Happy Huskies Preschool
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Happy Husky Preschool is a lab-based early childhood program. High school students, studying child development, work with the 3, 4, and 5 year old children that attend our program. The high school students prepare lessons for the children daily, all of which focus on the preparatory skills needed for the preschool children to be successful in kindergarten. They also complete weekly observations to gain a better sense of the preschool children’s developmental and educational needs. The preschool director is a certified Family and Consumer Sciences high school instructor, with several years of child development and preschool experience. It is the responsibility of the director to review students’ lesson plans regularly and to be certain all plans are developmentally and academically appropriate. All lesson plans are required to meet the early childhood state learning standards. Through this unified high school student and director relationship, a quality program is established for our preschool children.
FAQ
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Philosophy
The preschool experience for our happy huskies is one that is educational, nurturing, and joyful. Children develop a long-lasting enthusiasm for learning, as they receive a great deal of one-on-one attention, and work towards acquiring the foundational skills needed to succeed in their many upcoming years of schooling. Our overall goal of “kindergarten readiness” is one that focuses on socialization, communication, attentiveness, and responsibility. As the children work towards acquiring these skills, they gain a sense of independence and self-confidence.
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Weekly Themes & Activities
Each week, the children participate in various activities that revolve around a different theme. As they participate in each themed lesson, they work towards acquiring a wide variety of skills in the various early childhood content areas, including, language arts, fine arts, mathematics, physical development/ health, science, social science, and social/emotional development. By attending preschool at John Hersey High School, our preschool students have a great advantage. We are able to visit various quarters of the school, including, the gym, athletic fields, library, computer lab, culinary arts room, science labs, and theater. The preschool room itself has a world of learning centers too, some of which include, a dramatic play station, an art station, a science center, a reading center, a computer center, a manipulative play center, and plenty of space to engage in large group gross motor skill activities too.
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Weekly Schedule
We currently have a morning and afternoon preschool session. The times of each session are set once high school course registration and scheduling is complete. Therefore, session times may fluctuate each school year. Each session typically meets 3 to 4 days a week, for approximately 1½ hours a day. However, due to the fact that we follow Hersey High School’s schedule, in terms of days off, special events, and school assemblies, preschool families must be flexible and understand daily meeting times are subject to change/cancellation. Preschool parents are given monthly calendars and more detailed weekly calendars that highlight daily preschool events.
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Special Events
We go on two field trips each school year. Kohl’s Children’s Museum and the Brookfield Zoo are a few of our favorites! We also invite guest speakers to visit our classroom, including, firefighters, police officers, the high school nurse, storytellers, and even siblings! The high school drama class always invites us to various plays throughout the school year as well. It is always so much fun to see some of our favorite fairytales and classic childhood stories come to life. Another special event is our annual performance in the Hersey Holiday Assembly. Our outstanding singing skills are also recognized at the annual Senior Citizen Banquet, hosted by Hersey High School’s Service Over Self club. Holidays are always special too! From trickor-treating and singing holiday carols throughout the various high school classrooms, to exchanging valentines and trying to catch leprechauns, we always have so much fun! Lastly, our “Preschool Palooza” program is the perfect grand finale to each year of preschool. During this event, the preschool children perform their favorite songs and reminisce about their best preschool memories. Friends and family members are all welcome to come celebrate with us.
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Requirements
• Children must be at least 3 years of
age.
• Children must be toilet trained.
• Children must have a current physical.
• The preschool family must hold daily
attendance in high regard. -
Tuition
Tuition is $300 per school year ($150 collected at the start of each semester). Tuition covers the cost of preschool supplies, daily snack, and field trip expenses.