RMAE | Our Preschool

RMAE Preschool is a "Friends of Core Knowledge" Preschool. We are working toward achieving "Official Core Knowledge Site Status."

Letter from the Preschool Director

December 17, 2007

Dear Parents,

Thank you for your interest in our preschool. We are currently located in central Evergreen in the lower level of Congregation Beth Evergreen Synagogue, 2981 Bergen Peak Drive, west of Evergreen Parkway on Lewis Ridge Road. RMAE Preschool is a non-profit organization under the direct leadership of Rocky Mountain Academy of Evergreen and the Board of Directors. Tuition, fundraisers, and private or corporate donations solely support our school. Our school offers the following full-day programs: Preschool I, Preschool II, Pre-Kindergarten, and Jr. Kindergarten. Children may enter our school at the age of 2-1/2 years old through 6 years of age. We follow Level I and Level II of the Core Knowledge Curriculum, provide field trips, and visit the residents at the Life Care Center of Evergreen and Elk Run Assisted Living as part of our community service.

Our leased facilities at CBE are providing an excellent home for our school and are fostering a positive learning environment. Our classrooms are self-contained, also offering the children many challenging opportunities. We have a playground, full kitchen, social hall, common space and sanctuary, which accommodate various holiday celebrations and school events. Parents are welcome and invited to become involved in the classrooms and various committees within the RMAE school community.

Our staff is dedicated to teaching young children, and understands the need to teach the necessary skills to help each individual child grow emotionally and socially, and develop independent thinking and problem solving skills. Upon successful completion of attendance in our program, children are well prepared for our Core Knowledge Kindergarten program. The Core Knowledge Curriculum is fully implemented and we continue to undertake the accreditation process, which will distinguish RMAE Preschool among the select percentage of preschools in Colorado that have achieved this status. During our first year of operation in 2003, we met and sustained our enrollment objective throughout our programs. Our goal for the second year was to substantially expand our enrollment. We met and sustained that goal then and it is our hope to continue to maintain our enrollment as we move ahead into our fifth year of operation.

Parent Visit Days are held the second Tuesday of every month from 9:30-11:30am. These visits offer families the opportunity to observe and ask questions pertinent to our program. For more information please visit www.rmae.org and to answer any questions please call our preschool office at 303.670.3447 x5.

Sincerely,

Deborah Caruso
Preschool Director

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Preschool Schedule

Office Hours: 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Preschool I & II, Pre-Kindergarten, and Jr. Kindergarten
2 day – 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Tue/Fri
3 day – 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Mon/Wed/Thurs
5 day – 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Monday through Friday

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Preschool Curriculum

The Rocky Mountain Academy of Evergreen Preschool combines elements of the Core Knowledge Curriculum, the Creative Curriculum, and The Active Learning Series Curriculum, Open Court, and Funshine Express and developmentally appropriate practice with young children.

The curriculum is designed to facilitate many areas of development including:
Intellectual/Cognitive
Language Development
Social Interaction and Emotional Development
Self Identity and Self Help
Gross Motor and Fine Motor Development

Centers and play materials include:
Arts and Crafts
Blocks and accessories
Books, Magazines, and Posters
Dramatic Play and Housekeeping
Large Muscle Equipment/Outdoor Play Activities
Manipulative Toys and Materials
Musical Equipment
Science Materials
Games (both indoors and outdoors) Structured and Unstructured
Tactile Tables (sand, water, rice, beans, etc.)

What Will My Child Learn In Preschool?
To be away in a trusting, safe, loving and nurturing environment
To work with teachers and groups of children
To work independently and make choices
To cooperate and share, solve problems and negotiate
School rules, classroom limits and new routines
To complete a task or activity and feel good about it
To ask questions and seek answers with confidence
To become independent and ask questions without being afraid
To develop excellent language skills
Pre-reading and pre-math skills
Good nutrition and health practices, and much, much more!

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Preschool Program Overview

Preschool I

The Core Knowledge Curriculum guides our youngest program for children beginning at age 2 ½. Additional activities are provided by the Active Learning Series, the Creative Curriculum, and many other resources. Developmentally Appropriate guidelines established by the National Association of Education for the Young Child are closely followed in making thoughtful and appropriate decisions about the program’s schedule, activities, and guidance strategies. This program is designed for young children based on what is known about young children. Individual needs are met by the teacher’s approach to each child's level of development and provide the necessary content within the classroom environment to meet these needs. Children are not grouped according to age or ability, but are looked upon as unique individuals. Our teachers support the growth and development of all children, and use everything they can to learn about each child. This includes individual learning styles and preferences, interests, personality and temperament, abilities, challenges and difficulties.

