Preparing students at a young age for future success

Times Reporter

 

Encouraging early learning and development is just one reason why Golden Hills School Division (GHSD) has partnered with schools to provide a Pre-Kindergarten option to the area. 

The option to integrate the new class was offered to all schools in Strathmore, but Brentwood and Trinity Christian Academy (TCA) were the only two schools able to meet the goal of opening the program for the fall thanks to strong enrollment requests. 

TCA was fortunate to have a perfect physical space just waiting to be transformed into a Pre-K classroom, said principal Wayne Funk. Susan Hunter will be teaching the Pre-K class and the supervising teacher will be Sheila Neufeld. 

“TCA Pre-K is a stepping stone into our kindergarten program.  I will be doing some of the same programs as the kindergarten teacher just in a modified way,” said Hunter. 

“The program is designed to allow all students to learn at their own pace using different strategies and learning techniques. I will be using music, play, hands-on learning. I am excited for the upcoming year and seeing how each child grows.  Pre-K is setting them up for success in kindergarten.”

“GHSD is looking to become the Preferred Choice of Education in all of our communities.  We felt that one way to raise the community’s awareness of all we offer was to broaden our programming in our elementary schools,” said Funk. 

“One of the options that was chosen, was to open a pre-kindergarten program that aligns itself with the current kindergarten programming.  It will make the transition into a kindergarten program nearly seamless for our youngest learners.”

Pre-K will be held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 

An orientation was being held on June 21 from 9 a.m. to noon for anyone interested in seeing what was being offered. 

The cost of your child attending Pre-K is $100/month, and while parent volunteers aren’t required, there will be a sign up sheet for anyone interested.