West Islip’s littlest Lions graduated preschool on May 23, the culmination of a year in the Little Lions preschool program, run at the high school in conjunction with the Early Childhood Education program. High school students enrolled in the program act as student-teachers for the preschoolers. This year, over 40 high school students participated, some of whom started their education in the Little Lions preschool themselves. Many of the seniors who completed the program and graduated in June plan to pursue education as a major in college this fall. 

“For me, the best part of the program is watching the development of both the preschool and high school students and seeing the impact they have on each other,” said teacher Nancy Silvestrini, the program’s coordinator. “It always amazes me how much they learn from each other and the experience that stays with them for years to come. Much luck and success to the 2019 graduating preschoolers and student-teachers.”