PRE-K 4 SYLLABUS

Mrs. Helen Fauerbach.

BA in Early Childhood Education, Antioch University 1986.

Mrs. Vivian Bates – Instructional Assistant.

Mrs. Joanne Lullio-Morris – Instructional Assistant.

     Our main goal is to help your child have a happy and meaningful experience in Pre-K this year.  It is our philosophy that Pre-K is a place where children should feel safe, secure and loved.  A place where they are free to explore, ask many questions and realize that learning is FUN!  We conduct the classroom in a family-type atmosphere where we all respect and care for each other.

RELIGION

     The children will know that God, our Father, made them and gave them great gifts.  They will realize that they are special and will be strongly encouraged to be glad to be who they are. 

     The children will learn about God’s Son, Jesus, through Bible stories, songs, poems, role playing, art activities and prayers.  Learning about God and loving Him is interwoven throughout all the activities of our days in Pre-K.

MATH

     Strong emphasis is placed on working at the concrete level using many manipulatives.  The children will learn basic shapes, numbers zero through twelve and simple patterns.  They will learn to compare sizes, weights and volumes of objects.  They will be sorting and classifying objects, as well as using simple addition and subtraction.

INTEGRATED LANGUAGE ARTS (ILA) / SCIENCE / SOCIAL STUDIES/ COMPUTERS

     The children will be read to each day.  Selected readings will have a variety of themes which will incorporate the subjects of Religion, Social Studies and Science.

      We encourage the children to explore their environment, understand their relation to it and express their thoughts and feelings about it.

     To stimulate language development the children participate in block building, painting, creative dramatics, games and walks to find out about their world.  They talk about people, animals and events; they look at pictures and books; and they listen to stories, poems, directions and explanations.  They will explore through a hands-on approach at our classroom centers using a variety of manipulatives and computer technology.  Good weather permitting, the children will also enjoy exploring our outside surroundings.

     Instruction in Spanish is included one period/week as part of the Language Arts Program.

     Science themes will include – the four seasons; the weather; our five senses; healthy habits; plants and growth; food we eat and animals and their environment.

     Social Studies themes will include – community helpers; neighborhood and city; holidays; types of housing; types of transportation; different cultures and customs – appreciating the difference in people; the family unit; friends and Saints.

MUSIC AND ART

     The subjects of Art and Music are two of the best ways to help young children realize that learning is FUN!  The children will enjoy periods of music education in their school week – listening to and learning simple sing-a-long songs and poems.  There will be frequent art projects throughout the school year.  The children will use a variety of materials to expand and enrich their learning experiences in Pre-K.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION / GYM

     The children will have one forty-five minute period of Gym/ week.  The children will also participate in a variety of indoor and outdoor (weather permitting) games and activities throughout the week – nature walks, running, jumping, ball handling, simple exercises and dancing.  These are to provide the children with opportunities to develop fine and gross motor skills as well as improve hand-eye coordination.

HOMEWORK

     Homework is infrequent in Pre-K.  We want the children to be eager and happy to come to school and learn.  We do not want them to be overwhelmed.  Any homework activities would consist of perhaps telling a parent about what they learned that day or bringing in a picture to share with the class or an object for Show-N-Tell.  If and when homework is given there will be a homework paper sent home with your child.  Please help your child understand the importance of and rewards gained by successfully completing assignments.  Homework will reinforce core concepts and skills.

CLASSROOM DECORUM

     Students are expected to abide by the school’s disciplinary and uniform policies.  Pre-K is a place where children should feel safe, secure and loved.  In order that the children learn to work together and respect each other, positive reinforcement of desired behavior will be used – for example, additional praise or sticker.  At times it is necessary to remind the children of the rules of our class.  We use the “Three Strikes, Take A Break” method.  If an undesired behavior continues past three corrections, the child will be instructed to “take a break” – during which he/she will sit quietly and look at a book or do a short individual puzzle, etc.  After a short period and a talk with the teacher/assistant the child will return to the group.  All major infractions will follow the school’s disciplinary code.

     Students are expected to be on time for class.

REQUEST FOR CONFERENCES

     In order to insure a prompt response, parents are asked to submit any requests for a conference in writing.  Since phone calls can only be returned while on a scheduled break during school hours, parents will usually receive a brief note addressing any questions or concerns.  Please check your child’s belongings daily for a written response.  Conferences are only available by appointment from 2:30 to 3pm weekdays.

                                                                                                                                         September 1, 2011

Dear Parents,

     Welcome to Sacred Heart School and a brand new school year!  It is our goal to keep your child safe while he/she is learning and growing in our classrooms.  The following are our most important classroom rules for the safety and well-being of your child:

1. Your child is to be in class by 7:50 am.  Please have your child on time for class.  If it is later than 8:00 am, you MUST go to the office first and obtain a late slip before bringing your child to the pre-k classroom.  No exceptions will be made.

2. Snack is provided for each student.  Please let us know immediately if your child has any allergies to food or drink.  Please inform the school nurse immediately of any allergies or medical conditions your child might have.

3. All belongings must be labeled with your child’s name.  Items such as pencil case, glue stick, crayons, etc should be placed in a large zip lock bag that has your child’s name on it.

4. School bags should not have any decorative items hanging on it, for example: pins, key chains, plastic or stuffed toys, etc.  No wheels on the school bag.  PLEASE DO NOT SEND IN ANY TOYS TO SCHOOL.  If we are having Show-N-Tell a note will be sent home.

5. Your child will need a packed lunch every day – please make sure your child’s name is on his/ her lunch bag/ box.  Items should be easy to prepare with no heating necessary and disposable.  Please no glass or soda cans.  Due to the allergies of some of the children Pre-K 4 is not permitted to bring in nuts of any kind or foods that contain these nuts (peanuts, almonds, walnuts – any kind of tree nut).

6. Please limit hair ornamentation to one or two items as they are a distraction to the children and often fall out during the course of the day.

7. Due to a few potentially dangerous incidents with young children and umbrellas, it is our policy that your child is not permitted to bring an umbrella to school.  If it is raining, please dress your child in rain gear.

8. If your child attends EDP on a day when there is a 12:15 pm dismissal, your child will need a small bag lunch (EDP STUDENTS ONLY) – all disposal items, no soda, cans or glass.  All half day students will be dismissed at 11:30 am – even when there is a 12:15 pm dismissal.  All Pre-K FULL day students are to be picked up at 12:00 noon on half days (12:15 pm dismissal days).

9. For afternoon rest time your child will need an all-in-one Nap Mat (please see attached ads) and (if your child wishes) a small, soft stuffed animal/doll (ALL LABELED) to be kept in school in your child’s rest time cubby.  For sanitary reasons we no longer allow sleeping bags or big sheets.  For safety issues, we have the children keep their shoes and socks on during rest time – please discuss this with your child. 

                                                                                                                Thank you for your cooperation,

                                                                                                                God Bless,

                                                                                                                The Pre-K Staff