Kindergarten Spotlight

St. Mary School opened its first Kindergarten program in the fall of 1984. The same tradition of educational excellence that guides St. Mary Grade School prevails in the Kindergarten. We try to challenge these young learners in an environment that gives them the chance to "fall in love with school."

• Kindergarten Philosophy and School Policies
  Since the Kindergarten is part of St. Mary School, the philosophy and school policies are the same. The importance of each individual and the genuine concern for the total development of each child is at the heart of the school's philosophy. We strive to develop each child to his/her full potential spiritually, academically, socially, and physically.
• Come Observe the Kindergarten Class
  We invite parents who are considering St. Mary's Kindergarten program to visit our classrooms while they're in session. To minimize disruption during instruction, we ask that you call before you visit to learn the times classes are open for observation during the week.
  You may also request to meet with the principal and tour the school during your visit. You should call in advance for a meeting with the principal. To arrange for your visit please call the school office, 321-0703.

Curriculum for Kindergarten

A full Kindergarten program is offered following all state and Archdiocesan guidelines. Included in the curriculum are the following:

Additional Opportunities:

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Kindergarten School Day

Students may enroll for full-or half-day morning sessions. Teacher requests are not accepted in any grade at St. Mary School, including Kindergarten. Before registering, please read and carefully consider the section "Guidelines for Choosing All-Day or Half-Day Kindergarten". If a Kindergarten student changes from a full-day class to a half-day session after registering, the tuition charge will remain the full-day rate until that space is filled by another student.

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Kindergarten Registration Process

• All children must be registered prior to attending school. The $275 registration fee must accompany the registration form. (For more information on this fee please see the Fees section of the Admissions & Registration page)
• Children entering Kindergarten must be 5-years-old by September 30.
• Children are eligible for early entrance testing only if they turn 5-years-old no later than December 31. Testing will be administered by the St. Mary School psychologist to determine eligibility for early admission. Testing will be done only on those children who have registered.

St. Mary School accepts registration for Kindergarten at ANY TIME. Families are encouraged to register as soon as you decide to send your children to St. Mary School. Registrations are dated at the time they are received in the school office.

Class openings are filled on a first-come basis according to the following criteria:

1. Children of active/registered parishioners;
2. Children from families who have changed residence and were active, registered participants in another Catholic parish;
3. Children from families who have been registered in St. Mary Parish but not actively participating for at least six months, and children from Catholic families outside the parish; and,
4. Children of non-Catholic families.

Siblings of current St. Mary students receive priority consideration in each category.

DEADLINE: St. Mary parishioners and families with children attending St. Mary School will receive priority consideration for available class openings on a first-come basis from the date of registration until classes reach capacity.

As in all grades, children attending Kindergarten at SMS have first choice to the available spaces in the next grade (in this case first grade) the following year.

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Application Process

• A Birth Certificate and Baptismal Record must be presented at the time of registration, if the child was not baptized in St. Mary Parish.
• Medical Records: Before a child may attend any school in the State of Ohio he/she must meet the following vaccination requirements:
  • four or more doses of DPT
  • one rubella vaccine
  • four or more doses of Polio vaccine
  • one measles vaccine
  • the second MMR
  Record of these vaccines must be submitted to St. Mary School before the child will be admitted to class.

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All-Day or Half-Day Kindergarten?
How to Decide

The "All-Day" versus "Half-Day" decision can be a difficult one for many parents. The following guidelines may be helpful in choosing which would be the more beneficial placement for your child. Our school psychologist and Kindergarten teachers are also excellent resources if you wish to consult with them. They can be reached through the school office: 321-0703.

All-Day Kindergarten

May be the Right Choice if the Following Apply to Your Child ...

• Attended preschool or day care. This child who has experienced the structure and routines of such a setting will usually adjust more easily to the 6 ½ hour school day. Preschool or day care teachers may have insights and recommendations, which are most helpful.
• Eager to learn. The child has an obvious desire to learn about "school" and its "subjects."
• Independent child. This child adjusts rapidly to new situations, can care for his/her personal needs, and can entertain himself/herself with activities and interests.
• Alert and active. This child remains alert and physically active all day. This child generally has good health.
• Good attention span. This child willingly concentrates and remains on task individually or in a group for 20-30 minutes.
• Recognition of letters and numbers. This child has immediate recognition of many letters and numbers from 1 to 10.
• Good development of fine and gross motor skills. This child can use scissors, crayons, manipulate small objects, draw or color beyond scribbling. Gross motor skills include jumping, hopping, balancing, throwing and catching a ball.

Half-Day Kindergarten Session

May be the Right Choice if the Following Apply to Your Child ...

• Late birthdate. The children with June, July, August and September birthdays are the youngest in the class. Often these children (especially boys) do not demonstrate necessary school readiness, i.e. the ability to learn and to cope with the school environment without undue stress, and to sustain that level of learning and coping all day and every day. These children may be "ready to read" but are not ready for the whole day school situation. They manage the academics but at great expense to another part of their being-social, emotional, or physical.
• Play oriented. This child still needs time during the day for building social relationships with other children and for free play.
• Dependent and shy. This child may be hesitant about his/her abilities, may still cling to parents, does not cooperate freely with others, and is shy about performing for others.
• Becomes tired during the day. This child still requires a nap or rest-time during the morning or afternoon.
• Physical or health problems. Often when a child is coping with or adjusting to frequent problems, he/she has little energy left for learning. Increasing demands for learning are a detriment to this child.

These guidelines are only suggestions for you, the parent, to consider when making this all-day or half-day decision. If you have any questions or concerns you would like to discuss, please feel free to call. We all want our children to be happy and successful in school and life. For most children that depends on getting started on the right foot. Kindergarten is the beginning.

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