ST. LUCY SCHOOL - Little Lightning Pre-K

WELCOME TO LITTLE LIGHTNING PRE-K

We are proud to offer the Little Lightning Pre-K program for students who have turned 4 by September 1. Lightning is our school spirit and athletic mascot, and we affectionately refer to our youngest students as the “Little Lightning” Pre-K.

The program is a five day a week program offering either a half day or full day class. Mrs. Quinn is our Pre-K Director who is supported everyday by one of our two experienced teachers, Mrs. Kluge or Ms. Masulis. Students are also supported by our Pre-K Instructional Aide, Mrs. Coyle. The Pre-K team works together to support a maximum of 22 students resulting in a teacher student ratio of 1:7.

The warm and energetic Pre-K atmosphere fosters a love of learning while providing a high quality developmentally appropriate curriculum of kindergarten readiness activities. St. Lucy School Pre-K focuses on the whole child, addressing all aspects of child development: Social, Emotional, Physical, Language, and Cognitive.

Pre-K Circle Time Welcome.mp4

Meet the Pre-K Team.mp4

Mrs. Quinn's Pre-K Overview

Pre-K Parent Testimonial.mp4

Pre-K Volcano & Earth's Crust Lesson.mp4

Pre-K Prayer 2021.mp4

FAST FACTS

Students must be age four by September 1.
We offer two 5 day per week programs: Full Day (8:00 - 3:00 pm) or Half Day (8am - 12:00 pm)
Pre-K morning care is available from 7:30 - 8:00 am.
Pre-K Afternoon Care is available from 3:00 - 6:00pm for the 2022-23 school year.
Little Lightning students wear a uniform consisting of a blue Little Lightning T-shirt with any navy bottoms and athletic shoes. Free dress days are sprinkled throughout the year.
Students bring a snack and lunch (if full day).

DAY IN THE LIFE

8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Flexible Drop Off/Free Play

Upon arrival, students will explore the classroom and engage in child-initiated imaginative and spontaneous play. They can also choose to engage in thematic projects, centers and tactile experiences.

9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Circle Time

The school day will begin as students and teachers gather on the rug to pray, salute the flag, explore the calendar, observe daily weather, sing songs, share stories and play group games. At this time, specific daily activities and center choices will be explained and modeled.

9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Group Instruction

Each week teachers will introduce curricular concepts and themes to the class as a whole.

10:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. Snack / Outdoor Play

During snack time, students will learn basic health and nutrition practices by hand washing and discussing healthy food choices. They will also give thanks and politely socialize while sharing a snack. While exploring the outdoors, students will engage in large and small motor development, practice problem solving, learn how to respect the space and property of peers and build friendships.

Outdoor time will offer students the opportunity to develop social skills while galloping, running, hopping, jumping, riding, and digging. Students also learn to care for their environment while cleaning up before heading back inside.

10:50 a.m. - 11:40 a.m. Centers

Throughout the week, teachers will facilitate small group curricular instruction in language and literacy, religion, math, science and social studies.

11:40 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Story Time / Closing Circle

Students will gather together to listen to a story in preparation for Half Day class dismissal.

12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Lunch, Rest, Creative Activities

Students gather for lunch and participate in a variety of indoor and outdoor games Students creatively explore arts and crafts and also participate in nap/quite time. Full Day class dismissal is at 3:00 pm.

Extended Care Program

The Morning Care program is available from 7:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. in the Pre-K classroom.

Afternoon Care will be available from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. in 2022-23.

CURRICULUM

Overview:

Our curriculum meets the 10 program standards as outlined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The core curriculum includes language arts, math, science, and creative arts. Students are engaged in thematic hands on learning projects which incorporate music and movement activities. They are encouraged to be responsible, experiment and problem solve as they work with others in small and large group activities.

Early Literacy:

Students will practice letter and sound identification, rhyming, story sequencing and a variety of oral and written literacy activities. Handwriting Without Tears “Get Set for School” is the pre-writing program which supports proper letter recognition and formation.

Math:

Students will develop real-life math concepts by identifying numbers, quantities, shapes and patterns. Students will practice sequencing, sorting, measurement, spatial sense, geometry and making comparisons.

