Preschool students at Jerome Green STEM Preschool will now actively engage in coding and computer science as part of their everyday learning, making the campus the first early childhood program in Michigan to implement a comprehensive, state-aligned Computer Science for All (CSforALL) plan.
Owned and operated by Saginaw Intermediate School District (ISD), Jerome Green STEM Preschool serves young learners through Early Head Start, Head Start, and Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) classrooms. This new initiative ensures that children enrolled in these programs will experience hands-on, developmentally appropriate coding instruction integrated directly into their daily learning environment.
This means four- and five-year-old students won’t just use technology — they will build foundational coding skills through play-based robotics, sequencing activities, pattern recognition, problem-solving challenges, and collaborative projects. Students will develop computational thinking skills that strengthen literacy, math, creativity, and confidence from the earliest stages of learning.
Jerome Green STEM Preschool recently completed the Strategic CSforALL Resource and Implementation Planning framework, known as the SCRIPT, in collaboration with Cheryl Wilson, Computer Science Consultant with the Michigan Department of Education (MDE). With this milestone, Jerome becomes the first early childhood campus in Michigan to complete a comprehensive strategic computer science implementation plan designed specifically for preschool learners.
“This is what innovation looks like in action,” said Dr. Erin Senkowski, Deputy Superintendent of Saginaw ISD. “We are incredibly proud of the leadership at Jerome Green STEM Preschool for believing in doing things differently and for having the courage to pilot first-of-their-kind work right in the center of Saginaw. When we talk about expanding possibilities for students, this is exactly what we mean: starting early, leading boldly, and trusting our educators to break new ground.”
The CSforALL SCRIPT serves as a multi-year roadmap outlining 3, 6, 12, and 36-month goals focused on curriculum integration, leadership development, teacher professional learning, and infrastructure. The framework ensures computer science instruction is thoughtfully embedded in ways that are sustainable, impactful, and appropriate for young learners.
Importantly, this is not about increased screen time. Computer science at the preschool level emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and structured problem-solving, which are foundational skills that support long-term academic success.
This accomplishment reflects strong collaboration across classroom educators, school leadership, district support, and state-level expertise. Team members contributing to this work include teachers Jessica Theile, Sandra Rabadue, Elaina Hewitt, Jennifer Steckly, and LaToya Sewell; Jerome Green STEM Preschool Principal Corey Nichols; and Cheryl Wilson, MDE Computer Science Consultant.
A special thank you is extended to Mark Lyons, Saginaw ISD’s Program Director of Instructional Technology & STEM Integration, whose leadership, guidance, and expertise were instrumental in advancing this initiative and supporting staff throughout the planning process.
“Completing this work is a significant step forward not only for Jerome Green STEM Preschool, but for early childhood education across Michigan,” said Corey Nichols, Principal. “We believe students are capable of far more than we sometimes give them credit for. Our preschoolers will be exploring coding and problem-solving in ways that are joyful, hands-on, and developmentally appropriate.”
By completing the CSforALL strategic planning process, Jerome Green STEM Preschool is helping establish a statewide model for what early childhood computer science education can look like. The work reinforces Saginaw ISD’s commitment to innovation, equity, and preparing students for a rapidly evolving digital world, beginning at the very earliest stages of learning.
ABOUT SAGINAW INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Saginaw Intermediate School District (ISD) is an educational service agency that provides effective and innovative leadership, services, resources, and programs throughout Saginaw County. Saginaw ISD provides career and technical education, early childhood, finance, human resources, instruction, pupil accounting, special education, technology, and transportation services. In addition, Saginaw ISD operates multiple educational programs to meet the unique needs of students ages birth to 26 across Saginaw County, including: Hartley Outdoor Education Center, Head Start/Early Head Start and Great Start to Readiness Programs, Great Lakes Bay Early College, Saginaw County Juvenile Detention Center School, and Special Education Center Programs.
Saginaw ISD serves 12 local school districts, four public school academies, and 22 non-public schools, with a total enrollment of approximately 26,000 students. Public school districts supported include: Birch Run Area Schools, Bridgeport-Spaulding Community School District, Carrollton Public Schools, Chesaning Union Schools, Frankenmuth School District, Freeland Community School District, Hemlock Public School District, Merrill Community Schools, Saginaw Public School District, Saginaw Township Community Schools, St. Charles Community Schools, and Swan Valley School District.
MEDIA CONTACT
Coty Kuschinsky - Saginaw ISD Chief of Staff and Communications Director