CC school to offer extended preschool

Morning/afternoon option to join two current programs

By Amie Johansen

amie@charlescitypress.com

This year was the first year Washington Elementary school was able to offer preschool to the families in the Charles City Community School District. Preschool was made possible thanks to a fairly new initiative funded by the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program. Preschool is offered to children turning four years old by Sept. 15.

According to the Iowa Department of Education, the purpose of SWVPP is to provide an opportunity for all young children in the state of Iowa to enter school ready to learn by expanding voluntary access to quality preschool curricula for all four-year-old children. Parents could choose to enroll their students in either a morning or afternoon preschool class.

Now, a third option is available to incoming preschoolers: extended day preschool.

“Next year we’re going to expand to offer an option to have full day — five, full days a week,” Washington Elementary School Principal Kara Shannon said.

Although an extended day is offered, formal instruction will only be given for half a day.

“We’re not using structured curriculum (during the second half),” Shannon said. “We’re not taking data or grades (on student’s activities).”

Shannon explained that if a student still takes naps then their curriculum focused portion of the day will be in the morning. However, if a student is not necessarily a morning person and takes a little while to become fully alert, their curriculum focused portion of the day will be held in the afternoon.

Although one portion of the day will not necessarily be curriculum focused and students will not be graded, the second portion will still be structured.

“It’s a safe structured environment that fosters choices and learning,” Shannon said. “The biggest piece is, these students are getting education, attention and social interaction all day.”

During the second portion of the day, students will participate in activity centers. These centers include art, math, science, dramatic play and reading and are used to enhance what students are taught during the instructional portion of the day.

Currently Washington preschool serves 40 students. Next year, the extended day preschool will be able to serve 60 students.  

“It is first come, first serve, we already have 38 people that are interested,” Shannon said.

The half day preschool programs — either morning or afternoon — are free to students and offer breakfast or lunch. The extended program offers breakfast and lunch but requires a monthly fee.

“It’s only $150 month,” Shannon said.  

Registration forms are available by selecting the Washington Elementary School link at www.charlescityschools.org. Forms should be downloaded, printed and returned to the Washington school office. Morning or afternoon preferences will be given priority to those who have registered first. Questions concerning Washington Preschool should be directed to Shannon by calling 641-257-6570 or by emailing kshanno@charlescityschools.org.