When Jenni Deramo is asked about her family’s experience in the Park City School District, she talks about the growth she sees in her children, James, nearly 9, and Olivia, 5. She sees their character, curiosity and confidence taking shape, alongside academic growth. Both children have benefited from PCEF-supported programming at Trailside Elementary, from Preschool to PACE (Program for Academic Challenge and Enrichment.)
As a pediatrician, Jenni touches on the science behind early education and how early learning builds more than just skills.
“You go from being a very adorable, but mostly nonfunctional baby to being a walking, talking, reading, writing, fully functional person by the time you're six,” she said.
Preschool gives young learners a place to explore the “why?” questions that come with curiosity about the world around them. They learn empathy, how to interact with peers, and become motivated to learn in a school setting.
“At preschool they sing about Tiny Turtle Tim for the letter T,” Jenni said. “They do motions, bring objects from home and create art. All of that sensory input allows them to solidify the sound. When we started reading at home, it was easy. She could make the sounds and then you just make them faster and you’re reading.”
Olivia thrives in the preschool environment. She’s learned and benefitted from social emotional growth through kindness and genuinely loves her teachers.
“She’ll tell me one of her little friends had a hard day, and she gave them a hug,” Jenni said. “It’s wonderful to hear in an age when we worry about kids being good to each other to see this promoted and encouraged so early.”
As students grow kindergarten-ready and then beyond in their elementary years, that same curiosity deepens. Jenni noticed this with James by how he has been challenged and grown as a third grade student through the PACE program.
In PACE (Program for Academic Challenge and Enrichment), students have the opportunity to explore the curriculum further. Jenni noted, “James researched Mars – writing about it, presenting it to classmates, and building a model. That multimodal learning and learning to work independently is wonderful,” she said. “Those are skills he’ll take forward.”
She has noticed a shift in how he thinks and asks questions. “I think he’s moved beyond asking ‘why’ and started asking ‘how’ things work.”
Jenni spoke about how encouraging it is to see teachers challenge James to research a little more and find his own answers. They see when students are capable of more and can stretch the thought process. “His teachers push him to go deeper; they don’t let him say, ‘The book was good,’” she said. “They would instead ask, ‘Why should I read it?’”
Jenni is also an active volunteer at Trailside. She serves as the PTO Health and Wellness officer, helping organize the Boys and Girls Running Clubs, Bike to School Days and the Running with Ed exchange at the school.
Experiences like these have made a lasting impression on Jenni and her husband as parents. They value the enrichment and opportunities available through Park City’s public schools and see the impact of supporting PCEF programming across the district.
When asking why the community and families should support PCEF, Jenni’s answer is simple. “The best and most impactful donations you can make are to our country’s future – our children,” she said. “They are going to grow up and be the leaders of our communities. To allow them the opportunity to learn well when they’re young can only benefit all of society.”
PCEF provided the initial funding and long-term support for both the Preschool and PACE programs throughout PCSD thanks to generous donors. When you register or donate to Running with Ed, your contributions help fund Classroom Grants and innovative educator-inspired initiatives. Running with Ed is May 16th and early bird registration opens March 16th – visit RunningwithEd.com.
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