Presbyterian kindergarten class wants to boost enrollment
Kindergarten teacher Debbie Jones has five active students, yet
the space in her half-day classroom provides room for up to 15
children.
Last year 12 students started in September. But with parents
moving out of the area and changes in public school kindergartens
there were only eight students left at the end of last year.
Presbyterian kindergarten class wants to boost enrollment
Kindergarten teacher Debbie Jones has five active students, yet the space in her half-day classroom provides room for up to 15 children.
Last year 12 students started in September. But with parents moving out of the area and changes in public school kindergartens there were only eight students left at the end of last year.
Changes were recently made in the requirements of the Hollister school district, which now permits extended-day kindergarten sessions and ratio of students for one teacher was lowered to one teacher per 20 students. These are likely causes of the low enrollment in Jones’ class this year – an 8 a.m. to noon session – said Trish Brem, the director of the First Presbyterian Church’s kindergarten program.
Although many teachers and parents seem to prefer the longer days offered at public school, the parents of students who prefer shorter days would benefit from a half-day session, Brem said.
When on the playground, the kindergartners often play with the younger children, so it would be more stimulating for them to have more students their own age on a regular basis, Jones said.
Even though their class is small, the young students are having a great time.
The children all have different things they like best about kindergarten. Chloe likes the book “Chika, Chika, Boom, Boom,” which teaches about the alphabet.
“Chloe is into books, she likes going out as her favorite character. Right now it’s Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz,” said Chloe’s mother, Joanna Blackwood.
“Kindergarten is a lot of play, the kids have fun, like hearing stories and learning at the same time,” Jones said.
The students are learning skills such as how to write the alphabet, use scissors and write and recognize their names.
Jones also teaches at a day school where she is known as “Miss Debbie.” She has the kindergartners call her “Mrs. Jones.” Occasionally, she has accidentally referred to herself as “Miss Debbie” in her kindergarten class. “They say ‘No, you’re Mrs. Jones,’ so they help me remember who I am,” Jones said with a smile.
In addition to the curriculum required by the state, students also are instructed in Christian education.
“When a student shares, we not only tell them we and their families are proud of them for sharing, we tell them Jesus would be proud of them for sharing and getting along,” Brem, the school’s director, said.
The religious instruction is an important feature, parents say.
“The religious training they get was important for me to have for my daughter,” Blackwood said. “I found that lacking in public education,” she said.
The kindergarten costs $300 a month. Partial scholarships may be available for students with financial need. The school will continue to admit students throughout the year. For more information, contact Trish Brem as 831-630-1234, extension 201.
