Community Education - current class catalogs Families - Fall 2016 | Page 22

Site spotlight Anoka Preschool and Family Place “Outstanding!” “We love it here!” “My daughter loves going to school to learn.” These are just a few quotes from parents who either attend ECFE classes with their children or who have a child attending preschool at Anoka Preschool and Family Place. The building, also known as the Educational Service Center, just north of Highway 10 on Ferry Street in Anoka has four spacious classrooms, a gym, an outdoor playground and is home to the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program for Anoka-Hennepin’s Early Learning programs. Inviting atmosphere As families enter Anoka Family Place, they are directed down the Early Learning corridor where everything is set up for our special little visitors. “We love all the teachers, the preschool room and everything you guys have to offer,” said a parent from an Anoka preschool class. As with all of our locations, Anoka Preschool and Family Place has classrooms staffed by licensed parent educators and early childhood teachers dedicated to providing positive support for families and using intentional teaching strategies to meet children’s individual needs. STEM classes A specific interest to many families who attend ECFE classes at Anoka Preschool and Family Place is the STEM-focused classes. “This is his favorite class,” said Amy Stevens, mother of Jet who attended a STEM class last fall. “His little brain is always trying to figure things out. This is his language.” ECFE teacher Joye Baumgartner and Parent Educator Tricia Weber worked together to write STEM curriculum that aligns the course to what is taught in Anoka-Hennepin elementary schools. During the final week of STEM classes last year, students made the “Three Little Pigs” story come to life, building structures out of sticks, straw and bricks. This fall, Anoka Preschool and Family Place has: • Eight preschool classes for children ages three to five. • Twelve full semester and mini ECFE classes. • Family Playtime on Mondays. “I love that families start here with their little newborn babies and continue through the variety of programs until they head off to kindergarten,” says Mary Washburn, supervisor at Anoka Preschool and Family Place. “Our classrooms and hallways are filled with the bubbly laughter of young children and great parent discussions sharing ideas and thoughts. The support for each other is amazing!” “ Outstanding! We love it here! ” - Parent from an Anoka Preschool and Family Place ECFE class 22 Anoka-Hennepin Community Education I 763-506-1275