Science:

Students will utilize their five senses to investigate, observe, question, and make predictions. Students love conducting experiments such as erupting a volcano, seasonal cooking activities and outdoor nature exploration.

Social Studies:

Students will learn about families, community helpers and important cultural holidays and celebrations.

Religion:

Students will gain awareness about God’s creation of people, families and all living beings, as well as participate in school wide service outreach projects and drives. The “Allelu” religion curriculum consists of daily prayer, Bible stories and stories of Jesus’ life.

Motor Skills, Music and Movement:

Students will engage daily in age appropriate gross and fine motor development activities to support a seamless Kindergarten transition. Music teachers and students collaborate weekly to learn rhythmic beats, songs, and coordinated movements.

Building Relationships:

Teachers encourage the children to play and work together as they develop a sense of belonging in our cheerful, faith-based school family. Children learn to resolve conflicts by identifying feelings, describing problems and trying solutions. They learn to take pride in their work and progress!

Social Emotional Curriculum "Second Step":

Teachers also utilize the Second Step Social-Emotional Learning curriculum to help teach some of these concepts. Second Step helps transform schools into supportive, successful learning environments uniquely equipped to help children thrive.

Nutrition:

Lunch and snacks are provided by parents. When students reach Kindergarten, hot lunch is available five days per week.

Mrs. Nicole Quinn

Pre-K Director

Thirty years ago, as I was exploring my education and my future, I discovered my commitment to the education of young children. My very deliberate academic path, including undergraduate studies in psychology, sociology, and early childhood education, as well as my graduate studies in the California credential program, confirmed my commitment to a future involved in nurturing young minds.

As a preschool teacher, school age teacher, tutor, and parent, my focus has always been and continues to be centered on the education of children. The vision of creating a Pre-k program has been an ever-present and developing goal of mine and I am delighted to see it come to fruition through the Little Lightning Pre-k program in the warm and thriving Catholic community of St. Lucy School.

Mrs. Gina Kluge

Pre-K Teacher & Site Supervisor

I was born and raised in Campbell, California and have been a member of St. Lucy Parish since childhood. I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Child & Adolescent Psychology and Sociology from San Jose State University and am currently continuing my education in the field of Child Development studies. I have over 13 years of experience as a preschool teacher and have also taught toddler classes at the Campbell Community Center. In addition, I have also run a home day care program.

My husband Mark and I have three children. Our youngest daughter is a student at St. Lucy School and this year our daughter will begin high school as our son begins college. I have a tremendous passion for working with young children and I am excited to fulfill this lifelong dream continuing as part of the Little Lightning team.

Mrs. Joy Coyle

Pre-K Instructional Aide

I grew up in California and graduated from UC Davis. I began my post-college career in engineering, and worked as a Satellite Engineer and as a Software Engineer for nearly 10 years. After my first child was born I was drawn back to a subject I had enjoyed studying in college, which was understanding and teaching children. While in college, I had a fascination with teaching and always thought that I would become a teacher, but software development was an exciting ever-growing field and I chose my degree in Computer Science & Mathematics while completing many classes in Education just for fun.

I have been teaching preschoolers & toddlers for over 20 years. I am most often recognized as Miss Joy from teaching Parent Toddler classes at the Campbell Recreation Center. I enjoy this age because I love being a part of the beginning, lighting the fire for the love of learning in a fun and happy environment. My husband and I live in San Jose and we have three daughters.

Ms. Janna Masulis

Pre-K Teacher

I am looking forward to my third year with the St. Lucy’s community! I will be spending my time in our Pre-k program. Born and raised in San Jose, I left the Bay Area to attend Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo and received my B.S. in Child Development and minored in Psychology. Being the daughter of a teacher, I have always been drawn to working with children and education, and I am looking forward to continuing my journey at St. Lucy’s. A few of my favorite things include coffee, my family, and time spent outside!

WELCOME TO LITTLE LIGHTNING PRE-K

FAST FACTS

DAY IN THE LIFE

CURRICULUM

PRE-K IN ACTION

Follow our Pre-K Class on social media! @stlucyschoolprek

APPLY TODAY to become a Lightning Family!