The+School


 * Macksburg Preschool **

__Environment__ The school is located in a cute little white country church. The portion of the church where the preschool holds class was built specifically for the preschool, so the sinks and toilets are the correct size for preschool age children. There are four different rooms that are used for the preschool. The rooms all have different learning areas such as; dramatic play, art, manipulatives, books, puzzles, and one large theme room that changes every month with a new theme. There is also a fenced outside play area. The school climate is one that works toward helping the children develop their social, emotional, intellectual, and physical skills. Most of all, it is one that helps the children develop an awareness of themselves to be happy and confident. This is done with the aid of four teachers, who love and care deeply for the children. __Formal Practices__ The school is solely a preschool that has four classes, a morning and afternoon 4/5 year old class that is held on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and a morning and afternoon 3/4 year old class that is held on Tuesday and Thursday. The school year is modeled after the local public schools, so all the major holidays are scheduled to coincide with the public school. The day begins with free time where the children can choose where they would like to play. There is one teacher who is “on the floor” with the children, while the other teacher spends one on one time with the children working on things such as; crafts, writing, letter recognition, color recognition, and so on. About an hour later there is clean up time, followed by circle time where there is singing, story and different group activities. After circle time it is snack time, then it is time to go home. The day is two and one-half hours long. __Traditions__ The school’s tradition is one that includes the families in many events held by the preschool, for instance a fall festival and every holiday the children sing for their families. At the end of the preschool year there is a graduation for the students who will be going to kindergarten. Macksburg preschool is highly regarded by the community and is viewed as a school where families are welcomed, respected, and needed. The families are encouraged to be involved with the school. Family involvement is a vital piece to supporting learning and academic achievement. Another important item that Macksburg Preschool recognizes as an important point in children’s learning is a large block of time set aside for child initiated exploration. __Student Diversity__ · Our school has four teacher, one of the teachers acts as the director as well, and one bookkeeper. · There are a total of 80 students enrolled in the school of those students the majority are Caucasian. There is one African American student and four Hispanic students. The preschool offers private scholarships to families in need and at this current time there are four students who are receiving this help. Three students are receiving the services of ESD and there are two children who are foster children. · The preschool is looked at as a ministry of the church that it is located in, so the tuition is kept at a minimum in order to make it possible for families that may have not been able to afford preschool to send their child. · The student-teacher ratio is 1-10.