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GROWN UPS
Follow up to Selecting a Pre-School
Dear Parents-As promised here are some more tips for
selecting not only a preschool for your child, but notes about the whole
selection process in general. Special thanks to Sharon Haag of May River
Montessori School, and Lauren Marlis and Dr. Susan Groesbeck of Hilton Head
Preparatory School.
"Parents should tour ALL of the schools they
are interested in and formulate their own conclusions based on knowing the
needs of their particular child. They should observe the school first of all
for a sage, clean environment. They should look for happy, engaged children
and teachers. Look for well-equipped rooms and ask questions about the school’s
philosophy, program and services."
Sharon Haag, Director
May River Montessori
"The transition from pre-school to kindergarten
is subtle. Classroom settings such as ours at Hilton Head Prep. Have many
different activities. Students have group lessons and also do individual work.
They also have specials each day which means they are not only busy and
actively engaged, but moving around throughout their day."
Lauren Marlis
Hilton Head Preparatory
"When you tour a school, look for not only
content of curriculum but also at the way information is distributed. Also,
look for that isolated child and see how the teacher is doing about it. See
how the children treat each other. See if children handle the transitions
easily-from work to play and from play to work for example. Is the environment
loose or rigid? Some children need more structure than others. Know your own
child. Never base your decision of hearsay. No one else knows your child the
way you do.
Stay at school for awhile. Stay for transitional
activities like lunch or recess. Get the feel of how the whole day moves and
how comfortable and how the students handle that flow. Finally, here is a
different kind of suggestion: call the school with a question and see how you
and your call are handled."
Dr. Susan Groesbeck
Director, Hilton Head Preparatory
I would add to this: Be sure to ask for any printed
materials. Not just pamphlets, but a school paper, magazine, handbook, or
yearbook for example. Finally, look at the staff and ask some questions. How
many have credentials or degrees? Do you see them interacting with each other
in areas of curriculum and communication between grade levels? Do they have
regular staff meetings both at grade levels and as a school? Do the teachers
seem to enjoy what they are doing and do they make you feel like a welcome
guest in their classroom? Do you see children’s work on the board or
purchased decorations? How are the children seated? I could go on and on but I
hope you are seeing that this is no easy task.
I know all this seems like a lot of work, but in the
end it is well worth your efforts. Think of your child being happy to go to
school in the mornings and full of great news about the things they have
learned at school to share with you in the car on the way home. Carry this
foundation through to the short and long term future and you will agree I am
sure that at this time in your child’s life, there is no better way for you
to spend your time.
Judith Lawrenson, M. Ed.
(Miller Unruh Reading Resource Specialist)
Comments to Judith at JLResource@AOL.com,
or Post on our Bulletin Board
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