San Rafael education program adds preschool

An early childhood education center in San Rafael is expanding to include more classes for younger children and extra support for families.

The San Rafael Early Learning Center at Short School occupies the former elementary school in the Gerstle Park neighborhood. San Rafael City Schools transformed the site last fall, opening five transitional kindergarten classes for 4-year-olds.

The classes have about 20 students each, including two classes that are dual-language with Spanish. In addition, the school offers two transitional kindergarten and kindergarten classes for special education students, and two early intervention classes that are the equivalent of special education for the preschool set. Individual interventions such as speech, occupational or physical therapy are also available.

Starting in August, the nonprofit Community Action Marin will add two preschool classes with a total enrollment of about 32 students ages 3 to 5. The nonprofit focuses on supporting lower-income children and families, including those that are enrolled in other government assistance programs such as CalFresh and MediCal.

“At Community Action Marin, we’re honored to partner with San Rafael City Schools to share a space where learning, belonging and possibility come together for young children and their families,” said Chandra Alexandre, chief executive of the organization.

“Our family advocates will strengthen trusted relationships and assist with the transition from preschool to transitional kindergarten,” Alexandre said. “Working with SRCS teachers and leaders at the campus, Community Action Marin staff will bring wraparound support to all families.”

Carmen Diaz Ghysels, superintendent of San Rafael City Schools, said it also will expand its services this year to include an afterschool program. The new hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“We were elated to open the early learning center last year and had a very successful school year,” Diaz Ghysels said. “We are now thrilled to have our longstanding partner CAM join us at the center.”

With the Community Action Marin classes up and running, “the San Rafael Early Learning Center will be fully operational with all classrooms open on the first day of school,” Diaz Ghysels said.

Alexandre said the partnership between the school district and the nonprofit “will ensure that children from families of low income can access free and affordable high-quality early education, while also getting support across the whole family and laying the foundation for lifelong learning and stability.”

Community Action Marin also will offer parents and caregivers financial education workshops, including credit reports and access to tax support.