Falcon's Nest Preschool
Full day Preschool program 9:00-3:15
Lesson Plans using elements from Creative Curriculum focused on child interest and Kindergarten readiness skills
Assessment twice yearly through Teaching Strategies GOLD, Parent Teacher Conferences and Home Visits
PAX and PBIS strategies to support self-regulation, build a sense of community and increase positive social interactions
Preschool Teacher team
A Lead teacher and two assistant teachers work in the Falcon's Nest to provide consistency and model best practices for the High School students.
Ms. Theresa- Ms. Maribel- Ms. Giselle
High School team
The Preschool Director teaches the High School students about child development, theories and ways to interact with young children. The High School students then act as student teachers in the Falcon's Nest leading lessons they wrote.
High school students are working towards earning a Child Development Associate (CDA). This certificate proves they have received instruction in each of the competency areas, are trained in CPR & First-aid and have 480 hours of hands-on experience with Preschool children and families.
We have about 165 high school students enrolled in Child Services classes at Liberty High School.
What is CTE ?
Career and technical education (CTE) prepares youth and adults for a wide range of high-wage, high-skill, high-demand careers such as a Preschool teacher or Early Childhood Special Education Teacher.
Each class period high school students join in the learning with our preschoolers. Depending on the high school schedule some class periods 3 high school students support in preschool and other class periods 12 high school students will support in preschool. That could be 15 helpers for the group of 20 preschoolers!
This allows for more one on one individualized attention for each preschool child. The typical preschool ratio is 1 teacher for 10 children.
Meals
At Falcon's Nest Preschool we provide an early snack, lunch and an afternoon snack. We follow USDA food guidelines and all student workers obtain a Food Handler's Card. We serve our meals family style so children can work on self-help and independence skills.
Families do not need to provide any food. When a child has a dietary restriction the Director and Parent will work together for meal substitutions.
Outdoor play
We use our playground space for climbing, running, acting, gardening and more! The playground is an extension of our classroom for exploration and skill building. Outdoor play is planned for twice a day and we ask that parents bring coats and boots to enjoy rainy day walks. Some days we will explore the high school gymnasium, track, baseball fields and high school garden as well. We explore the community around us as much as we can!
Flow of the Day
9:00 Check in/Arrival
Table Activities and Morning Greetings
9:20-9:30 Morning Circle
9:30-10:30 Discovery Stations and snack
10:30-10:40 Story Time
10:40-11:40 Outdoor classroom
11:40-12:15 Lunch
12:15-1:00 Rest time
1:00-2:00 Outdoor classroom
2:00-3:00 Discovery Stations and snack
3:00-3:15 Afternoon Circle
3:15 Time to go home
FAQ
What hours is the Preschool open? 9:00-3:15, we no longer offer before or after school care.
What does my child need to bring to school? An extra set of clothes including socks and underwear, a water bottle, a blanket for rest and a jacket. In the Winter, your child will need a hat, gloves and boots.
Does my child need to be potty trained? Yes, we don't have space for a changing table in our classroom.
What lessons will you teach my child? At Falcon's Nest we provide a rich curriculum related to your child's interests. At the beginning of the school year we ask all families to complete the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) screening tool to determine the skills your child already has and what she is working on. We play with your child and watch what she does to develop plans to challenge the skills she already has. If you have concerns about your child's development we work closely with NW Regional ESD http://www.nwresdeiecse.org/
What should I do if my child isn't feeling well? Attendance is so important. Please call or email by 10:00 so we can get an accurate lunch count to the kitchen. Make sure to follow the exclusion guidelines and keep your child home for 24 hours after; fever over 100.4, vomiting, diarrhea, unknown rash or too lethargic to keep up with the daily routine.
Can I visit my child at school? Yes, we are always happy to see our parents and learn more about your culture. If you would like to assist with a lesson, please reach out to the lead teacher for coordination.
What if my child cries when I drop him off? Starting a new school can be scary for children. We expect that students are nervous and may need a teacher close by. It's best if you create a plan for your child such as first sign-in, next put bag and coat in the cubby, then wash hands together and last review the schedule of the day. We encourage children to wave goodbye out the front window and make silly faces to their parent as the preschool teacher takes over using patience and kind gestures.
What happens in case of an emergency? The preschool children practice fire drills and lock downs with the high school, as we hear the "all call" announcements. We prepare the children before the time comes and help them to stay calm. If a real event takes place we follow the practice of the drill and communicate with families after it is over.
Does this program feel like a good fit for your family?
Would you like to schedule a tour?
Contact: Falcon's Nest Preschool Director, Kristen Rekow, rekowk@hsd.k12.or.us
To secure your spot on the wait list:
- Complete all forms shown below
- Mail or scan to Kristen Rekow at Rekowk@hsd.k12.or.us
Liberty High School, 7445 NE Wagon Dr, Hillsboro, OR 97124
- Include a check payable to Liberty High School of $25
Falcons Nest Enrollment 22-23.pdf