PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Holdrege Public Schools Pre-Kindergarten Program provides a positive learning environment for children. The program is designed upon the research-based philosophy that children need opportunities to participate in developmentally appropriate activities. The pre-kindergarten classrooms provide many “hands on” experiences which encourage the development of language, literacy, social skills, and math. The Teaching Strategies GOLD and Little Treasures curriculum are used to assess individual growth in children and provide lessons that fit the needs of each child. Tuition is free for special education students, free/reduced lunch students or ELL students. Home visits take place throughout the year. Four year olds attend pre-kindergarten 4 days per week with an AM and PM session (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) from 8:00 -11:15 a.m. and Noon – 3:15 p.m. Limited transportation is available; special needs students get preference as bus riders. Children must be 4 years old by July 31st of the pre-kindergarten year and reside in Holdrege Public School district.

BELIEF STATEMENTS

• Children and families are the heart of our program
• Each child and family is unique and will be treated with dignity and respect
• The cooperative efforts of home, school, and community are essential for education
• Learning is a lifelong process

OBJECTIVES FOR DEVELOPMENT & LEARNING

• Language
• Social-Emotional
• Emotional Development
• Cognitive Development
• Physical Development
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Science
• Social Studies

A DAY IN PRE-KINDERGARTEN

• Snack Time
• Circle Time (reading, calendar, weather, flag salute)
• Centers & Small Groups
• Music & Movement
• Fine and Gross Motor
• Play

SCHOOL RULES

Our staff promotes trust, sharing, independence, and self-control by setting limits, encouraging appropriate behavior and social expectations, and by respecting different cultural, language, and family compositions.

• Be Safe
• Be Responsible
• Be Respectful

ASSESSMENT

Assessment of students’ growth and progress in the classroom is ongoing, authentic, and part of a student’s day in the classroom. The Holdrege Public Schools Pre-kindergarten Program focuses on the Teaching Strategies GOLD framework, that aligns with the Nebraska Department of Education standards in pre-kindergarten education. The assessments are completed throughout the year and the information gathered is used for program planning, reporting, and staff development. Student’s information will be shared with parents at conferences or home visits, but parents are encouraged to contact their child’s teacher at anytime for questions regarding their child’s progress.