COVID-19 impacted our community’s youngest learners. With schools shutting down across the city, many children could not have a preschool or kindergarten experience. In August, SPEF concluded its Summer Start 2021 program, providing 163 preschoolers with engaging classroom activities, combined with theme-based, hands-on projects and fun field trips to build math and literacy skills, all following Connecticut Core State Standards. Preschoolers had an opportunity to learn classroom routines while interacting socially with fellow rising SPS students. The Summer Start experience helps lessen the anxiety and stress children may have when starting their first formal schooling.