so sad," Kratskov said.

Cortes said her son started crying when she told him he couldn't go to Sowing Seeds next year.

Parents agree that the language component of the preschool is important.

Ninety percent of the class is taught in the students' native language, Reutov said.

"The Russian language is getting lost; English is so easy for kids to pick up," she said.

Hispanic parents agree.

"In the real world, knowing two or more languages can help you get a better job," Cortes said. "It can help get you out of the migrant level into a high social level of work. It's very important for the community if you want people to be successful."

Casey said Sowing Seeds is welcome to apply for the two-year grant again next year. But Reutov said parents are concerned that once the preschool shuts down, it will be hard to reopen.

The staff at Willamette ESD is working with Sowing Seeds, writing letters to 90 local businesses for funding and searching for other grants and sources of funding. They also are looking into fund raising, which may include a plant sale.

She said the parents have indicated that they would provide as much support as needed.

Kratskov said that parents already provide extra support.

"Each week, two parents are assigned to come in and bring snacks," she said. The parents also help out in the classroom, she said.

Casey said many parents of preschoolers across Oregon are dealing with the same situation as Sowing Seeds.

"There are more children designated as 'high need' than slots available," she said. "Is there more need than funding available? Absolutely. Is it fair? No."

Omie Drawhorn, Silverton AppealTribune, odrawhor@salem.gannett.com or (503) 873-8385.

COPING...................................

That's truly an AMERICAN skill. Wonder how long it will take them to catch on to it?

Parents agree that the language component of the preschool is important.

Ninety percent of the class is taught in the students' native language, Reutov said.

"The Russian language is getting lost; English is so easy for kids to pick up," she said.

Hispanic parents agree

PAY FOR IT YOURSELVES just as my family did!

PAY FOR IT YOURSELVES!

Time to send these freeloaders packing. What the hell are we accepting these illegals for if all they are going to do is be nothing more than a burden on our tax dollars? Round them up and send them home. Send Vicente a massive must pay bill.