Pre-School
Our Diocesan and Middle Statea accredited preschool program has two classes. Our 3Yr Old Class meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 -11:30 AM. We have a "play-based" curriculum with focus is on socialization, emphasizing the growth of "whole child" physically, spiritually, emotionally, socially and intellectually. Children learn to work in large and small groups.
Our Pre K-4 meets on Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:00 - 11:30 AM. Our emphasis is on Kindergarten readiness, also with a play based curriculum. The program is thematic and seasonal with our Diocesan approved and age appropriate religion program integrated in our themes. We also offer an optional music program for the PreK-4 group taught by a music specialist.
My goals for the year:
- To help preschoolers develop a sense of independence
- To provide a safe and nurturing environment
- To increase awareness of the importance of using good manners and learning self control
- To develop an awareness of the presence of God in preschoolers’ lives.
- To help preschoolers develop their thinking skills
- To prepare them for entering Kindergarten.
Special Activities
Pre-K class - does an ongoing alphabet book project - a different letter each week coordinated with an art project; i.e..A for acorn rolling, etc.
Activities for both classes:
- Early literacy and math skills
- In the Fall, the PreK class goes on a pumpkin patch field trip and nature walk.
- In November, children make Native American costumes and participate in a Thanksgiving Feast by making cranberry sauce, popping popcorn (from real ears of corn), and playing some Native American children's games.
- In April, preschool holds a spring program at SJN for families and friends.
- In May, we host a Mother's Day Tea for children's moms. We serve and pamper each Mom.
Pre-school lives the Jesus Attitude by:
• Pre-K class puts together a Thanksgiving dinner basket for SJN Food Bank.
• Pre-K participates in Hop-A-Thon for Schreiber Pediatric Rehab. Center.Kindergarten
Our Kindergarten is full day.
Highlights:
- Language arts/phonics, handwriting, and Kid Writing
- Science units
- Math covers number recognition, writing, patterns, sequence, and addition
- Computer class in the computer lab focuses on familiarity and program use
- SuccessMaker for math enrichment
- Spanish class held weekly introduces key vocabulary
Goals for the Year:
- Prepare the children for first grade.
- Make their learning fun and interesting.
- Teach them about Jesus' love.
- Teach them to treat others the way that they want to be treated.
Kindergarten lives the Jesus Attitude as they:
- collect new winter hats and mittens for the homeless children in the School District of Lancaster
- send seasonal cards to the St. Anne parish shut-ins
- Kindergarten Kindness projects, such as making and sending valentines cards to the veterans at Lebanon and Coatesville Veterans Hospitals
First Grade
Goals for the Year:
- To create a positive learning environment where love and joy of learning grows in a Christ centered classroom.
- To become lifelong learners and readers
Highlights:
- Kid Writing
- Guided Reading
- Child of the Day
- Service oriented learning
- Reading and Mass buddies
First Grade shares the Jesus Attitude as they:
- Collect money every month for the Holy Childhood Association.
- Make cards for the sick, elderly, and lonely.
Second Grade
Goals for the year:
- To be an example of Christian love and compassion
- Develop a love of reading
- Enhance spelling skills
- Tailor instruction to student need through small groups and learning stations
- Encourage a love of mathematics – students will be exposed to a hands-on approach to mathematical reasoning
- Develop research skills through units of study
- Strengthen writing abilities – students will write a biography, an autobiography, and many other things throughout the year.
- Explore science and social studies concepts through projects, experiments and research
- Enhance all curricular areas with the use of technology (ie. United Streaming and internet resources)
