Deborah Prescott | Daily Press Melissa Kressin’s kindergarten class at the Webster Kindergarten Center in Escanaba is learning with programs like Envision Math, The Leader in Me and Unlock the Reading Code. The Webster Kindergarten Center houses all kindergartners and beginergartners in the Escanaba district.

ESCANABA — The former Webster Elementary School has went through many changes since last spring. Now called the Webster Kindergarten Center, the building currently houses kindergartners and beginergartners exclusively — a plan approved by the Escanaba School Board earlier this year.

Making the change a reality was no small feat. School administration and community volunteers gathered together to create a new playground. Construction of cubbies was completed before the opening day of school. New bus routes were created. Krista Johnson, principal of the Webster Kindergarten Center, watched it come together throughout the summer.

Children have been at the school for almost a month, and there have been some challenges.

“We had approximately 20 children per class, instead of what we thought we would have,” said Johnson, “We were allowed to open up another section and move children into that class. Before moving the children we spoke with their parents.”

Classes are back to the promised 16 to 18 students per teacher ratio. Becki Leisenring is the teacher of the new kindergarten section. Leisenring was previously a reading assistant at the school for 10 years.

“It was an easy transition for the children, being they all know her,” said Johnson, “She has early childhood experience, Title I experience.”

Transportation was another factor that took some getting used to. The Webster Kindergarten Center has become somewhat of a “hub” between the center, Soo Hill and Lemmer elementary schools.

“The first week it took 30 to 40 minutes to get all the kindergartners and beginergartners on the buses,” said Johnson, “it only takes 10 minutes now.”

Lunch times are staggered due to the size of the lunch room. Children from six to seven classrooms eat at the same time and each lunch period lasts 30 minutes. During that time they also learn manners and have conversations with the other children.

The center has created easier collaboration and sharing of information, benefiting the teachers, according to Johnson. Programs Johnson promotes at the center include, The Leader in Me, Envision Math and Unlocking the Reading Code.

On Friday, the center will have an assembly on Spirit Day, tying in with Homecoming Week at Escanaba High School.

The Webster Kindergarten Center has 13 classroom teachers, a special education teacher, a speech therapist, occupational therapist and physical therapist, a behavioral interventionist, a Title I reading instructor, program aids-classroom assistants, a library clerk, one art teacher, one music teacher and two physical education teachers. The children have access to iPads when needed.

“There are three carts, each with 20 iPads per cart,” Johnson said.

“We have only been in the center for a month and I’ve had nothing but positive feedback,” said Johnson.