Sample Pre-Kindergarten Schedule
Morning Arrival
- 7:00-7:15 am — Early Bird Program in the Cafeteria
- 7:15-7:45 am — Early Bird Program in the library
- After 7:50 am — Parents must personally sign in the student at the front office and then escort him/her to the classroom.
Dismissal
- 2:45 pm (M, Tu, Th, F)
- 1:30 pm (Wednesday)
Pre-K students with an OLA sibling will be dismissed in the regular school-wide carpool at 3:15/2:00 pm (W).
Pre-K students without older siblings at OLA will be dismissed at 2:45 pm.
Students will be checked in to ECP if parent is late to carpool and regular charges will apply.
Classroom Policies
- Snack — Parents must send a nutritious snack daily. Please NO CANDY!
- Rest Time — Rest time lasts between 45 minutes and an hour.
- Bathroom Breaks — Students will be allowed to use the restroom as needed. Class restroom breaks will be taken at snack time and after lunch. In case of an accident, it is important to have an entire change of clothing, including socks, at school.
- Homework — Beginning in September, monthly activity calendars and reading logs will be sent home to be completed.
Parent/Teacher Communication
- Daily Folders
- Thursday Folders
- FACTS Family Portal
- Weekly Class Newsletter
- Conference Days
Behavior Management
At OLA, the Pre-Kindergarten teachers follow the Responsibility-Centered Discipline model to guide students to become intrinsically motivated. This model is based on core concepts for developing responsible students. The teachers coach students through challenging moments by setting clear expectations, explaining the benefits of the change in behavior, and making the child an active participant in identifying how the change can be made. While coaching, teachers remind students of our school promise, which states that as a school we will show respect to all and consistently try to be the best versions of ourselves.
Curriculum
Children acquire knowledge about the world in which they live through playful interaction with objects and people. Young children learn by doing. The classroom environment is designed to provide materials and activities that will stimulate and challenge each child. Experiences will be provided to allow each child to grow in all developmental areas and to develop positive attitudes toward learning.
The curriculum includes balanced instruction in reading, writing, math, religion, science and social studies. Get Set for School is a curriculum that prepares young learners for school with three complete programs: Readiness and Writing, Language and Literacy, and Numbers and Math. The programs use the following strategies to engage children:
— Creative lessons that enable children of different abilities to achieve
— Child-friendly language and activities
— Developmentally based teaching that works at every level
— Hands-on approach that promotes active participation
Language and Literacy
Dramatic play, singing, finger plays, manipulatives and movement will be used to teach children to rhyme, clap syllables, make and break compound words and identify sounds. The program will expose children to rich literature and help foster a love of reading, help build vocabulary and learn how books work. They will learn how to use new words and develop oral language skills by listening, re-telling and narrating stories. Students will develop early literacy skills in six domains:
- Phonological awareness
- Alphabet knowledge
- Concepts about print
- Comprehension
- Oral language
- Writing
Numbers and Math
Manipulatives, music, and rhymes are used to teach counting, comparisons, spatial awareness, patterning, sequencing, matching, sorting, problem solving, and geometry skills. Students will develop early math skills in 5 domains:
- Numbers and operations
- Geometry
- Patterns and algebra
- Measurement and time
- Data representation and probability
Handwriting
Students develop fine motor and writing skills through visual, tactile, auditory and kinesthetic activities and lessons. The program also helps develop other important skills such as language proficiency, social skills, fine/gross motor control, color/shape awareness, letter/number recognition and counting.
Vocabulary
Word Time is a program from Get Set for School. It lays a foundation that encourages all Pre-K children to develop intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically. Word Time boosts children’s vocabulary, thinking, and speaking skills in a way that elicits joyful participation.
Religion
Each lesson contains a Scripture-based story, an activity, and prayer experiences. Additional bible stories, activities and lessons will be incorporated throughout the curriculum, as well as a weekly prayer service. Pre-K students will also attend mass once a month during the all school masses.
Science and Social Studies
Science and social studies are integrated into daily activities, themed units and reading selections.
Classroom Centers
The classroom has been designed to provide a variety of activities that will promote social interaction, cooperation, and opportunities to communicate in ways that will stimulate the development of language. Some of the activities encourage active involvement while others allow for some quiet time.
Art Center
Materials available include an easel, crayons, markers, glue, printing materials, scissors, and a variety of papers. In addition to promoting creative expression, these activities also give the children needed practice in the areas of fine motor and perceptual development.
Block Center
There are unit blocks, small wooden blocks, cardboard blocks, Legos, toy people, animals, and cars. All of these provide opportunities to learn concepts such as weight, height, size, problem solving, cooperation, and language development.
Cooking
Cooking activities in the classroom will coordinate with the sounds about which students are learning.
House Center
The children have many opportunities to interact socially and expand language in the house center. A play kitchen, dolls, telephones, play foods, dishes, and dress ups all combine to allow children to experience real-life roles through dramatic play.
Reading Center
Baskets of books, puppets, and teddy bears make the reading center an inviting place to relax while learning to investigate books and develop an early love of reading.
Writing Center
The children are exposed to a variety of print materials and are encouraged to dictate stories and to illustrate them. They will be encouraged to write to each other as the year progresses.
Specials
Art
Formal art class is taught twice each week in addition to the daily activities provided in the classroom.
Library
Students visit the library once a week. Pre-K children do not check out books. Families are encouraged to use the public library to familiarize their student with the magic of reading and the great variety of books that are available.
Music
Students have music twice a week. In addition, the classrooms have musical instruments and age-appropriate C.D.s for daily music activities.
Physical Education
Students have P.E. twice a week.
Spanish
Pre-K students receive Spanish lessons once each week.
Technology
Technology is incorporated through the Pre-K curriculum. The teachers check out iPads weekly, and students regularly use the SmartBoard in the classroom.