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Mrs. Godek - Pre-Kindergarten
Saint Michael School has been my home away from home for the past 22 years. I joined the Saint Michael faculty as the middle school math teacher. It was during my sixth year in the middle school that I was asked to design and set up the Pre- Kindergarten program. Working closely with Mrs. Butler, the Archdiocese Early Childhood Coordinators and others, the program came to fruition. Today there are still many reminders of the hard work that we all completed to make this wonderful program a reality.
Now, sixteen years later I am still blessed to be enjoying the fruits of my labor and the innocence of the young children that I welcome into my classroom each September. What a joy it is to take these young minds and instill in them the foundations of learning that will lead them through life. While I know that I am supposed to be teaching the ABC’s and 123”s, more importantly I strive to instill in our little ones a sense of pride in everything they attempt to do. Education is an ongoing process in which we all must take a chance and step out of our comfort zone. I only hope that I can encourage a level of confidence in my students so they are willing to continue taking risks. It is tasks as simple as zipping a jacket, tying a shoe, or writing ones name that brings forth a great sense of pride and ownership. Each time, it brings a smile to my face when a child can say with great excitement “I DID IT MYSELF”!
Philosophy
The Pre-Kindergarten curriculum at has been designed to contribute to all aspects of your child's development. It has been developed to fit and meet the abilities, developmental levels, learning styles, and interests of Pre-Kindergarten children. The teachers at Saint Michael School recognize three very important tenets of early childhood education:
- Children grow and develop at unique individual rates that are often unrelated to chronological age.
- Children learn best through doing, through direct, immediate involvement with the environment, and through the sensory input of observation, manipulation, and experimentation.
- Pre-Kindergarten children are experiencing rapid and important growth in many developmental areas, including the cognitive/intellectual, psychosocial, and physical-motor domains.
The curriculum intends to stimulate your child's learning in all developmental areas: physical, language, social, emotional, and cognitive. It supports the interactive relationship among all areas of development.
Young children are tireless experimenters and investigators. At Saint Michael's, they will be encouraged to think creatively. They will be stimulated, guided, and encouraged in carefully planned activities that allow them to develop at their own optimum rate.
Our teachers respond to individual differences in ability, interests, development, and learning styles. They provide the motivation and skills for success in school through developmentally appropriate activities. They work to provide your child with both academic success and joy in learning. Your child will be assured of appropriate learning experiences woven throughout the class time in a secure, unpressured environment. Your child's school experience will be a positive one!
The Pre-Kindergarten experience for your child will be a most rewarding venture. We will provide your child with a solid database essential for later learning, a strong sense of self-esteem, an excitement and curiosity about learning, and an enthusiasm for school. To guarantee your child's success, parental involvement is important.
- Open communication between home and school is essential. Do feel free to contact your child's teacher at any time. If you are comfortable with your child's learning situation, s/he will be also.
- Do share your child's interest in and enthusiasm for new experiences. Learning is truly a life-long experience. Share the joy!
- Regular attendance is important. It will help build sound habits and reinforce seriousness of purpose.
The Pre-Kindergarten program is the foundation for later grades. The curriculum progressively supports and builds on learning and development throughout the elementary years. The teachers at Saint Michael School design curriculum across grades to ensure the integration of subject matter and learning. Pre-Kindergarten Program Details
- Pre-Kindergarten students need to be four by September 1st.
- Pre-Kindergarten is a 5 half-day program. Sessions do not change mid-year.
Morning sessions – 9:00a.m.-11:45a.m.
Afternoon sessions – 12:30p.m. - 3:15p.m.
- Children should come to school each day with a snack that is peanut butter free and a drink.
- You will be provided with a written evaluation of your child's progress twice each year. A formal conference will be set up with your child's teacher.
- Physical education, music and library time are provided for students.
School Wide Details
- There is a full time nurse on staff
- All parents are automatically members of the Parent Teacher Organization.
- A school newsletter is published each month, and sent home via e-mail.
- The weekly Trumpet is e-mailed home each Monday. It contains important information about school activities for the upcoming week.
- Nursery and Pre-Kindergarten School students are allowed to attend Extended Day Care. Please be sure to fill out an enrollment form.
- We strive to be a peanut butter free school. Please do not send in items that contain peanut butter.
- Nursery and Pre-Kindergarten students are asked to wear navy blue or gray elastic waist shorts, pants, and shirts. Clothing does not have to be purchased from JB Edwards Uniform Company. Items do NOT need to bear the SMS logo. Sneakers and socks should be worn.
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