Many families have had questions about Kindergarten and their options. These are a few answers to those questions, and I will find out more information if you email me your concerns or speak with me at school at any time. I hope this helps.
If my child attends Kindergarten at St. Thomas, will they be able to repeat Kindergarten at another school?
Yes – for younger 5 year old children (summer birthdays) or children who need an extra year of academics and play to mature. This will allow your child to be an older student in class as well as a leader amongst their classmates.
If my child attends Kindergarten at St. Thomas, will they be able to go on to 1st Grade?
Yes – if they meet the birthday qualifications (5 years old by September 1st). If they are not 5-years old by September 1st, they must repeat Kindergarten a second time.
What is St. Thomas’ daily schedule?
Full day 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Monday – Friday. The program includes enrichment courses: music, fine arts, P.E. structured large motor games and activities, computers/keyboarding, and Spanish. Students will participate in whole group and small group instruction, as well as dailycenters that include: language/literacy, math, science, social studies, religion, art, music, and drama.
What is St. Thomas’ curriculum for Kindergarten?
The Kindergarten curriculum is based on Arizona State Standards, Religion curriculum and Early Childhood Standards. The class is not limited to pacing calendars and will introduce subjects that correspond with children’s interests. This emergent curriculum allows children to learn through active exploration and use their natural wonderment to explore subject matter. They learn through play, games, actions, relationships, opportunities, and repetition.
What is St. Thomas’ Kindergarten class size compared to districts?
St. Thomas – 18 students with 2 teachers; maximum capacity 20 students. Catalina Foothills – 20 students with 1 teacher; maximum capacity 22 students Tucson Unified – 26 students with 1 teacher maximum capacity 28 students. Catholic Schools – 20 students with 2 teachers.
Does the Kindergarten assess the children?
The children are formally assessed three times a year using Work Sampling Assessment, Writing Prompts (four times a year), and DRA (Developmental Reading Assessment). We do various ongoing assessments such as journal writing, alphabet book, children’s portfolios, weekly subject assessments and anecdotal notes.
Will my child be ready for 1st grade when they leave the Kindergarten Program?
Yes – the Kindergarten Program has to follow the same academic standards for Kindergarten as any other school. Your children will be equipped with various tools to take with them to any school-problem solving, using the classroom as a resource, asking questions, communicating their ideas, taking risks in their learning, confidence in their ability and being independent in their learning process.
Why does my child need Kindergarten?
You learned most things in Kindergarten, such as sharing, communicating your feelings, taking turns, listening to others, being responsible, recognizing sounds of letters, dancing, art, music appreciation, learning fine motor skills, creating words using phonics, awareness of multiculturalism, enthusiasm for learning, using Kindergarten spelling, how to express yourselves as writers and illustrators, learning to count one to one, making friendly numbers, adding and subtracting, being a scientist and learning the scientific process, taking risks, making predictions and being curious about everything. And so much more!!!