Paw Print Preschool at BHS
Here is a Q&A with the BHS Teacher who runs the program, Austun Savitski:
What separates Paw Print Preschool from other preschools in the area?
Our program is different than other area preschools because of the teachers. Our high school students create, plan, and implement lessons that are age-appropriate for our children. The high school students teach the preschoolers in small groups to meet the many diverse needs of our children. The curriculum includes language arts, math, science, social studies, media tables, and free art. We start each day with songs and a story and finish the day with snacks and free play.
What are the main goals of Paw Print Preschool?
Our main goal is to create an environment where high school students and children can learn and grow by working together. The high school students gain knowledge by working with children, planning lessons, and collaborating with each other. Most of our high school students plan on entering careers where they will work with children. This class is an awesome opportunity for students to see if this is truly the right career path for them while they explore diverse, age-appropriate subject matters while gaining social skills.
The best part of preschool?
I love seeing the relationships grow between the children and the high school students, and I think a big part of that is because of the creativity high school students put into planning their lessons tailored to the interests and abilities of our little ones.
What type of student does Paw Print Preschool prepare the preschoolers to be?
Our goal is to prepare our preschoolers socially, emotionally, and cognitively for their future. Our preschool sets the foundational knowledge of letters, numbers, and colors and sparks curiosity to learn the world around them. Our students learn skills such as categorizing and organizing through play during preschool. We want our children to learn alongside others and gain social skills to collaborate and share.
What does an average day look like in Paw Print Preschool?
The preschoolers arrive at 9:20 a.m. and are greeted by their high school buddies. The preschool students take off their jackets, wash their hands, and join their peers for circle time. During circle time, the lead teacher will introduce the theme and letter of the week, read an interactive story, and a song of the day. While in circle time, we discuss the weather that day, and a preschool student dresses the weather bear appropriately. Then, as a group, we count in English and Spanish using our calendar dates. High school teachers introduce their small group stations to their preschool students, and they rotate around them. We conclude the day with a nutritious snack and outdoor/ indoor free play before they return to their parents at 10:35 a.m.
For more information about Paw Print Preschool and to register a preschooler, click here. Or to find out more, contact Austun Savitski, Family and Consumer Science Teacher at BHS, austun.savitski@bps101.net.