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Pre-Kindergarten Center
Pre-School Program for 3 and 4 year olds
The Best Environment
At St. Jerome Catholic School, we believe the best type of learning environment for young toddlers is one that allows them to explore and play in a safe and nurturing family environment. Young toddlers need to be listened to attentively, talked to during routines, and introduced to the types of activities that engage their attention and hold their interests while enhancing their growth and development.
The St. Jerome Catholic School Pre-School Program helps build a strong foundation for success in school with fun, hands on activities to keep the children actively involved as they learn to recognize letters, explore beginning sounds, understand number concepts, and develop positive character traits.
Click on the links below to learn more about our excellent Pre-School Program:
| Schedule | Curriculum |
| Teachers | Activities |
| Playground | Enrichment Classes |
| Justice Program | Nap Time |
| Meals | Field Trips |
| Evaluation | Recognitions |
| After School Care & Clubs | Parent-Teacher Communication |
Schedule
We encourage parents to take advantage of our flexible Pre-K3 schedule with four options (five full days, three full days, and five mornings 8:00 a.m. until noon). St. Jerome Catholic School accepts VPK vouchers for four year olds regardless of family income.
Pre-K3 utilizes A Beka Curriculum and supplemental materials to meet the needs of our students. An interactive board is also used to implement basic objectives such as letters, sounds, colors, shapes, etc. Pre-K 4 begins the year with color and shape identification. They use hands on activities to bring concepts to life. The next step is letter recognition, uppercase and lowercase. Sounds and vowels are also taught to transition into Kindergarten. Main subjects take place in the morning when the child’s attention span tends to be optimal. Math concepts are emphasized via manipulatives and kinesthetic learning. Circle time brings everything together for the day including calendar, weather, seasons, as well as the letter and number of the week are discussed and reviewed. The creative time in our areas are a crucial part of the curriculum as: the house, art, computers, and block areas give the child the time to explore. Pre-K 4 uses Scholastic “Let’s Find Out” for social studies and science.
Activities
We provide opportunities to engage in play with interesting and challenging materials—activities that encourage young toddlers to manipulate, interact, or problem solve—such as blocks, puzzles, water coloring, cooking, water and sand play, tactile activities, arts and crafts, and plenty of play props for dramatic play.
Playground
Playground time is a key component of a toddler’s day. Our playgrounds are designed for the curious toddler. Climbers and tree houses help a toddler’s imagination soar! Through our Healthy Start Program, the students particularly love the garden where they can help plant vegetables and flowers.
Enrichment Classes
Pre-K3 also integrates Spanish into the curriculum throughout the day and has one formal Spanish class once a week. Spanish, Kindermusik, PE, Library and Art are taught once a week in Pre-K 3 & Pre-K4. Students also go to Computer class once a week and learn to use programs such as: KidPix, Zoofari, Animals, Blue’s Clues, Kid Keys, I Spy, and Thinking Things. In Library, the librarian reads to the students, asks reading comprehension questions, and asks students to retell the story in their own words or create their own ending.
Justice Program
Students learn lifelong conflict resolution and leadership skills through our Social Justice Program based on the book You Can’t Say You Cant’ Play.
Students learn how to give at an early age by participating in programs such as the Children’s Diagnostic and Treatment Center Christmas Drive (students bring in a gift for severely ill low-income families), Thanksgiving Drive and Operation Rice Bowl.
Nap Time
Nap time takes place in the afternoon for about one hour and half for Pre-K3 and one hour for Pre-K4 while classical music is playing. Nap Sacks Students use their own nap sack in order to minimize germs. Classrooms are cleaned and sanitized on a daily basis. Potty Trained Students must be potty trained before entering the program.
Meals
A morning snack is provided by the school (i.e. Cheerios, graham crackers); students can bring lunch or buy a hot lunch and healthy snacks (the lunch monthly menu is provided ahead of time). Pre-K3, Pre-K4, and Kindergarten students eat in the cafeteria at the same time. Parents take turns providing afternoon snacks. Parents enjoy volunteering in the cafeteria!
Field Trips
Pre-K3 only has oncampus field trips. Pre- K4 has in-house and off-campus field trips. Some of our yearly inhouse field trips include: Uncle Willie- a magic educational show, and The Little Farm. Pre- K4 participates in the in-house field trips in addition to off-campus field trips which include: Center for the Performing Arts and Floyd Hull Park for an Easter Egg Hunt.
Evaluation
Pre-K3: Twice per year –parent-teacher conferences and progress report twice per year. The Pre-K3 Progress Report from Hayes School Publishing focuses on listening, speaking, self-reliance, music and art skills. Pre-K4: Three times per year –The grading key is as follows: C- I can do, W-Working on It and N-Not Mastered Yet. Parent-teacher conferences upon request.
Recognitions Pre-K 3 & 4 participate in the “Student of the Week” & “Student of the Month” (the child who exemplifies the value of the month).
After School Care & Clubs
After School Care is available on campus on a need basis. Most of our after school care staff also works at St. Jerome School during the day. Our After School Care Program offers specialized activities such as: Gymnastics, Karate, Spanish Club, Soccer, and Promethean Board Club for an additional fee. St. Jerome School is also proud of its excellent Easter Break Camp and Summer Camp! Special Events Special events include Grandparents Day, Fall Harvest, Winter Wonderland, Christmas Pageant, Easter Egg Hunt, Ethnic Day, Career Day, Field Day (parents and grandparents are welcome) Health and Safety Awareness Week (topics presented include nutrition, pet safety, dental hygiene, water safety, fire safety, bike and helmet safety), Bike Safety, & Red Wagon Walk-a-Thon.
Parent-Teacher Communication
Communication with parents is paramount in order to work effectively as partners in the child’s development. There is a weekly Communication Folder that goes home on Wednesdays. Projects done throughout the week, important notices, and the school’s Panther Pride newsletter, which includes a blurb about topics being learned, and special events in each classroom, are in the Communication Folder.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-teacher conferences are available upon request. The Parent-teacher relationship is enhanced via daily contact with the teacher since parents drop-off and pick-up their child in the classroom.
Parent Involvement
Parents are encouraged to volunteer in the classroom. They are invited to be a Homeroom Parent, participate in committees such as the Healthy Start Committee and the Home and School Association as well as take part in school-wide events such as the Fall Festival and Dinner Dance.
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