Last year’s TK students Claire Hinds and Ava Grey get hands-on with iPads at a Learning Center. The iPads were purchased through a 2013-2014 First 5 grant.
SFCS has space available in its Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program. This year, the TK program is for students whose birthday falls between September 2 and December 2, 2014.
Although TK and Kindergarten (K) are combined into one classroom at SFCS, TK is considered the beginning of a two year Kindergarten program. The TK program uses a modified K curriculum that is age and developmentally appropriate, and provided in an engaging, project-play based environment.
“TK students often have limited experience interacting with peers and teachers, or may not yet know how to listen or follow a structured class schedule,” said TK/K teacher Brandon Kanarowski. “The TK program ensures that children have these pivotal skills, which are foundations to successful learning, when they begin kindergarten.”
SFCS began its TK program in 2013-2014. All TK students advanced to kindergarten.
During the 2013-2014 school year, with the help of a grant from First 5 of Mariposa County, SFCS was able to enhance Learning Centers to meet the needs of TK students. Small group centers allow for more choice than whole group instruction and rotations among centers promote exploration and bring a balance between teacher-directed and child-directed learning. However, Learning Centers require full-time, devoted adult supervision.
“We believe our success last year was due in large part to having a qualified aide in the classroom,” said Principal Alfonso Garagarza.
New for 2014-2015, SFCS has received a grant from First 5 of Mariposa County to fund one half the cost of a TK/K classroom aide. The aide will spend at least half her time ensuring that the needs of TK students are met.
“We owe a special thanks to First 5 for helping us to maintain this level of support to our TK students in 2014-2015,” said Garagarza.
SFCS emphasizes hands-on approaches to learning and discovery. It’s not what SFCS teaches that is innovative, but how. Research shows that children learn academic concepts best by first experiencing them in familiar and practical ways with their own hands. SFCS teaches California academic standards through a place-based approach to learning that has been demonstrated to increase student motivation and achievement.
“The SFCS TK program is intent on preparing young children for success in Kindergarten,” said Kanarowski.
“With the support of First 5 to help fund a full time aide, plus our wonderful parent volunteers,” she continued, “I’m looking forward to an extremely successful school year.”
Sierra Foothill Charter School is a free, non-profit, K-8 public school located at 4952 School House Road in Catheys Valley. The 2014-2015 school year begins Wednesday, September 3, 2014. For more information, contact the office at 209-742-6222 or visit SFCS’s website: sierrafoothillcharterschool.org. Space is limited.
