Welcome to Kindergarten at St.
Michael Parish School
See your child’s light shine at St. Michael
Parish Kindergarten! At St. Michael, we
recognize that the education of your
kindergartener is collective among teachers,
families, and the community. Those around your
child leave an indelible imprint, taking root in
him or her as they grow. At St. Michael,
children receive the benefit of a community of
educators, parents, and children who share your
family’s values and faith. In addition to a
comprehensive academic curriculum, St. Michael
Parish Kindergarten reinforces the values you
are encouraging in your child at home: kindness,
respect, gratitude, helpfulness, friendship,
compassion, prayer and the desire to always do
one’s best.
Scroll below or click these quick-links for
more information about St. Michael Parish
Preschool:
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Our Philosophy at St. Michael Parish
Kindergarten
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Curriculum for St. Michael Parish
Kindergarten
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St. Michael
Parish Kindergarten Schedule
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Kindergarten Admissions
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Drop-off and Pick-up
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Uniforms
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Special
Kindergarten Activities
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Parent
Involvement in Kindergarten
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Special Kindergarten Services
Our living mission enables us to fully teach to your
child. St. Michael Parish School's early childhood programs
provide for the development of the whole child - the
physical, emotional, social, cognitive, and spiritual
dimensions. Our Kindergarten program prepares your child for
success and confidence in primary school and beyond. We
provide an optimal developmental environment that is both
challenging and supportive.
We know how important a great beginning in education is
for your child. Kindergarten lays the learning foundation
for your child’s future years of education. We invite you
and your child to share in the joys of school with our
dedicated teachers, tailor-made Kindergarten facilities, and
faith-infused, motivating coursework. At St. Michael Parish
Kindergarten, our nurturing environment, strategic
curriculum and talented, dedicated teachers help ensure your
child has a great beginning.
Religion:
Kindergarten students will learn through stories,
activities, prayer, discussion and reflection about
their Catholic faith. Catholic values are discussed and
integrated in all subject areas.
The focus is on:
- Traditional Prayers
- God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit
- Celebrating Liturgy
- The Sacraments
- Liturgical Seasons and Holidays
- Lives of Saints
- Bible Stories
Language Arts:
The Language Arts Program includes reading, writing,
speaking, listening comprehension and the enjoyment of
literature. The program emphasizes reading skills
including listening within the group, letter
recognition, letter-sound recognition, sight word
recognition, left-to-right progression and other skills
needed to become a fluent reader.
Other skills include:
- Phonemic awareness
- Sounds of spoken language
- Phonics/decoding
- Sounds and Letters
- Manipulating words and word parts
- Listening and speaking
- Name and shape of each letter
- How sounds connect to letters
- Using letter/sound knowledge to read words
- Basics of letter and number formation
- Development of handwriting
- Comprehending
- Finding the main idea
- Sequencing events
- Making predictions and inferences
- Comparing and contrasting
- Drawing conclusions
Oral and written language are critical components of
the kindergarten program.
Some of these skills include:
- Vocabulary expansion
- Exploring themes
- Introducing students to the writing process
- Introducing different types of writing
- Shared writing
- Interactive writing
- Independent writing
- Introducing grammar, usage, and mechanics
These skills will be used to compose class stories and
write class books.
Mathematics
Kindergarten students acquire math skills through the
use of hands-on experiences.
Mathematics includes:
- Sorting - Attributes
- Geometry and Patterns
- Position Words
- Counting, Identifying and Writing Numbers to 100
- Tables, Graphs, Fractions
- Addition and Subtraction Readiness
- Measurement
- Calendars
- Clocks
- Money
- Rulers
- Problem Solving
Science:
Kindergarten students use hands-on activities to
explore science in the world around them. They will
learn through observing, predicting, questioning and
explaining.
Science includes:
- Senses
- Earth/Moon/Sun
- Weather/Seasons
- Recycling
- Plants
- Animals
- Force/Motion
Social Studies:
Kindergarten students will develop an awareness of
people around them. Thematic topics include holidays.
The use of literature will expand social studies topics.
