Early Childhood Program at Lakeland Christian School

EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM (K4 & K5) 1111 Forest Park Street | Lakeland, FL 33803 863.688.2771 | www.lcsonline.org

Building a foundation that lasts a lifetime...

The K4 and K5 programs at Lakeland Christian School conform to the school’s mission of developing each child’s potential to become a life-long learner by providing students with the opportunity to explore and discover God’s world. They offer each child a first-time experience of school in a gentle and loving environment. Our K4 and K5 classes seek to strengthen each student’s personal growth and development.

Overview of the K4 Program The K4 program is designed to help prepare the “whole” child for kindergarten. The “whole” child refers to the academic, social, physical and spiritual parts of the student. The program seeks to develop necessary prereading and pre-math skills through play, creativity and exploration. This is achieved through hands-on learning centers as well as art and music activities. We spend time creating lessons that help develop fine motor and large motor skills. Students participate in individual, small and large group activities. Above all else, the program attempts to instill into these young minds God’s love for them and their need for a Savior. This is accomplished by studying stories from both the Old and New Testaments.

Each child is given opportunities to advance and grow at their own rate through play, appropriate academic centers and hands-on activities which stimulate creativity and critical thinking skills. We offer part-time and fulltime options for K4 students.

Overview of the K5 Program Our kindergarten day is filled will engaging hands-on learning experiences.

Children begin each morning by learning from God’s Word. They are taught foundational Bible stories and begin to learn about God’s love for them. Phonics lessons and sight words are also an important part of their morning as students begin to learn how to read. They experience literacy centers and guided reading groups where they practice reading skills.

Students also are taught Singapore math strategies through manipulatives, direct instruction, centers and calendar math. In the afternoon, students have the opportunity to go to specials, such as, music, PE, art, library and Spanish. Throughout the year, students also get the chance to do science and social studies activities, special centers, and field trips. Kindergarten at LCS is an exciting full-day educational experience where students are taught in the light of God’s word to equip them for their future years of learning and serving.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Accreditation & Certification LCS is accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), the Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS), The Southern Association of Christian Schools – Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS-CASI) and the Florida Kindergarten Council. Our K4 and K5 teachers are certified by the state of Florida and ACSI. They have earned degrees from colleges or universities with approved School of Education programs. Our teachers are all involved members in their local churches. Their collective and various teaching methods provide your child with the opportunity to learn from well-qualified teachers who understand the education of young children.

Paraprofessionals and Teacher Assistants We have wonderful paraprofessionals who work with our K4 and K5 teachers to provide additional attention for our students. We also have an excellent “Teacher Assistant” program for middle and high school students who are available to help in our classrooms throughout the day. The assistants develop a warm, loving relationship with the children, and social skills are enhanced as the older and younger students interact one-on-one.

These assistants are also role models for your children and reinforce our family atmosphere.

K4/K5 Day Our program is a fun-filled academic day. The school day begins at 8:05 a.m. Students are dismissed at 2:40 p.m. You may drop your child off at 7:20 a.m. (no additional charge) and register for after school supervision as needed. We have found that a short rest time is needed in K4/K5. In K4, students rest no more than one hour each day. In K5, they rest for about 20-30 minutes.

your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14

Uniforms Our students wear uniform shirts. Please refer to the Elementary Dress Code Brochure on our website for detailed information.

Enrichment Activities Some of our K4 activities include: monthly centers, Thanksgiving Feast, Christmas Program, End-of-Year Program, Creation Care Week, Elementary Olympics, Grandparent’s Day and field trips. Some of our K5 activities include: 100th Day Celebration, Guest Readers, 5th Grade Buddies, Mother’s Day Tea, monthly themed centers, Young Author, Elementary Olympics, Grandparent’s Day, Nursery Rhyme Parade, End-ofYear Program and two to three field trips. All of our students attend chapel on Tuesdays. Bible is taught and integrated into the classroom on a daily basis. Each week, the children have other teachers for “special area” classes: Spanish, physical education, art, music and library. Parents are always welcome to attend our field trips , chapels and centers.

Discipline We use manner sticks to monitor student behavior. Students move their manner stick from one level to the next when infractions occur.

Parent –Teacher Communication Our K4 teachers contact parents if concerns arise.

There is also a communication tablet and sign in book parents must complete each morning. Our K5 students use agendas. These are sent home and returned on a daily basis. The agenda allows parents and teachers to correspond regularly regarding student behavior, classroom activities, etc.

Academic benchmark screenings are completed three times per year to monitor growth. Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled as needed.

Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him. Psalm 127:3