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04/10/2024 08:30 AMWhether it’s helping little ones grow in the classroom or directing the best preschool outcomes for hundreds of Branford’s early learners, Ariana Loyola loves the fact that everything she does is for the kids.
As interim director of the Branford Family Resource Center (FRC) for Branford Public Schools (BPS), Ariana is a dedicated, early childhood professional with a deep commitment to providing the necessary resources toward laying a strong foundation for both families and children to succeed in life.
This is why Ariana feels especially excited to invite families of young ones to learn more about the resources available to them, while also helping to celebrate the Week of the Young Child, during Branford’s annual Early Childhood Fair and Family Day. The big day takes place on Saturday, April 20 at the Branford Community House at 46 Church Street. The free program is sponsored by the Branford Community Foundation and Branford School Readiness.
“We look forward to being able to reach out to the families, communicate with families, and connect with the families during this event,” says Ariana.
The special day is geared to families with young children, as well as those who are considering starting a family. It brings them together with area professionals from over 20 shoreline providers and early education centers to learn more about their programs and resources. Other community organizations, including James Blackstone Memorial Library and Community Dining Room, will also be on hand to help families learn more about programs and events designed to support them.
The fun and educational day kicks off with a family style pancake breakfast at 9 a.m. From 10 a.m. through 2 p.m., providers will be there to share information. Families and kids can also enjoy the day’s music and dance, along with children’s activities, books for children, and parent workshops.
“Staff will be there to facilitate and monitor the children during these workshops,” Ariana notes. “The children can attend with the parents, or the children will have other activities they can do while their parents attend.”
The Week of the Young Child is also celebrated annually in Branford with the program’s One Book, One Town collaborative effort. Every child enrolled in participating area early childhood education and care provider groups receive their own copy of a carefully chosen children’s book featuring an impactful lesson.
“This year, we did a children’s book by LeBron James, I Promise,” says Ariana. “This book is focusing on children being the best versions of themselves. We’ve had all the students create self-portraits which will be posted as an art gallery at Branford Community House during the Week of Young Child.”
Families visiting the FRC information station at Branford Community House during the Early Childhood Fair and Family Day on April 20 will learn about what the FRC has to offer, including some exciting news about current and upcoming programs.
“We’ll have our parent educator there from the FRC, so she’ll be able to show parents some activities they can do with their kids and also explain the specific skills they’ll be learning during these activities,” says Ariana. “There’s also quite a bit going on. With the help of our team at FRC and our coordinator, Pam DeMaio, we’ve really started to initiate a lot of different programs.”
For example, following a lengthy pandemic pause, this summer the FRC will resume its full-day, 8-week summer camp offered from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Find more information at branfordschools.org/o/frc-sacc.
Additionally, thanks to grant funding, the FRC will be piloting a free family and child yoga program that’s anticipated start in June for adults and children to attend.
“We’re looking forward to being able to build family connections among the children and parents and caregivers,” Ariana says. “It’s going to be a way for the community to connect with each other, so parents can connect and children can connect and also focus on social-emotional wellness and physical health for families and children.”
FRC’s early education programming is based at Indian Neck School, where the center will also be piloting an FRC families’ Pre-K summer camp program this summer from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“With this pilot Pre-K summer camp, we’re hoping to be able to serve the families and children that are in the school-year preschool program. Those families don’t have the option for summer care because FRC is the only full-day, full-year program here at Indian Neck School,” Ariana explains.
As someone who has been involved in early education from an early age (she got her start at 15), Ariana’s professional affiliation with the FRC at Indian Neck School started in 2018.
“I was a stay-at-home mom for about a year after having my second child, and then I started part-time in the preschool classroom at FRC,” she says.
Ariana earned her bachelor’s in child study from Post University and her master’s in curriculum and instruction from the University of St. Joseph.
After completing her part-time role with FRC and then taking some interspersed time away, Ariana returned in 2021 as the program’s head teacher. She was named the FRC interim director in November 2022.
Through the FRC, BPS offers full-day preschool for children of working parents. Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the program follows Early Learning Developmental Standards to help children broaden social and emotional skills, while also maintaining a strong focus on academic growth. On its website, the FRC’s stated mission is, “...to provide an affordable, high-quality preschool experience while being mindful of cultural diversity and developmental readiness.”
In addition to FRC, Ariana also oversees Branford School Aged Child Care (SACC). SACC’s quality child care program is accessible to Branford families before and after school hours.
By being on the job on the campus of Indian Neck School, Ariana is allowed the chance to stay connected with kids—something that she cherishes.
“I still enjoy going into the classroom. I enjoy being with the kids and teaching them all the development skills and social-emotional skills that they learn,” says Ariana. “Indian Neck School is a very calm and appropriate setting for little ones. I just love the environment and the place of Indian Neck School, and the collegiality that’s here with the other faculty and staff is amazing. Everyone works collaboratively. We all support each other. It really is a family like setting.”
Speaking of family, Ariana is the quintessential busy wife and mom with children aged 6 to 13.
“I am a graduate student, I’m a mom of four, I’m also a mom of three fur babies, and I am also a cheer coach for my daughter’s teams in our town of West Haven,” she says.
Arirana’s husband, Edgar Loyala, is a firefighter for the City of Bridgeport.
“I always say we have our own personal hero at home, my husband,” Ariana says. “We’re always grateful and thankful when he comes home after working his shift and also grateful and thankful for his service to the community.”