Lexi Loughner, Staff Writer
With the recent end of construction at Penn-Trafford High School, the preschool program now has a permanent home in the hallway along the front of the building. With afternoon and morning preschool, the classroom is always full of kids.
Along with the new renovations, the preschool room moved over in the same hallway. It gained more storage for the outdoor play items, and supervisors can easily see all of the children at once.
The head of the program is teacher Deborah Ragan. This year is her first leading the program, but she participated in the program when she was a high schooler here at P-T.
One of three schedules is run on a normal day in the preschool classroom They switch them every five weeks to ensure each class performs each activity. The preschool kids come in, play, have storytime, snacks, play with the table toys and end with calendar or circle time.
The class is assisted by Preschool I, II and III students. There can be anywhere between three to 11 students in the room. Sophomore Cara Monroe is currently enrolled in Preschool I.
High school student enrolled in preschool helps the children during class time.
“In the preschool, my favorite part is when we do the second schedule. We get to read to them. I feel like it’s the most interactive with the kids,” said Monroe.
The prerequisite to take preschool is to pass Child Development with a 90 percent minimum. After this, students can go into preschool and help with the kids.
“I am definitely going on with this class. Others kids should take Child Development now to take the class. You feel selfless and independent,” stated Monroe.
The students are assigned jobs to perform. These include reading to students, creating projects to help them learn or even playing with them.
“To see the high schoolers interact and see them work hard is rewarding. They want to do the work. I don’t have to tell them to do it,” Ragan expressed.
The class has been working on holiday projects such as making snow and winter art. They will have their Winter Holiday Party on the last day before break Dec. 23.
This year, junior Julia Painter is asking that the kids donate items to help families affected by cancer. The kids will put together care bags during the Holiday Party. Items range from toothbrushes to socks and shampoo.
To prepare the students for kindergarten, they talk to kindergarten teachers throughout the district. Pretests are viewed to see what they need to know. All preschools have state standards that are to be followed from newborn to adult.
The preschool program here at the high school will continue for years to come.