in
the
LOOP
TRANSITION CLASS
OFFERED AT JOHN
MCMILLAN PRESCHOOL
Spring is here, finally, and many local
elementary schools are having kindergarten
registration. If your child seems to be
struggling with some of the “readiness skills”
expected by the elementary schools, or if he
or she seems to have difficulty functioning
in a large group setting…know that you
do have options. Whether it’s due to a late
birthday or limited experience in a preschool
setting, some children are not quite ready for
the kindergarten experience when the clock
or the calendar dictates.
John McMillan Preschool has a morning
Transition Class (or “T-Class”) for those
children who would benefit from an
additional year of preschool before entering
kindergarten. The program runs Monday
through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30
a.m., with the option of adding addition time
in the Lunch & Learning program. With a
much smaller student-to-teacher ratio than
in the elementary school, teachers are able to
offer a curriculum which is both challenging
and fun!
Children learn through a variety of formal
and informal activities. There is increased
emphasis on pre-reading, math, science,
writing and language skills in a nurturing
environment that enhances self‑confidence
and a love of learning. Curriculum includes
the recognition of upper- and lowercase
letters, numbers 1 - 20, and identification
of letter sounds. “Dolch Words” (or instant
sight words) are introduced each week
during the morning meeting. Professional
visitors, monthly chapel time, and many
field trips provide new experiences and
increase children’s knowledge of the world
around them. All plans are aligned with the
PA Pre-Kindergarten Learning Standards.
(Pictured: The T-Class conducts a science
experiment in one of the many classrooms
with a tiled floor!)
Children are invited into the T-Class
program when they’ve had at least one full
year of preschool and have reached the
age of 4½ before September 30. Children
who do not meet these prerequisites are
welcome to join the Fours class, which is
equally successful at preparing children
for kindergarten! Both the T-Class
and Fours also have the opportunity to
extend their learning day until 2:00 p.m.
on Mondays and/or Wednesdays with
a Lunch & Learning program. If you’d
like to learn more about the Transition
Class or any of the programs available
at John McMillan Preschool, please call
Pat Folino at 412.833.4704 or email at
[email protected]. ■
We’ve taken Christian