Social Studies includes:
- Maps
- Communities
- Community Helpers
- Rules
- Then and Now
- Celebrations
- Needs
- Food
- Clothing
- Shelter
- Goods and services
Specials Courses:
Taught by professional educators in their field,
Kindergartners visit the gym, music room, tech lab and
Spanish room to receive weekly instruction in Physical
Education, Music, Technology and Spanish. Students also
enjoy a weekly visit to the library to read and find
books they may check out and take home to read. In
addition, Art is an important part of the integrated
Kindergarten curriculum, enhanced by the Art Awareness
program.
- Physical Education:
Kindergarten students will learn and explore
factors that affect a healthy lifestyle. Activities
will focus on the use of large motor skills.
Students will begin to learn about teamwork through
games.
- Music:
Kindergarten students will have the opportunity to
participate in music activities.
- Technology:
Kindergarten students will:
- Use software for practice of various skills
- Recognize basic computer components
- Produce simple personal products
- Spanish:
Kindergarten students will learn early proficiencies
in Spanish. They will work with the alphabet, learn
songs and games in Spanish, and have classroom
immersion experiences.
- Art:
Kindergarten students will have the opportunity to
express themselves in various art forms.
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Kindergarten – All Day: M-F, 7:40-2:15
Kindergarten - Half Day: M-F, 7:40-10:30
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We accept new students in Kindergarten each year! Though
some students do come to us from our Preschool, our student
capacity is expanded for Kindergarten, from about 40 to
about 60 students. For information about Open Houses, School
Tours and School Admissions, visit our
Admissions page.
Applications for Kindergarten at St. Michael are accepted
in line with our School
Admissions Policy. In accordance with State
expectations, students must have had their 5th birthday
before September 1st of their Kindergarten year. Parents who
are unsure about the best time to start their Kindergartner
are welcome to contact the School Office and consult with
our Principal and educators!
Utilizing two classrooms and three options for
Kindergarten, a full Kindergarten class typically has about
60 students: 30 in All-Day Kindergarten, 15 in Morning
Kindergarten and 15 in Afternoon Kindergarten. All-Day
Kindergarten is taught by a certified, experienced, highly
qualified, full-time Teacher and a full-time Aide. Morning
and Afternoon Kindergarten are taught by a certified,
experienced, highly qualified, full-time Teacher.
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For our students’ safety and parents’ convenience, we
have a Kindergarten Drop-off and Pick-up program.
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Students in Kindergarten wear our school uniform. The
school dress code applies to every day, beginning with the
first day of school until the last day. All students are
expected to arrive and leave school in the proper uniform.
Students will be notified of the days that they are
permitted to attend school out of uniform (such as picture
day, spirit days or special occasions). Our uniform can be
viewed at
Dennis Uniforms.
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- A Halloween Party and Parade
- A Surprise Visit from St. Nicholas
- A Christmas Program and Party
- The All-School Christmas Music Concert
- A Valentine’s Day Party
- Kindergarten Prayer Services
- A Field Trip to Blackberry Farm
- In-House Field Trips from the Children’s Museum
- Visits with 6th Grade Buddies
- Acts of Service with 6th Grade Buddies (Part of
“Faith In Action”)
- The End of Year Picnic
- A Special End of Year Prayer Service
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- Room Parents (plan and help with in-class
parties and events)
- Art Awareness Teachers (plan and teach simple,
fun art lessons)
- Bible Storytellers (teach “Bible Stories”
through this wonderful program)
- Field Trip Volunteers (help the class on our
class field trips)
- Auction Gift Coordinator (organize a class
project to be auctioned off at the
Blue & Gold Annual Gala)
- SMPO (our St. Michael
Parent Organization has many volunteer
opportunities!)
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St. Michael Parish School has a Resource Teacher on
staff who works with teachers to identify any special needs
of our students. She coordinates readiness testing and also
works closely with District 200 to connect students who may
need assistance with speech or other readiness concerns.
Our School also has a School Nurse on site 4 days a week
and School Pediatrician on-site 1 day a week. We employ a
School Counselor who is also at the ready to assist with the
needs of the children.
In addition, our Kindergarten enjoys the benefits of the
wonderful connection to the larger school community, the
church community, and the school and church facilities.
View 1st Grade Curriculum |
