Full-day Kindergarten Comes To Sacred Heart Catholic School
Posted
Staff Report-
The beginning of the 2008-09 school year was also the beginning of full-day kindergarten programming for Sacred Heart School, Warsaw.
Responding to a request from parents to look at full-day kindergarten, teachers and administrators launched the option of full- or half-day kindergarten for the class of 2021.
"Full-day kindergarten enhances the learning environment for the students by actually allowing us more time to explore the standards-based kindergarten requirements at a deeper level. For instance, we have more time to do the 'hands-on' activities that were difficult to fit into a half-day program," said kindergarten teacher Monica Smith. "Our students participate in gym, music, library, computers, art, mass, family group activities, lunch and recess, just like all the other students in grades one through six."
"Sacred Heart has high expectations and student accomplishments as evidenced by our test scores," Principal Mary Ann Irwin said. "Full-day kindergarten allows us to give a good foundation of skills in reading, writing, math, social studies, science and religion, without students or teachers feeling over-stressed. We give them the 'luxury' of time to enjoy and explore the concepts."Students love their class pet gerbils, Peanut Butter and Jelly, and learn to care for them. With the assistance of parents, students take field trips to explore the world and learn more in depth the subjects studied in class.
Thirty new mobile laptop computers are wheeled into the classroom or set in the library, and even these youngest students wield the mouse and navigate programs without fear.
Smith summed up Sacred Heart kindergarten as "a structured, academic environment where all students are encouraged to learn and explore in a fun and positive way. All children are a 'gift' to their families, to our school, and to our community, and it is our job to find how to 'open' their treasures so they can reach their academic, social and spiritual potential."
"The school and parish building program will allow some expansion of programs such as preschool and kindergarten in the 2009-2010 school year," Irwin said. "I love to visit the kindergarten room and see the bright and smiling faces there. It really is true, 'Everything you need to know is learned in kindergarten!' You will find happy and successful students in the kindergarten class at Sacred Heart School."
