Mobile learning bus makes debut for Barren County students

BARREN COUNTY, Ky. – Barren County Schools has officially launched the Tiny Trojans Bus with a ribbon cutting.

On Friday, the state-of-the-art preschool classroom on wheels made its debut to the community.

The bus includes learning centers, teaching technology and hands-on equipment, helping their youngest students in their first years of school, according to a release by the district.

Veteran preschool teacher Denise Rose will be the lead teacher for the bus.

She expressed her excitement about the project, “The Tiny Trojans Bus is the perfect way to reach those early learners in the community and spark their love for learning. It will provide parents with opportunities to ask questions and learn about the preschool program, and it will also allow us to build relationships with those families. The mobile classroom will provide many learning opportunities as we work to bridge the gap and prepare each one to become kindergarten-ready.”

The district says the bus was funded through a grant from the Kentucky Department of Education Office of Special Education and Early Learning. The Tiny Trojan Bus aims to ensure all children, regardless of their location or circumstances, have access to early learning experiences that lead to kindergarten readiness.

Christa Middleton, BC Schools director of special programs, said, “The Tiny Trojans Bus is the realization of a vision first imagined by our former director, Cynthia York. We knew we needed an innovative approach to offer services to children who were not yet enrolled in preschool, and we decided if they couldn’t come to us, then we could go to them. When the Kentucky Department of Education offered the Early Learning Bus Grant, we knew it was the perfect opportunity to make the dream of a mobile classroom into a reality.”

The district says its goal is to close the gap between current and future academic performance.

Superintendent Amy Irwin says, “Barren County Schools is committed to helping every child in our community begin kindergarten prepared and excited to learn. With the Tiny Trojans Bus, we can reach even more children, especially those who haven’t had the opportunity to experience any formal schooling.”

The mobile learning bus will travel to multiple locations throughout the county to supply school readiness.