ABOUT OUR PROGRAM
Students in our pre-school program, the Freshman (ages 2 ½ – 3) and Sophomore Classes (age 3), have a wonderful introduction to school. Teachers are sensitive to the physical and emotional needs of new students, particularly in transitioning students and parents through the separation process. Letters, numbers, colors, shapes and computers are taught in an engaging and concrete manner. Potty training is not a requirement for admission into these classes. Students participate in the entire core curriculum. Don’t underestimate these youngsters. You’ll be amazed how much our children learn!
Stepping up to the Senior South (Pre-K, age 4) and Senior North Class (Pre-K/Kindergarten, ages 4-6) prepares students for elementary school. Children are exposed to a full curriculum including Math, Reading, Handwriting, Literature, Science, Social Studies, Spanish, Music, Fine Arts, STEM, Dramatic and Free Play. Circle Time, Science, Social Studies, Fine Arts, Handwriting, and Journal Writing are taught through whole group instruction. Students also work in small groups for a more individualized approach to learning. Small groups allow for students to be challenged without becoming frustrated. Assessments are done in the Fall and Spring and reviewed during semi-annual Parent-Teacher Conferences
During the academic school year, all age groups focus on science and social studies based monthly thematic units including: Me, Myself & My Family, Community Helpers, Seasons & Local History, Astronomy, Black History Month & Famous People, Land & Water Animals, Environmental Conservation, Plants & Insects, Multicultural Diversity and Pride.
The Nurtured Heart Approach, developed by Howard Glasser, is a proven methodology for creating healthy relationships and igniting greatness with all children! The essence of the Approach is a set of core methodologies originally developed for working with the most difficult children. It has a proven impact on every child, including those who are challenged behaviorally, socially and academically. The Nurtured Heart Approach is used in all of our classrooms.
At each stage of development children are introduced to a greater breadth of learning techniques and thematic units. We also support them socially and emotionally using the Nurtured Heart Approach to create healthy relationships and ignite greatness in children. Our students surprise us every day with their capacity for learning. They are inquisitive, bright and eager to try new things!
Music with the Jam Cats
In addition to the music and movement woven through our daily classroom activities, we partner with The Jam Cats Music to bring weekly music classes to our Sophomore (3s) and Senior (Pre-K/Kindergarten) classes. Developed in accordance with both the New Jersey Preschool & Kindergarten Teaching and Learning Standards, and the National Association for Music Educators (NAfME), their curriculum is designed to teach children music fundamentals, instrument discovery, dance and movement, and to deepen children’s knowledge of diversity and multiculturalism through exploring music and movement of other cultural groups.
For Our Pre-K and Kindergarten Students in Senior North and Senior South
Wilson Fundations®
Our Senior literacy and language arts curriculum integrates daily use of Wilson Fundations®, a multisensory, structured language program geared for Pre-K and Kindergarten students. Through large and small group instruction it introduces research-based activities for learning letter-keyword-sound, alphabetic order, and letter-formation skills. Adoption of the Fundations program at this level provides teachers a window to identify children potentially at risk for reading difficulties so that early intervention can be considered. In concert with our overall literature-rich curriculum, Fundations makes learning to read fun while laying the groundwork for life-long literacy.
Spanish
Our Pre-K / Kindergarten students have a weekly Spanish class using an exciting and interactive program taught by a native speaker. With an emphasis on conversational vocabulary, class begins with social greetings, calendar, colors, weather, alphabet, as well as words related to our monthly academic theme, such as “land & water animals” or “community helpers.” Music, books, art, and games reinforce current and prior vocabulary words, with repetition used to increase retention. Early childhood is the best time to learn a language, so we are excited to plant seeds for our future Spanish speakers!
Fine Arts
In addition to ongoing art activities that are woven throughout our curriculum for all ages, Park Street Academy’s Pre-K/Kindergarten students experience a weekly “fine arts” class with Director Lisa Raphael. Neuroscience research shows that a child’s engagement in early art activities can help create unique brain connections by promoting problem solving, decision making, and other cognitive skills. Students also experience fine motor skill development and an important outlet for emotional expression. Discussion of cool and warm colors, why artists use them, and how certain colors make them feel are wonderful ways to understand emotions. Studying the fine arts also opens a world of creativity and a deeper understanding of culture, history and diversity.
With Miss Lisa’s in-depth approach, students study different genres of art, and artists that exemplify these different techniques. Then our students recreate an element of the artists’ technique, with their own vision, interpretation, and personal expression. The program culminates with an annual Senior Art Gallery (SAG), a magical evening exhibiting the works created by our students throughout the year.
