Saint Brigid School
Pre-School Education Program
"a positive childhood experience"

Philosophy of the Program

The Pre-K is a program designed for four year olds to develop, grow, and share in early learning, as full members of our K-8 Catholic School. The program celebrates the Christ-like nature of every child and supports as well as envelops, each new family into membership of the St. Brigid School's Community. As members of our community, students will engage in learning, which prepares them for transition into our full-day kindergarten program. St. Brigid's Pre-K nurtures and supports the whole child through age appropriate integrated curriculum and child-centered educational experiences.
At St Brigid, each child is a unique unrepeatable gift of God, and we strive to enable each child to develop to her or his greatest potential.  In an ever-changing, ever-challenging world, our school builds the foundation of basic knowledge that carries the students through their lifelong education. 
Through the teaching of Gospel values and Catholic doctrine, each child recognizes his or her dignity as a member of the human family and treats all others regardless of race, creed, color, age, or gender with reverence and respect. 

...and Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these."             Mark 10:14

Faculty and Staff
Dedicated, qualified teachers provide a safe supportive, caring and positive learning environment to Pre-K children.  The primary goals of teachers and staff is to ensure that each child feels safe and that there is a classroom environment where they are encouraged to explore, question and grow intellectually.

Uniforms

The Pre-K uniform:

Everyday and Dress Uniform:
GIRLS:     Plaid jumper
                 White long or short-sleeved Peter Pan collar blouse (no Polos or Oxfords)
                 Blue, black or white tights, socks or full length (tight fitting at bottom) leggings
                 Safe, rubber soled shoes or sneakers
                                
BOYS:      Light blue Oxford button-down shirt, long or short-sleeved
                 Navy blue Docker-style pants (no cargos or jeans)                
                 Plaid tie (must be purchased from JB Edwards)

Uniforms can be ordered through J.B. Edwards Uniform Company, Roslindale, MA 02131. The Uniform Company can be contacted online through the link on our website, or at (617)323-8832 for credit card orders.

Building Security
Arrival/Drop off takes place at 8 AM in the classroom.  All outside doors remain locked during the day. A surveillance camera monitors the front door where parents may be buzzed in. Visitors are required to sign in and report to the office. The classroom is equipped with a telephone, walkie-talkie, two exits with locking doors. All Students must be signed in and out of the classroom when leaving with a parent. The emergency exit is located just outside of the classroom space.

Child-Centered Free Play

Play is an essential form of learning where a child works on new ideas, puts them in practice, adapts socially and understands emotions. Recess, classroom centers and free-play offer opportunities for relationship building and social/emotional development.

Hot Lunch

A Federally approved hot lunch & milk program is available.  Menu forms are sent home every two weeks.

Extended Day Program
Pre-School students are provided a safe, supervised place from noon - 5:50 every day.  An afternoon snack is provided.  After Lunch, the children enjoy a Recess and then a Rest Time.  Motor Table activities are then played with individual and specialized instruction.

Curriculum  

Cooperative Learning and Gaming Strategies

Working together is encouraged with partners.  Gaming strategies are employed and include sorting, matching, observing, classifying, and turn-over activities.

Spiritual/Religious Exploration

Discovery, using Old Testament stories of family, emotions, animals and nature.  Seasonal Religious holiday projects infuse the student with understandings about God and goodness.  Daily prayer and involvement in school-wide gatherings and liturgy is also included. 

Language Arts

Oral Language is an important component of the Pre-K Program. The teacher engages students with curriculum materials, puppets, stories, and themes to build early language skills necessary for reading and math. Activities using eye/hand coordination include scissors, glue, crayons, and paint to support expression, and oral language development.

Physical Education

Skills are taught to help them stretch, and learn about their bodies. Students learn songs with movement and dance, play with balls and other materials as a part of their physical discovery.

Discipline

Teachers use positive and effective behavioral techniques to help children change and learn about their behavior as well as what acceptable behavior looks like. The student/teacher/parent roles are based on a relationship built on trust and respect. Teachers will be models of respect for students. Explaining things to develop understanding is a key of component of positive discipline.

Typical Pre-K Schedule 
The classroom itinerary is structured to meet a four-year-olds natural interest and age appropriate abilities and includes: