By Dr. Sarah Baray, Pre-K 4 SA CEO

As we begin a new calendar year, I find myself reflecting proudly on all that Pre-K 4 SA’s children, families, educators, and community partners achieved together in 2025.

While every year brings progress to celebrate, this one stands out as a powerful reminder of what is possible when we invest in early learning and prioritize giving children the strongest possible start.

Starting a New Chapter in Early Learning

One of this year’s most significant accomplishments was celebrating the opening of the new South Education Center. This state-of-the-art Center is more than a new building; it is a reflection of our commitment to the city’s youngest learners and their families, as well as educators and the future of San Antonio.

The new South Center is a critical investment in expanding access to early childhood programs in a part of our city that’s considered a child-care desert. By bringing programs directly into communities with limited options, we are meeting families where they are and ensuring more children have the opportunity to begin their educational journey with confidence.

The South Center also includes infant and toddler classrooms, aligning with our mission to bridge educational gaps and ensure children in San Antonio have a strong foundation for future academic success.

Driving Exceptional Outcomes Across the Board

This year, Pre-K 4 SA children exceeded national readiness thresholds in cognitive, literacy, and math measures. These results reaffirm what we observe every day: children thrive academically, socially, and emotionally in joy-filled, high-quality early learning environments. Our educators continue to set a standard of excellence, producing outcomes that will guide a generation of children through their educational journeys.

Supporting Families Beyond the Classroom

Throughout the year, we also expanded our collaboration with community organizations across our centers. From mental health support to family resource workshops, these partnerships ensure that families have access to the tools and services they need to thrive. We know that children learn best when their families feel supported. By working together with trusted partners, we are enriching the whole-family experience in meaningful and lasting ways.

Building Community With Every Gathering

In November, we hosted our 7th annual Family Reunion at Morgan’s Wonderland, welcoming thousands of current and former Pre-K 4 SA families for a day of laughter, learning, and celebration. Watching children giggle with glee and families form bonds with one another and staff in such a joyful setting reminded us why community is at the heart of everything we do. Moments like these strengthen the bonds that support a child’s growth long after the school day ends.

We closed out the calendar year with a December full of family-friendly events, including our Open House, Pop-Up Shops, Celebration of Lights, and family-led learning experiences. These activities brought together families, children, and staff in ways that highlighted the joy of learning and the warmth of community. Every smile, every shared moment, and every creative discovery served as a reminder of why our work matters so deeply.

Looking Ahead to Another Year of Possibilities

As we look forward to 2026, I am energized by the progress we’ve made and the possibilities ahead. Thank you to every family that’s been with us on this journey, every educator who brought their passion and expertise into the classroom, and every partner who helped us strengthen our impact across the city. Together, we’ll continue opening the door to possibilities for each child, each family, and the communities we serve.

On Saturday, November 8, over 1,500 adults and 1,600 children gathered at Morgan’s Wonderland for Pre-K 4 SA’s 7th annual Family Reunion, an afternoon of fun and connection for past and current Pre-K 4 SA families. 

Morgan’s Wonderland is a one-of-a-kind, accessible amusement park with rides, attractions, and activities for people of all ages and abilities—ensuring everyone in attendance could experience all the park has to offer. 

While children played, laughed, and explored the park, their families had the opportunity to connect with vendors representing a number of local partners including The Children’s Shelter, various City of San Antonio departments, SAWS, and several community health organizations. 

Rockstar—Pre-K 4 SA’s mascot who made a debut at last year’s Family Reunion—was on site to hand out famous high-fives and photo ops, and was joined by other partners’ mascots including SAPD’s McGruff the crime dog, Tower of the Americas’ Tori the Tower, and more. 

 

Since the first event in 2019, Pre-K 4 SA’s annual Family Reunion has offered an outlet to celebrate our impact on the communities we serve, and an opportunity to build lasting bonds between families, educators, school staff, and community partners.

 

 

Family Reunion is just one of several opportunities our Family Engagement Team creates each school year to build community among families we serve. 

Stay tuned to our events calendar for more upcoming chances to connect and celebrate being part of the Pre-K 4 SA community.

Winter break is coming up soon, bringing a great opportunity to relax, reset, and get ready for the rest of the school year. The holiday season is also a busy time that can pose challenges for families and disrupt routines that children develop during the fall semester.

See a list of tips, tricks, and activities that can help keep children and families happy and healthy while encouraging continued learning over the winter break.

Staying Healthy During Winter Break

Colds, coughs, and the flu are more common during the winter months. Help your child stay healthy by:

• Washing hands often with soap and warm water.
• Covering coughs and sneezes with elbows, not hands.
• Getting plenty of rest and eating nutritious foods.
• Keeping your child home if they have a fever or are not feeling well. A flu shot is also a great way to protect your family this season!

Bundle Up for the Weather

As temperatures drop, please make sure your child comes to school dressed warmly — coats, hats, and mittens help keep everyone cozy during outdoor play. Layers work best for chilly mornings and warmer afternoons! Here are a few additional tips to keep your family safe and comfortable this season:

• Encourage children to stay hydrated 
• Supervise children during outdoor play and limit time in extreme cold.
• Keep an emergency kit in your car for winter travel.

Holiday & Winter Safety Tips

Enjoy a safe and happy holiday season by:

• Keeping small objects, batteries, and ornaments out of young children’s reach.
• Using lights safely and turning them off before bedtime.
• Supervising children around candles, fireplaces, and holiday cooking.
• Taking time to rest and recharge as a family.

Early Literacy Opportunities Over the Break

Visit your local San Antonio Public Library for free early literacy programs, story times, and take-home activities! Families can also check out books about winter, holidays, and kindness to keep young minds learning over the break.

FIND LIBRARY EVENTS HERE

Maintaining Healthy Routines

Keeping a consistent routine over the holidays helps children transition back to school smoothly:

• Maintain regular bedtimes and wake-up times.
• Offer healthy meals and snacks rich in fruits, veggies, and whole grains.
• Encourage daily movement — dancing, walking, or playing outdoors.

Family-Friendly Winter Fun

Explore San Antonio this winter!

• The DoSeum offers free admission on select community days.
• San Antonio Museum of Art is free on Tuesdays from 4–7 p.m.
• Visit local parks for nature walks, scavenger hunts, or picnic lunches (weather permitting).
• Make winter crafts or bake together for a cozy indoor day.

Check out this link for more places to visit during the winter in San Antonio.

Healthy Winter Recipes from CHEF

Keep family meals nutritious and fun this season! Try these child-friendly recipes from CHEF, Culinary Health Education for Families.

 

Look for simple recipes you can make together, like veggie soups, smoothies, and healthy snacks.

Highlights of the School Year

• We celebrated the grand opening of our new South Education Center on the city’s South Side, which for the first time includes infant and toddler classrooms in addition to our preschool-program.
• Our students once again exceeded national readiness thresholds in cognitive, literacy and math measures, confirming the strong impact of high-quality early education at Pre-K 4 SA.
• We held a successful Open House event in December 2025 for families to visit all our centers, meet staff, and engage in community-building.
• Many of our centers partnered with community organizations to bring extra resources and support to families—helping beyond the classroom and strengthening the whole family’s learning experience.
• We expanded access to early childhood programs in a child-care “desert” area of San Antonio—making high-quality early learning available where children and families needed it most.
• Our calendar of family-friendly events included the “Family Reunion”, “Celebration of Lights”, and themed learning opportunities—all designed to bring families, children, and staff together for joyful learning.

We are so proud of our growth and success!

Pre-K 4 SA’s Gracias San Antonio: Children Are Citizens spans most of each school year, teaching children about the joy and importance of civic engagement through art and exploration.

One of the key tenets of Gracias San Antonio is that children are not just future citizens—they’re current citizens, capable of voicing their opinions and contributing to our city’s civic and cultural life.

