A great adventure awaits the pre-k and kindergarten students of the new early childhood education center in Pearl River—a move to a brand-new school building in October.

Little Pearl Elementary School, located on U.S. Highway 11, will focus on the young learner, the new student. “We are opening the world to these children. This is their first experience with school and we want to make it a fun, happy, positive time,” said Dr. April Whitfield, principal of the new school.

Many of the parents have been pointing out the new school to their children on the way to their temporary facility at Riverside Elementary, said Whitfield. The two schools are about a mile apart.

Whitfield said the community named the school. “We want the community to be proud of, and a part of, the school,” she said.

Although the children will start the year at Riverside Elementary, they have different uniforms and a kid-friendly logo of a river mollusk, similar to a clam or oyster, opened, holding two little pearls, a girl and a boy. Students will name the pearls after they move into the new school.

Whitfield’s hope is the school will create life-long learners. A firm believer in the concept, she feels she is still learning as well. A nationally certified early childhood generalist, Whitfield holds a doctorate in curriculum and instruction. She feels that it is important to always learn more and this adds to her abilities as an educator.

Whitfield has always worked with early childhood students. For three years she served as assistant principal at Cypress Cove and before that, she was at Honey Island Elementary for 14 years. “I taught reading. It’s so exciting to see a child read for the first time, participate in learning and working with other children,” Whitfield said.

Many of the nine teachers for the new school have been at Riverside Elementary. Whitfield said they have been meeting during the summer to plan the school year and prepare for the new school and eventual move. Although registration figures are not available, the school is expected to house about 160 students.

The new $8 million nine-acre facility has been designed to cater to 4-year olds and kindergarten students and their needs. It is funded by the 2004 bond issue.