This article originally appeared June 12, 2009 on nj.com.
Manuel Mendez has a long way to go before he graduates from college. But the 5-year old Newark preschooler got a sense of what that day may be like when he donned a graduation gown and marched to the tune of "Pomp and Circumstance" as proud family members cheered for him.
Mendez is among 300 children graduating this week from The North Ward Center's preschools during five days of ceremonies packed with beaming parents, grandparents and siblings.
Graduation marks the beginning of an educational journey for which the children will be well prepared because of the education they received in preschool, said Stephen N. Adubato, the founder of The North Ward Center in Newark.
"We are giving children in Newark a brighter future by providing them with a high quality education at the beginning of their lives," Adubato said. "Most of our children are reading when they graduate from preschool. That's such a big advantage when they get to elementary school, no matter what school they attend."
Dorothea Williams said her twin daughters, Alexia and Leiloni, are already beginning to read.
"They did a really good job," said Williams, whose daughters will be attending kindergarten at Roberto Clemente School in Newark. "They are definitely ready for kindergarten. They've had a lot of preparation. They've come a long way in the last two years."
The graduation ceremonies, held under the tent on the grounds of The North Ward Center, stretched for five days beginning June 12 with the Forest Hill Development Center, a private preschool run by The North Ward Center. Those who attend the school pay tuition and can live outside of Newark.
"They prepared her really well for kindergarten," said Columbus Jones, of Nyack, N.Y., whose daughter, CiAann, 4, was among 12 graduates. "I'm amazed when she comes home from school all the things she knows."
Beginning Monday, the first of four graduation ceremonies was held for The North Ward Center's Abbott preschools.
Abbott preschools are free to 3- and 4-year olds who live in high-poverty cities like Newark. With more than 600 children enrolled in its program, the North Ward Child Development Center is one of the largest providers of Abbott preschool in the state.
Michele Sceppaguercio, who runs the North Ward Child Development Center, said this time of year is both a sad and happy occasion for teachers. Before the graduation ceremonies, each class performs a musical skit for the audience.
"We are sad to see them go, but we are happy that they crossed this significant milestone in their lives," Scceppaguercio said. "We know when our children leave here they will be well prepared for kindergarten and beyond."
Studies have shown that high quality preschool can have a significant impact on a child's future. Benefits include better standardized test scores, higher graduation rates, increased earnings, less crime, less teen pregnancy, abortion and tobacco use.
Studies have also shown that every $1 invested in high-quality preschool returns as much as $13 in the form of higher tax revenues and less expenditures for special education, welfare and the criminal justice system.
Adrianne Davis, the executive director of The North Ward Center, said the Child Development Center has graduated more than 4,000 preschoolers since its inception in 1975.
"The importance of a solid, educational foundation can't be overstated," Davis said. "Educating our young children is one of the most important functions we perform as an institution."
Francisco Tanez said he couldn't have been more satisfied with the education his 5-year old son, Francisco Jr., received at Forrest Hill.
"'I'm very happy with the school," Tanez said.
Tanez who lives in West Orange and owns a insurance company called E.S.T.I.R. on Bloomfield Avenue in Newark, said he wished he lived in Newark so he could send his son to Robert Treat Academy, the nationally recognized Blue Ribbon K-8 charter school founded by The North Ward Center.
"For him to go to Robert Treat was my dream," Tanez said. "But you can't win everything."
