STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Marshall Early Learning Center Preschooler Ny'Ala Lewis
Student loves learning, playing with others
Posted: December 19, 2024
Ny'Ala Lewis starts the school day off right and enjoys it until the last bell.
The preschooler at Marshall Early Learning Center revels in both the indoor learning atmosphere and the outdoor playground area.
"I like to play," Lewis said. "I like to learn and go to stations."
Those stations include activities such as dramatic play and building with blocks, which are part of the classroom routine students are learning.
"We can build a house," Lewis said.
Newport News Public Schools Preschool provides 4-year-olds a high-quality early childhood experience in preparation for kindergarten readiness. Families can apply starting in March for students who would enter preschool in the fall.
In a classroom at Marshall, Lewis sat in a blue beanbag chair that was one of a bunch around the outer two edges of a white rug decorated with brightly colored handprints. Low shelves of children's books lined the rug against the wall on the other two sides. Small tables and chairs take up the other half of the room.
Marshall staff members describe Lewis as a confident, outgoing and energetic student. She has a love for learning and displays many characteristics of good citizenship, they added.
"Ny'Ala's a class leader," said Yvonne Poulson, preschool teacher. "She helps other students learn. She really, really loves school. She comes in bubbly every day - happy."
Lewis is ready to start the day with morning experiences and stations.
"When we go to morning meetings, she's always ready to share," Poulson said. "And she loves to read books."
Lewis' favorite story is an alphabet book that helps students to learn their letters. She loves making friends and playing together with other students both in school and on the playground.
Marshall's playground includes a toy train that is a particular favorite.
"I like the slide and I like to climb on the monkey bars and hang upside down," Lewis said. "I like to go on the choo-choo train and press the thing on top and make the noise inside the choo-choo train."
Outside of school, Lewis enjoys playing with her mother and has a new dog at home.
What's the best thing about Marshall?
"Learning," Lewis said.
