PreSchool/Pre-Kindertarten/Kindergarten
Our program, offered through Lititz Christian School, challenges students academically while allowing a broad continuum of developmental activities into each school day. God’s word is incorporate into our total teaching program. We believe that every child deserves the heritage of knowledge of God and His Son, and without it, education is not complete. It is our desire to see each child grow cognitively, emotionally, socially, spiritually and physically.
Hours of Preschool & Pre-K
The Preschool & Pre-K program operates between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 11:25 a.m. Monday-Friday and follows a normal yearly school schedule with classes beginning the last Monday of August and classes end following the Memorial Day holiday unless snow make-up days are added to the end of the school year. Options for Preschool and Pre-K include 3 (MWF) and 5 mornings.
Hours of Kindergarten
The Kindergarten program is a full day program beginning at 8:00 a.m. and ending at 2:40 p.m. Monday – Friday. This program follows a yearly school schedule with classes beginning the last Monday in August and ending following Memorial Day unless snow days are added to the end of the year.
Certification
The Preschool/Pre-K and Kindergarten are accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).
Curriculum
Our curriculum standards are those set forth by the state of PA . These Standards for Early Childhood Education are reference, by each teacher, in lesson plans submitted to administration on a weekly basis. Biblical truths are integrated with every lesson.
Preschool teachers have created thematic units of study which are incorporated within all domains of learning. Units consist of hands-on materials, manipulatives, and age-appropriate activities. Preschool students have periods of music and physical education classes taught by teachers who hold degrees in these disciplines. (see Activities listed below)
Pre-kindergarten teacher’s use a comprehensive program from MacMillan McGraw-Hill Publishing titled “Little Treasures” whichincorporates elements of science, math, literacy, social studies, music and language to provide the pre-kindergarten child with a solid foundation for kindergarten. In addition to the academics pre-k students enjoy periods of music and physical education classes taught by teachers who hold degrees in these disciplines. (see Activities listed below)
Our Kindergarten program is a full day 8:00 – 2:40 where language arts is a focus each morning. Kid-writing Kindergarten program utilize Macmillan MacGraw Hill for teaching math for the 2010/11 school year.
"Kid Writing" a systematic approach to phonics, journals and writing workshop is introduced in kindergarten where students make connections between reading and writing as they illustrate and write stories their own stories. (see Activities listed below)
The Bible program is supported using Beginners Bible and Scripture Bites for preschool, and publisher David C. Cook for pre-k and kindergarten. Bible truths are integrated into the entire curriculum.
DIBELS is used as an assessment measure with our kindergarten students where the big ideas in beginning reading focuses on the five BIG IDEAS of early literacy: phonemic awareness, alphabetic principle, accuracy and fluency with text, vocabulary, and comprehension.
- See our academic handbook for additional information on curriculum.
Activities
- Bible is integrated into our program through formal and informal methods through verse memorization to stories and songs. God's Word serves as integral part of our total program.
- Learning Stations occur as students choose from a variety of available activities including math, art, science, language arts, dramatic play. Learning center periods offer children opportunities to experience hands-on activities that strengthen motor skills, practice academic skills that have been introduced, provide social interaction and practice using social skills, and provide children with time for self-initiated activities. Center time also allows the teacher opportunities to model and guide learning and behavior.
- Language Experiences occur during Circle time using children's literature, role play, and imagination as well as social experiences and teacher directed activities.
- Small Motor experiences may focus on finger and hand control to paint, draw, mold clay and play dough or construct with building materials such as Legos.
- Physical Education classes are taught by a faculty member who has attained his degree in this discipline. Students in preschool will learn basic loco motor movements (i.e. hopping, jumping, galloping, and sliding). They will begin to throw, roll, kick, and catch various objects. Students will learn how to move in space, and be aware of others around them through various games and activities. Pre-Kindergarten students will begin to master loco motor movements and add movements such as skipping and animal movements. The students will continue to throw, roll, catch, kick, and begin to strike various objects. The students will focus on following directions and learning how to follow them the first time given through various activities and games.
- Music classes are part of each week taught by a faculty member who has attained her degree in this discipline. Students will be exposed to a wide variety of musical styles and explore musical patterns maps and instrument families. Rhythm instruments are used to teach the basics of music notation, rhythm and meter. They will learn opposites as they apply to music (ie. loud (forte), soft (piano), fast, slow, high, low) and use their bodies and voices to explore the differences. Students will also be exposed to basic musical concepts: rhythm, and pitch.
- Computers are located in each classroom and used to supplement learning activities appropriate for each developmental level or age. Timers are used in order that each student who desires may have opportunity to experience learning through the use of technology.
Special Days in the academic program:
- Grandparents' Day – This special day is one of our favorites! After a Grandparents’ Day program in our chapel, grandparents are invited to their grandchild’s classroom for refreshments (made by the children) and a social time.
- Holiday Celebrations – Your child’s teacher will communicate plans for special holiday class celebrations.
- Spirit Week – A week where days are designated as crazy clothes day, sports day, pajama day, patriotic day, show your school spirit day by wearing school colors of navy blue, light blue and white, etc.
- Discovery Days are typically held in May. Discovery Days are designed to Discover, Explore and Serve. We designate three days in May for discovery activities that would not normally take place during the school year. During these three days teachers take a break from many of the usual daily activities and plan special activities around a theme.
- Spring Program also held in May. Preschool and Pre-K classes participate in this special evening program which is a culmination of the school year.
Open
House
Morningstar academics hosts an Open House for prospective families in February. Traditionally a morning open house is held from 9- 11 a.m. Call the Morningstar office for additional information.
Student Assessment
Student assessment is reported to parents by way of Progress Reports or Report Cards. Progress Reports are a guide to your child's progress conducted through on-going formal and informal evaluations and assessments conducted by the teacher(s). Parent Teacher telephone conferences are scheduled to be held each October. Parent teacher meetings or conferences are held toward the end of January.
Faculty
Each faculty member is required to hold a Bachelors Degree in Education, to earn continuing education credits each school year as well as profess faith in Jesus Christ. Each teacher is assisted by a teacher's aide where applicable.
For more information on MorningStar Academics please follow the link to www.lititzchristian.net.
Click on 'Admissions / Student Policies' to access our student handbook.
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