Early Childhood Program
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St. Joan of Arc's Early Childhood Program offers comprehensive education for spiritual, academic, social, emotional, and physical growth. Our young students are exposed to a variety of instructional approaches to engage them in the learning process. Our program models and encourages responsibility, self-discipline, decision-making skills, and living the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Curriculum
SJA's Early Childhood Program provides building blocks for children to develop a love of learning. Nurturing teachers instill life's most important lessons, teaching children to love God and one another while they learn and have fun. Our program transitions with growing students, starting with developmental and play-based learning and adding academic basics required for success in higher grades.- PS2-Tots: The youngest of our preschool students learn through play and exploration in PS2. Daily prayer and circle time begin their day. Activities to teach or reinforce the theme for the week and to promote learning are incorporated through books, art projects, media resources, music, and movement. Outdoor and indoor play time is abundant as learning to play along side others and share are lessons of utmost importance at this age as well as gross motor development. While indoors, they choose stations in which to play, put together puzzles, build with blocks, or look at books. An amazing playground and small ride-on toys keep them busy while playing outside. Snacks and diaper checks/restroom breaks are scattered throughout the day, with additional bathroom visits as needed. The teacher and aide will work with parents to reinforce potty training when the child is ready. PS2 students are allowed to express their endless curiosity as they are exposed to a wide variety of new experiences and absorb so much as they discover and grow over the course of the school year surrounded by those who love and nurture them.
- PS3: The PS3 teachers make learning a delight as the curriculum emphasizes play as a means to introduce basic academic skills and concepts. Daily activities include table games to hone fine motor development, circle time, music and movement, art, story time, and outside gross motor activities. Students are also exposed to basic math and science concepts, as well as computers. Lessons encourage the use of all five senses, with emphasis on listening skills. PS3 uses the "Our Sunday Visitor," Allelu religion series. Nap time, outside recess, and snacks provide a well-rounded day to help the transition into the classroom.
- PK4: With the basics of listening and socialization in place, PK4 encourages the students to take an active role in their learning. Students are exposed to the people and places around them with classroom visitors from the community, hands-on projects, and field trips. The emphasis on motor development and tactile learning continues, but students grow increasingly familiar with reading, writing, and math as they work with the Super Kids and Scholastic reading programs and participate in interactive math lessons. Themes built around each letter of the alphabet are used to strengthen students' knowledge of the letters, their sounds, and how the sounds build words. Our teachers ease students into science, social studies, and foreign languages with fun, interactive lessons. The program also weaves in music, movement, and art, letting young spirits express their individuality. PK 4 uses the "Our Sunday Visitor," Allelu series for religion.
- Kindergarten: Ready to take on more academic challenges, kindergarten students jump into a range of subjects. The curriculum offers structure and variety, from the Super Kids reading program to hands-on, interactive math lessons to religion, science, and social studies activities. Students attend PE class three times a week with health lessons incorporated throughout the year. Kindergartners attend art classes two times a week in alternating semesters. Familiarity with technology grows ever crucial from even the youngest ages; therefore, the kindergarten classrooms continue the use of interactive whiteboards and classroom computers. They also utilize iPad tablets to practice and reinforce skills. Our kindergarten students are paired with 7th grade "buddies" with whom they attend Mass each week and other religious services. They also participate in class or service projects together.
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Beginning in PS2 when students are encouraged to learn their classmates' names and interact with them, our preschoolers are constantly taught proper socialization skills. Since the most effective way for young ones to learn is by repeating what others do, teachers model appropriate behavior by using words such as, "Please," "Thank You," and "Excuse me," with the children. The teachers encourage positive behavior of the students with their peers throughout the day and compliment such behavior when it is exhibited. Students in PS3, PK4, and kindergarten are assigned class jobs such as line leader, door holder, lights operator, and teacher's helper to assist the students in experiencing responsibility.
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Community members are invited to visit our preschool classes to share their knowledge or skills with our students. The St. John Parish Sheriff's Department and Fire Department are highlights each year as the students learn important lessons and explore the special vehicles and equipment the officers and fire fighters use. Local authors, dentists, doctors, carpenters, and more have spent time with our little ones to extend themes or simply expose them to a new concept.
Field trips are scheduled to expand their learning outside the classroom. The PS2 students visit the Global Wildlife Center with the kindergarten classes in the spring. The PS3 and PK4 classes plan a fall trip to a pumpkin patch, a December visit to the Children's Museum, and a spring trip to either a strawberry patch, Audubon Zoo, or Aquarium of the Americas. Kindergarten classes schedule a fall field trip as appropriate.
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Holiday and other celebrations are held during the course of the school year. The whole school participates in Octoberfest, a fun afternoon of games, a hay ride and snacks, all while dressed in costume. Family Night is scheduled each fall giving the preschoolers, kindergarteners, and their families the opportunity to share in an evening of literacy activities. All PS, PK, and K classes perform a Thanksgiving skit and enjoy Thanksgiving feasts with their parents. An entertaining Christmas program including the Living Nativity gives our little ones the chance to celebrate the season with their families on an evening in December. The school year ends with Preschool Promotion and Kindergarten Graduation, highlighting some of the things the children learned throughout the year as they move on to the next level. Other activities and celebrations take place in individual classes, such as pumpkin carvings, 100th Day of School activities, the making of gingerbread houses, Mothers' Day Tea, and the release of butterflies in the spring.
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- Students in our Early Childhood program may attend three or five days a week.
- The students visit the school's library once a week where our librarian reads stories and nursery rhymes to them while utilizing questioning techniques that enhance comprehension and encourage higher level thinking skills. Beginning in PS3, they are allowed to check out books at each visit.
- Pre-school 3, Pre-K 4, and Kindergarten students eat lunch in our school cafeteria. They may purchase a lunch from School Food Services or bring a lunch. Pre-school 1 and Pres-school 2 students may purchase lunches from the cafeteria as well; however, they eat in their classrooms instead of the cafeteria. Monthly calendars are sent home so parents are aware of what will be served each day. Special considerations are made for students with food allergies.
- Participation in the fall soccer program begins in Pre-K 4 and the Carnival Ball begins in Pre-school 3. Pre-K 4 and Kindergarten students may also enroll in our Young Rembrandts art program.
- Weekly communication is sent home so parents are notified of upcoming themes and lessons as well as any class or school events that need parents' attention.
- Daily behavior updates or other necessary topics are communicated through a folder system.
- A separate carpool area is used for PS1-PK-4 students and their siblings.
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