VIDALIA &045; Twenty unsuspecting 4-year-olds will be taken from the comfort of their homes in a few months, and the Concordia Parish School District will be to blame.

There will be tears, trembling lower lips and broken hearted mothers, yet the district is proud of its latest accomplishment.

Adding a new pre-kindergarten class at Vidalia Lower Elementary will mean the early start 20 Vidalia children need and will benefit from once they grow accustomed to leaving mom behind.

State funding for the additional class came through early this month making the idea of a fourth VLES pre-K class a reality.

Principal Doris Polk said the extra class is greatly needed.

&uot;Every year when they screen the children we have to turn many away,&uot; Polk said.

Parents interested in enrolling their 4-year-olds in pre-K must sign up with the school and have their children screened by school personnel. From that point, the school will accept 20 students for each class based on the criteria set forth by the state.

Polk said most of the students are considered &uot;at-risk children.&uot;

Polk said interested parents have already signed up for the pre-K classes, but the school will continue to take applications.

The four VLES classes are funded from different sources, including state money, federal money and grant funds.

Pre-K provides six hours of instruction by a certified teacher and aide.

Before- and after-school activities are provided for interested students. The classrooms are very hands-on and most daily activities involve work with the hands.

Polk said VLES will work over the summer to add a bathroom to the existing classroom and furnish it with 4-year-old sized furniture.

Parents of pre-K students are expected to be very involved and attend monthly meetings.

To qualify, children must be 4 by Sept. 30, 2005. Parents must provide proof of income to verify free/reduced lunch status and the child’s birth certificate, social security card, proof of residence and immunization records must be provided.

Ferriday Lower Elementary also has several pre-K classes.