Pre-School Changes for 2010-11

In Fall 2010, Ascension School will open two full-day kindergarten classrooms. To accomodate this change, we will have to make some changes in our Early Childhood Education program. As of January 2010, our tentative schedule is this: for three-year-olds, two morning classes: one on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings; one on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. For four-year-olds, a four day morning program (M,T, Th, F) and a four day afternoon program on the same days. We also have a multi-age classroom, geared for the older three-year-olds (who will meet three days a week) and the younger four-year-olds (meeting four days a week.) This class will meet in the afternoon. Our pre-school classes will meet from 9 am until 11:40 am and from 12:20 until 3 pm.

No staffing decisions have been made as of January 2010.

Any student who is enrolled at Ascension School is eligible for registration in our outstanding Extended Day Program which increases scheduling options for school families dramatically.

Watch this page for new information about the changes in our pre-school program. To schedule a visit to Ascension, please call the Advancement Office at 708-434-1558.

PK- 3
T, Th AM
T, Th PM

Multi-Age
M - F, AM

"What looks like play is really hard work!"

Ascension's Preschool Program is a play-based program with some structured learning. The program provides a safe and nurturing environment that promotes the spiritual, physical, musical, social, emotional and cognitive development of young children. Every opportunity is taken to incorporate pre-academics into the daily program. Preschoolers receive a balance of free-play and healthy structured learning. The preschool environment provides stimulating and challenging materials and activities for young children in a Christian environment. At an age appropriate level they are introduced to Catholic observances and faith values.The goal of the Ascension Preschool Program is to ensure that young children's first school experience will be a journey filled with learning, trust, affection, growth, God and fun! The program will begin to build a firm foundation that will make learning fluent and help young children develop productive friendships, self esteem and respect for themselves and others throughout their grammar school years at Ascension. Ascension Preschool is a good place to be.Gee, All those kids seem to do is play!Ascension Preschoolers do play a lot. . . 40 minutes per session. During this time they are:

• Meeting friends
• Playing with toys
• Exploring how things work
• Listening to music
• Sharing
• Pouring and measuring in the sandbox
• Having different experiences in a mostly child group situation
• Developing and expanding their language abilities
• Having creative art experiences
• Having cooperative play experiences
• Learning to share an adult's attention
• Learning social skills needed to play games and make friends
• Building with materials that may not be available at home
• Using 'messy' art materials in a space provided for experimentation
• Trying on different personalities with different clothing
• Becoming independent
• Comparing and contrasting different experiences
• Learning from others while broadening their horizons

What looks like play is really hard work!