Ypsi early learning center celebrates the holidays with Dexter High School students

Perry Early Learning Center has long served as a cornerstone of early education in Ypsilanti, grounded in a belief that academic readiness begins with making sure children feel safe, confident, and supported in who they are.

As one of the district’s early learning hubs, Perry serves preschool and early elementary students at a critical stage in their development, often becoming families’ first point of connection to the public school system. The center helps young learners transition into formal schooling, while also offering families stability, resources, and a sense of community during a formative period in their children’s lives.

“At Perry, we take a whole-child approach,” says Brian Dickerson, principal of Perry Early Learning Center. “Yes, we want our students academically ready, but equally important is making sure they feel safe, loved, and confident in who they are.”

According to Dickerson, that philosophy shapes every aspect of the school’s environment. Alongside academic rigor, students engage in hands-on learning experiences designed to expand their thinking and curiosity — from creating and building in the school’s Makerspace, a dedicated learning area where students explore, design, and problem-solve through guided play and creative projects, to participating in field trips and school-wide assemblies that introduce new ideas and perspectives.

Social-emotional learning is embedded into daily practice through Perry’s schoolwide use of conscious discipline, an approach that emphasizes emotional regulation, relationship-building, and problem-solving. Dickerson says the framework helps create a calm and predictable environment where students learn how to identify their feelings, navigate conflict, and support one another.

“It creates a space where every child can grow socially, emotionally, and academically,” he says.

Building community through cross-age partnerships

That emphasis on belonging and connection was on full display during a recent partnership with Dexter High School, an experience Dickerson describes as one of the most joyful moments of the school year.

The partnership was coordinated through the YogaStrong Foundation, which supports high school students in leading service projects. Through the initiative, Dexter High School students raised funds, shopped for, wrapped, and delivered individual holiday gifts for every student at Perry, as well as three other Ypsilanti schools.

The high school students didn’t just drop off presents. They arrived in festive attire and transformed the school into a celebration, helping younger students open gifts, setting up toys, inflating sports balls, and jumping in to play alongside them.

“For our scholars and teachers, it’s magical,” Dickerson says. “It’s more than just receiving a gift, it’s feeling seen, celebrated, and cared for.”

He says the experience resonated deeply with Perry’s students, many of whom may not always feel that level of attention beyond their immediate circles.

“When our young scholars see high school students laughing, playing, and enjoying their time with them, it sends a powerful message: You matter. People care about you,” Dickerson says.

The impact flows both ways. Dickerson noted that the partnership offers older students a meaningful opportunity to step outside their daily routines and experience the joy of giving back.

“My hope is that this act of kindness sticks with them as they go on to college and their careers,” he says. “And that someday, our students grow up and pay it forward.”

For Perry students, the day offered something equally important: joy.

“If something challenging was happening at home or learning felt tough that week, this partnership gave them a moment to breathe, smile, and be kids,” Dickerson says. “Those moments matter. They stay with them.”

Beyond this partnership, Perry continues to prioritize strong connections with families and the broader community, an approach Dickerson says is essential to early learning success.

“Family engagement and community partnerships are truly what Perry thrives on,” he says. “We want our building to be a safe, welcoming space where parents and the community feel connected from the very start of a child’s educational journey.”

Throughout the year, the school hosts events designed to bring families into the learning process, including FLIP Reading Night, Math Night, Trunk or Treat, a Valentine’s Day Dance, and monthly preschool parent meetings. Each event is intended to strengthen relationships between families, educators, and students while reinforcing Perry’s role as a community hub.

Looking ahead, Dickerson says Perry will continue seeking partnerships that expand opportunities for students and invite families to engage alongside their children.

“When the community, school, and families come together, our young scholars benefit in every way,” he says.

Photos by Doug Coombe.

Early Education Matters shares how Michigan parents, child care providers, and early childhood educators are working together to create more early education opportunities for all little Michiganders. It is made possible with funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.