$45,000 grant given to DISD pre-K schools to help students learn

A grant will give hundreds of pre-k students in Dallas a better learning environment, with $45,000 being split between two schools.

While the Texas state legislature considers the idea of funding full day pre-K schools in Texas, the Arlington Park Early Learning Center in Dallas is an example of what is happening in Dallas ISD thanks to private-public partnerships.

The PNC Bank Foundation, along with the United Way of Dallas, presented a $45,000 grant to DISD at the Arlington Park Early Learning Center on Thursday.

It’s one of two DISD full-time pre-K schools.

The money will be used for general education materials and to build a playground. The goal is to assist in preparing young children, many of them bilingual, for successful entry into kindergarten.

Maura Aranda’s 4-year-old granddaughter loves the school.

“She absolutely loves it! And it’s good for her. It’s really good for her because they’re starting these kids early and it’s for the future,” Aranda said.

“When you have an investment like PNC just made, it shows that there is some significant public-private partnerships that we can build as well, because more people realize the long-term benefits of high-quality pre-K,” DISD Trustee Miguel Solis said.

As part of the celebration of the grant money, the children were treated to a visit from Sesame Street’s bilingual friend, Rosita.

The PNC Foundation also provided 10 books to each of the 100 students at Arlington Park.