Summer pre-k program

By Patsy Cincotta - Staff writer

May 06, 2008 09:32 am

— There will be a summer pre-kindergarten program for 4 year olds at Kids World this year. Dawn Johnson, director at Kids World, said that facility will be hosting the program, which will be paid for with money left in the empowerment fund through the school district.
“Because it will be using empowerment money, kids will need to qualify under income guidelines. We’re hoping to fill two classrooms with 20 in each, and we still have six slots available,” Johnson said.
There will be no cost to parents. There are kids enrolled from Head Start and the other pre-school programs. The summer school will be Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., with breakfast served until 8:30 a.m., lunch and snacks included.
Johnson said some of the kids are used to attending preschool for only part of a day and this schedule will get them used to full-day kindergarten when the day comes.
“We are so excited about this,” Johnson said. She and her sister, Terri, who also works at Kids World, have been planning activities.
“The theme is ‘Under the Sea’ and they will work on academics like counting and letters, and arts and crafts, but there will also be lifeguards talking about water safety. We‘ll have lessons on sun safety, too, and we’re excited about having a family luau where parents can join in the fun.
There are field trips planned to the Science Center and Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines and another one to the Rathbun Fish Hatchery.
Teachers at the summer pre-school will be Johnson and Rebecca Montegna with aides Macey Oden and Marcy Shinn. The empowerment money will also pay the teachers’ and aides’ salaries.
“This is going to be such a good experience for the 4 year olds,” said Johnson. “And it will be good preparation for when they start kindergarten.”
The program begins June 9 and will run through July 31. Children must have turned 4 years old by Sept. 15, 2007. For more information contact Terri Johnson, 641-437-1500.

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