HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.2 ShamrockPreschoolProgramUpdate
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AGENDA STATEMENT
PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
MEETING DATE: August 18, 2008
SUBJECT: Shamrock Preschool Program Update
Report by Cindi Santos, Preschool Instructor, and Frank Luna,
Recreation Supervisor
ATTACHMENTS: None
RECOMMENDATION: Receive report
FINANCIAL STATEMENT: None
DESCRIPTION: The City of Dublin's Shamrock Preschool has been a popular and
successful program for over twenty years. This past year the former preschool director retired after 20
years of service to the City. Cindi Santos was hired as the new Preschool Instructor in August 2007, and
has continued to uphold the quality instruction which had been established for many years.
Beginning this fall, the Preschool curriculum will expand to encompass all developmental skills and teach
kindergarten readiness. Staff has established specific thematic curriculum for each of the three age groups
being taught. The three year old classes have a specific curriculum designed around an entry level
introduction of social motor skills and cognitive development. The four year old class curriculum
encompasses all kindergarten readiness skills including fine motor, gross motor, social, emotional and
cognitive processing development. The Jr. Kindergarten class goes beyond the four year old program to a
kindergarten cognitive level for those preschoolers who for some reason have decided not to enter
kindergarten yet, but need the higher level of learning. Staff has also enhanced all three levels of
curriculum to include age appropriate academic components.
This fall, Shamrock Preschool includes more options for enrollment. Previously enrollment was limited to
two-days per week for three year olds and three-days for others. This fall the Department is offering both
a three and four year old class that is two days per week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) or three days per week
(Monday, Wednesday and Fridays). Families may opt to enroll their child in both classes creating a five
day per week option. Having the same teacher instruct the same age group, in the same room, five days
per week, affords the families whose child attends all five days the security of continuity in the same
classroom. Additionally, the program will offer simultaneous three year old and four year old classes
enabling families to enroll siblings and have them attend preschool classes at the same time.
COPIES TO:
ITEM NO.: 8.2
GAPARKS COMMISSIOMAGNDSTM112008\8-18 Preschool Program Changes.doc
The fa112008 Preschool Schedule is shown below.
3 YEAR OLD MORNING CLASSES:
Children must be three years old by December 1, 2008 and fully potty trained.
DAY TIME LOCATION
TUE/THU 9:00 - 1130 AM Emerald Glen Activity Center
(Ruby Room)
DAY TIME LOCATION
MON/WED/FRI 9:00 - 11:30 AM Emerald Glen Activity Center
(Ruby Room)
4 YEAR OLD MORNING CLASSES:
Children must be four years old by December 1, 2008 and fully potty trained.
DAY TIME LOCATION
TUE/THU 9:00 -1130 AM Emerald Glen Activity Center
(Pearl Room)
DAY TIME LOCATION
MON/WED/FRI 9:00 - 11:30 AM Emerald Glen Activity Center
(Pearl Room)
JUNIOR KINDERGARTEN AFTERNOON CLASSES:
Children must be four by September 1, 2008 and have one year of preschool experience.
DAY TIME LOCATION
M/T/W/TH 1:00 - 4:00 PM Emerald Glen Activity Center
(Pearl Room)
The Ruby Room classroom will be used exclusively for three year olds in the mornings and the Pearl
Room classroom for the four and five year olds, both mornings and afternoons. With this set up, Staff will
be able to amend the student's environment with appropriate materials, toys, room arrangement and other
factors designed for specific age groups. In addition, Staff will specialize in teaching one specific age
everyday. This allows the teacher to maintain a better detailed teaching standard and overview of specific
needs and activities for the age group being taught.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Parks and Community Services
Commission receive the report.
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