Throughout the four-part Gracias San Antonio program, children:

1. Learn about local charitable organizations and vote for one to support
2. Explore San Antonio landmarks and connect to the world around them
3. Collaborate with local artists to create art pieces inspired by their exploration
4. Share their artwork in a public gallery and online auction which benefits their chosen nonprofit

Civic Engagement Lessons Lead to Gracias Election

Each year, Pre-K 4 SA staff submit three to four local nonprofits for consideration on the Gracias ballot.

Once the charities have agreed to participate, children, families and staff learn about each organization in the month leading up to the Gracias election. On election day, which coincides with actual local and national elections, children vote for which organization they’d like to support.

This provides a chance for teachers to engage children in concepts of community involvement, volunteerism, and the role that charitable organizations play in our city. It also helps them understand that each election is a chance to express what type of change they’d like to see happen in their community.

Children Vote to Support The Children’s Shelter

This year, children and families voted to support The Children’s Shelter, an organization committed to prevention and intervention for families and children who have experienced abuse and neglect.

Established in 1901, The Children’s Shelter has served San Antonio children and families for over 100 years. In addition to providing emergency shelter in times of crisis, The Children’s Shelter also provides trauma-informed counseling and social work services, as well as recruit, train, and support foster families.

City Explorations Inspire Art Collaboration

During each fall semester, classes go on city explorations to local cultural and natural landmarks, where they’re given the freedom to play and explore what interests them. Children’s families are also invited to attend city explorations, creating opportunities for them to get to know each other and build community together.

Then, children take their experiences back to the classroom, where volunteer artists help them turn their inspiration into unique art pieces they create together as a class.

Through this process of exploration and creation, children reflect on their experiences and work together to interpret them creatively. It’s a fun, engaging process that promotes cognitive development, self-expression, and collaboration.

Art Exhibition and Auction Benefits Chosen Charity

By April, the children’s art pieces are completed and displayed at a public exhibition. The artwork also goes into a two-week online auction, and all proceeds go to the nonprofit that children chose to support at the beginning of the school year.

This part of the program brings the process full circle, giving children the chance to feel the pride of seeing their work on display and helping them connect the dots to see how their combined efforts can make a difference in their community.

This academic year’s Gracias San Antonio: Children Are Citizens exhibit goes on display on Thursday, April 16, 2026. Stay tuned to our website and social channels for more information.

Once a year the entire Pre-K 4 SA staff gathers in the same room for Convocation to start a new school year. The theme of this year’s Convocation was becoming. Lately, I have been thinking a lot about this idea because at Pre-K 4 SA, we have been and still are on the journey of becoming.

The Idea of Becoming 

Becoming is such a simple word, yet it carries so much weight. Becoming speaks to the idea that none of us is ever finished. We are always in the process of becoming something more, new, or different. It is a word full of movement and momentum, never content to stay the same. Becoming is the heartbeat of growth and the quiet drumbeat of transformation.  

Here are three questions to ask yourself: 

What if who you are today is not the final version of you? 

What if you are still unfolding, still stretching toward your fullest self? 

What if…we are all still becoming?

The Vision of Pre-K 4 SA 

More than a decade ago, a group of visionary leaders in San Antonio came together as part of the Brainpower Taskforce. They asked a bold question: What would it take to change the future of our city by investing in our youngest learners? They dared to imagine a city-funded, early learning initiative to provide high-quality prekindergarten and lift the quality of early education across San Antonio. 

The mission of Pre-K 4 SA has not changed. We will continue to provide high-quality early learning and build a strong educational foundation for San Antonio’s future. This was our WHY then and it still is today; yet the HOW has changed, but this is a good thing.  

At Pre-K 4 SA, we have grown, learned, and listened. This includes responding to evolving policies, studying the latest research, and supporting evolving needs of children, families, and staff. What began as four model Education Centers has blossomed into a powerful ecosystem inclusive of professional learning, community grants, and systems-level leadership. 

Our schools have grown to serve not only four-year-olds, but also three-year-olds. Our Gardendale site includes children all the way through second grade, and our new South Education Center will soon begin welcoming infants and toddlers. We have become a model of high-quality early learning that spans the entire early childhood continuum. 

