Members of the Maries Gasconade chapter of the Missouri Retired Teachers Association met for their bi-monthly meeting on Oct. 6 with a tour of a new educational program being offered in the Gasconade County R-2 School District. 

Retirees from Gasconade County R-2 and both Maries R-1 and R-2 school districts began their meeting with a tour of the new preschool area at Owensville Elementary School with Dr. Staci Johnson, assistant superintendent, sharing details about these new programs which are funded partially with grant money, according to retired GCR2 educator Jean Baker,

This includes a daycare facility for children of faculty and staff members of the Gasconade County R-2 district which opened in August for the inaugural year of the program. There is capacity to accept newborns to toddlers, who then move into the toddler room until potty trained, which allows them to move into the preschool program.

The GCR2 district is investing in providing this service to help with teacher retention and recruitment, according to Baker who now serves as a director on the GCR2 Board if Education. Almost half of the teachers in the district are in their first five years of teaching, and this allows parents to have affordable, convenient daycare providers on their same calendar, staffed with professionals with experience in early childhood care. 

“I wish we had this available when I was teaching and had small children,” on of the retired educators commented.

This was the sentiment of the entire group, according to Baker. The rooms were bright and child centered.  Another reason for creating this service is that national data shows a child in a preschool program is more likely to go into kindergarten prepared for learning, most of the time, being ahead of the curve.

After the tour, the retired educators went to the Owensville Church of Christ for a baked potato and salad bar lunch, and held their usual business meeting. During each meeting, the former teachers and administrators collect food items for the local food pantry, as well as items and monetary donations to go to CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) to help with their birthday gift supplies. The next meeting will be held Monday, Dec. 1, at the Vienna Methodist Church with the Vienna group hosting.

If you are a PSRS or PEERS retiree, the group invites you to join their group. For more information, contact Jean Baker at 573-259-1302.