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Pre-K

Pre-K Artwork

 Curious, creative and enthusiastic learning drives our students in Pre-K to embrace focused primary school learning experiences.  Their classrooms are a combination of open-ended center play and intentionally planned activities, designed to foster cognitive development. The child centered classrooms support the exploration of emergent reading, math, and science concepts. Our program emphasizes the strengthening of fine motor skills and continued development of social and emotional skills. Thematic studies are designed to immerse children in the study of science and social studies topics such as family and community, fall harvest, holiday traditions, owls, China, Japan, insects, and more.

Emergent literacy is fostered through the Storytelling format based upon the Rice School Literacy Project, letter recognition, rhyming, and phoneme activities. Pre-K classrooms operate with the belief that exposure to quality children’s literature is a foundation for all literacy learning and vocabulary development and strive to provide this for the students. Math readiness is developed through center games and puzzles, sorting, counting and classifying activities. Fine motor skills are enhanced through center games, art experiences and early writing instruction.

Pre-K Curriculum

Explorers participate in a modified version of Spanish, Religion, Music and Library classes. They will attend PE class weekly to practice and develop gross motor skills. Seekers participate in Spanish, Library, Religion, Music, and Movement. 

In the fall, our Explorers and Seekers will join older students in attending Primary School Chapel.

In Pre-K at St. Mark's, Students Practice:

Pre-K boy explains his ideas to an 8th grader

Expressing thoughts and ideas

Pre-K boy holds a pen

Writing and strengthening their hand muscles for controlled print

Pre-K students play on the playground

Engaging all their muscle groups with physical activity on the playground and in PE classes

Pre-K girl and boy share

Playing cooperatively with friends while developing social skills

Primary School girl creates a painted masterpiece

Drawing copious amounts of pictures

Primary School girl uses a microscope

Beginning foundational literacy and math skills and beginning mastery in an age-appropriate classroom

Primary School boy smiles big

Developing self help skills building independence and self esteem

Meet the Pre-K Team

Emily Burrus

Emily Burrus

Titles: Pre-K through 4th Grade Science Teacher
Alfreda Donato

Alfreda Donato

Titles: Pre-K Teaching Assistant
Maria Lomonaco

Maria Lomonaco

Titles: Primary School and Lower School Spanish Teacher
Alyssa Longoria

Alyssa Longoria

Titles: Primary School Music Teacher
Martha Mayfield

Martha Mayfield

Titles: Pre-K Teacher
Kristi Nowell

Kristi Nowell

Titles: Primary School Floating Assistant Teacher
Gabriela Olivero

Gabriela Olivero

Titles: Pre-K Teacher
Amanda Rea

Amanda Rea

Titles: Primary School and Lower School Religion Teacher
Jillian Robbins

Jillian Robbins

Titles: Primary School Physical Education Teacher
Amy Tichacek

Amy Tichacek

Titles: Pre-K Teaching Assistant
Kristin Uptmor

Kristin Uptmor

Titles: Primary School and Lower School Librarian; Primary School Technology Teacher