Pre-K 4 SA is not what it was in 2012, and it will not be what it is today in 2032 because we are always becoming. Each of our schools, departments, and partner programs are living, breathing communities of becoming.

The Impact of Becoming 

No team stays static. Every challenge, change, and new colleague adds something new to the dynamic. When we choose to be open to learning, to listening, and to growing, we can help each other become. Working together as an organization, we become more responsive, courageous, and innovative. This leads to transformation. 

Now, becoming is not always easy because it can be uncomfortable. We are asked to stretch beyond what we know and to admit we do not have all the answers. But this is exactly what we ask of children daily. Children stumble, try again, trust, and take risks. So, we should do the same, right?

The Goal of Becoming 

For this upcoming year, I remind you that you are not finished because you are still growing and becoming. We are all still becoming. Let it guide you through the hard days and the high-fives, the meetings, the laughter, and the learning.  

Let it remind you this work we do is shaping lives, which is the most powerful becoming of all. On behalf of Pre-K 4 SA, thank you for being part of this extraordinary journey with us. 

— Sarah Baray, Ph.D.

CEO

Summer in San Antonio means sunshine and fun, but keeping young learned engaged can be a challenge. That is why we have put together a list of free and affordable summer activities for families.

Continue reading

Pre-K 4 SA’s impact extends well beyond the classroom. With a deep commitment to supporting both children and their families, Pre-K 4 SA regularly collaborates with local partners to make essential resources more accessible. As we approach the end of the year, it’s a good time to reflect on how these partnerships help bridge the gap between home and school.

H-E-B

In March, Pre-K 4 SA partnered with H-E-B and the San Antonio Food Bank to host produce giveaways at all four education centers, as well as the Gardendale Early Learning Program. These events promote healthy eating habits among young children and improve access to nutritious food.

Each participating family received a 25 lb. box containing a mix of shelf-stable groceries—such as dry and canned goods—and a bag of fresh produce during pickup times.

San Antonio Food Bank

In May, Pre-K 4 SA and the San Antonio Food Bank teamed up for a produce giveaway exclusively for families enrolled at Pre-K 4 SA and Gardendale Early Learning Program. This event was especially helpful in addressing gaps in food access when school meal programs are unavailable. Along with a bag of fresh produce and non-perishable items, families also received information about food assistance resources available in the community.

Health and Wellness

To support children’s health at the start of the school year, Pre-K 4 SA partnered with Christus Children’s to offer free immunizations and health screenings. Services included:

• Tdap vaccines for expectant mothers and families
• Minor illness checks and wellness exams
• Sports physicals
• Health and safety education
• Assistance with Medicaid and CHIP applications

Additionally, Pre-K 4 SA worked with University Health to provide vaccines ahead of the new school year and partnered with Viva Health to host a resource fair for families.

WIC

To further improve access to nutrition assistance, Pre-K 4 SA brought WIC representatives to Pre-K 4 SA centers to issue benefits, help families transfer to a convenient WIC clinic, and assist with appointment scheduling.

Car Seat Safety

 

San Antonio State Trooper lead an informative session on car seat safety for Pre-K 4 SA families and staff. The trooper shared important tips on proper installation, positioning, and guidelines for different ages and stages, helping caregivers better understand how to keep young children safe during travel.

Water Safety with Miss Tristan

Pre-K 4 SA has partnered with the Miss Tristan Foundation to offer a free, 13-week water safety program for children and their families. Developed in collaboration with Austin-based nonprofit Collins Hope, the curriculum teaches life-saving skills to help prevent childhood drowning. First piloted in 2022, the program reflects the Miss Tristan Foundation’s mission to raise awareness and save lives through water safety education.

At Pre-K 4 SA, supporting families is just as important as educating children. By bringing vital resources directly to the centers, Pre-K 4 SA ensures families have access to food, health care, and community support. These efforts reflect a strong commitment to meeting families where they are—strengthening the connection between school, home, and community.