MSU T.K. Martin Center begins new school year

MSU’s T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability’s Project IMPACT Preschool has opened its doors for the school year after being closed for in-person classes since March of this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are so happy to be back physically open for the school year. There have been some adjustments, many changes, but overall, the teachers, parents and students are excited to see what the school year brings,” said Kasee Stratton-Gadke, center director.

Stratton-Gadke continued by saying that like many preschools across the region no family is allowed into the classrooms, so they drop off their children at the door after the morning temperature check is completed. In addition to pick up and drop off being at the center’s doors all staff are required to wear masks.  Due to the age of the students, they are not required to wear a face covering. The center’s staff also disinfect before and after every class and complete a heavy wipe down of all surfaces and chairs. Other procedural changes include morning temperature checks at the door for all preschool staff.

Stratton-Gadke explained that a few weeks before school began a virtual meeting for parents was held to discuss regulations for the COVID-19 pandemic. This was followed by an open house for parents and students to meet their teachers individually. She stressed that this year an open house was especially important due to the new regulations the center has implemented related to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“We wanted to make sure we had an open house so parents could still see the space that their child would be in and to have personal time to talk with our staff. The students were so excited to be back, so we were really happy to see them.  It’s been a long few months without them here.” Stratton-Gadke said.

She went on to say that given the unique population the center serves the staff trying to keep it as low risk as possible for their students.

“Everyone’s doing temperature checks at the beginning and end of each class, and we have 30 minutes between each class to do a thorough cleaning”, she said. “We have been so fortunate for the support of Mississippi State University’s custodial services helping us to keep our center as clean as possible.”

Despite all the new regulations and the uncertainty, Stratton-Gadke said that almost every student previously enrolled has returned.

“Our families realize the benefits of early intervention and appreciate what we’ve done to mitigate the risks as much as possible for their child coming in,” Stratton-Gadke said.

Christan Toney, who is a teacher at the center said that everyone at the center have worked closely with families to make sure everyone if comfortable.

“Everyone at the center knows the decision to send the children, including those who have immune system issues, back to school was a tough one to make,” Toney explained. “Which is why the teachers, assistants, and staff at the center have worked closely with families to keep an open line of communication.”

T.K. Martin teacher Traci Campbell echoed Toney saying that while there was some nervousness about the unknown at the beginning of the semester the overall feeling was one of excitement. 

“The excitement and readiness to get back into the classroom with our amazing students that helped us to overcome and make whatever adjustments were needed,” Campbell said. “In addition, it was much easier for us to make those adjustments, no matter how big or small, when your “team” works together as well as ours does.”  

In a typical school year, the center has three classes with approximately 7 students each morning and afternoon; however this school year, in order to keep class numbers low to properly social distance, they have increased the number of classes to three a day. Stratton-Gadke commended the center’s teachers and assistant teachers saying they’ve put in an enormous effort to help place parents’ minds at ease, including prepping almost every week of instruction for the entire school year. The thought behind this, she explained, is that if the need arises to go online the teachers can transition without any major hiccups.

“Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic it was easy to brag on our amazing staff at T.K. Martin and our preschool program, but this year has once again shown us that our teachers, teacher assistants, therapists, staff and families rise to the challenge and push forward to meet the needs of these young lives.”

If families are in need of services for a child under the age of three with developmental delays, the Project IMPACT preschool currently has openings.  Please call 662-325-1028 to learn more. 

Established in 1903, MSU’s College of Education is now home to six academic departments, one research unit and numerous service units. For more about the college, visit //www.educ.msstate.edu/.

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