The Preschool I classroom environment is set up to encourage development for self-help skills and promote independence. Centers include materials and activities that are rearranged throughout the day and provide an environment for young children to explore and participate in child-initiated, autonomous play and learning opportunities. Young children learn by watching real people perform real things and experiencing the way a world works. Children in our program will experience the way their world works. The preschool environment provides a variety of open-ended materials such as art, and writing supplies. These centers offer complexity and encourage independent decision-making skills. A balance of music and movement is provided throughout the day. Math manipulatives and science experiments are provided to stimulate reasoning, problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Realistic toys and props are used during constructive, dramatic, and imitative play. Play is important for children's developing sense of competence. Through play, children become empowered to do things for themselves, to feel in control, to test and practice their skills, and to affirm confidence in themselves. Children are treated with kindness and each new learning experience is approached with patience and understanding.

Because young children are creatures of habit and ritual, repetition throughout the day provides soothing structure to their day. At the same time, the schedule remains flexible enough and is able to offer a wide variation in order to meet individual needs. Teachers give time to help young children participate as fully as they would like during routines. Children are included in helping to make transitions go smoothly, and ample periods of time are provided for quiet and inactivity. Snacks are served family style so children can learn to try different foods. Child-size serving utensils are provided to encourage independence, confidence and self-esteem.

Outdoor play is recommended daily and is a valued component of our program. Whenever possible, children will have the opportunity to experience art activities outdoors and make discoveries about their outdoor environment by taking nature walks around the school property. Curriculum does not just take place in the classroom. The schedule provided is simply used as a guide.

To be considered for enrollment into the Preschool Program the following pre-requisites must be met:

• A child must be 2 ½ years old at the start of the school year.
• The child must be emotionally ready to attend a preschool program.
• Child must be potty trained, or well on his/her way; understands when and how to use the bathroom facilities.

Many young children who are entering into the early childhood setting for the first time experience some separation anxiety at the start of the program. Our staff is trained and will assist children and parents in making the transition into preschool positive.

The Preschool I Schedule
8:15-8:30 Student’s Arrive / Welcoming Activities
8:35 Attendance
8:40-9:15 Circle Activities
9:15-9:45 Bathroom Break / Snack
9:45-10:15 Recess and Outdoor Play
10:15-10:30 Return from Recess / Bathroom Break
10:30-11:10 Literacy Activities
11:10-11:20 Bathroom Break
11:20-11:40 Story/Music/Rhymes /Lunch Preparation
11:40-12:10 Lunch
12:10-12:30 Clean Up / Bathroom Break / Nap Space Ready
12:30-1:30 Nap Time
1:30-1:40 Pick-up Mats / Bathroom Break
1:40-2:10 Science / Math Blocks
2:10-2:30 Art Activity / Centers
2:30-2:40 Prepare to go home / Story Time
2:45 Dismissal

• Preschool I children do not go on field trips requiring transportation in vehicles.

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Preschool II

The Preschool II Core Knowledge Curriculum is intended to guide the planning of experiences and activities for children by offering a coherent progression of skills and knowledge in the following areas: Physical well-being (Movement and Coordination), Social and Emotional Development, Establishing Work Habits, Language Development, Cognitive Development, (e.g., Mathematical Reasoning and Number Sense, Orientation in Time and Space, Scientific Reasoning and the Physical World, Music and the Visual Arts.) The Active Learning Series, Creative Curriculum and many other resources will be used for planning multiple enrichment activities in the classroom. Curriculum content can include weekly, seasonal and Holiday theme-units. Our program also follows the developmental guidelines established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

The Preschool II Program meets the individual needs of each child in the classroom. In this program children will have the opportunity to express their individual interests of learning. Children will have the opportunity to participate in the planning of their projects and classroom activities throughout the year. This process promotes critical thinking skills and is encouraged throughout the program. Children will also have the opportunity to participate in both Small and Large Group activities and learn through active, self-initiated exploration and interaction with concrete materials, adults, and other children. New experiences are provided daily to offer challenging opportunities for children to develop their independence and express their individuality. Teachers interact in ways to help structure the children's activities by asking open-ended questions.

During Small Group the classroom environment is organized for children to make a selection among many hands-on learning tools that are related to what is being taught. Children can make their own choices, and are able to participate in more than one activity, time permitting. Journal writing is used for children to practice their writing strokes, names, numbers, and draw pictures and shapes daily. As writing skills progress, children also practice age appropriate inventive spelling in their journals. Children are encouraged to perform their best and are challenged individually according to their abilities. Science experiments and multi-media arts are also offered as a Small Group allowing children to explore the various supplies and materials and experiment with material on their own. Books are available for daily use in the classroom.

Large Group activities include Calendar and Opening Exercises. Language development occurs through Circle discussion, Share Time, Finger-plays, Rhymes and Storytelling, and Singing. Circle time is an important part of the morning schedule. Listening skills are developed, behavior expectations are modeled, and participation is encouraged. Play centers such as blocks, construction toys, cars and trucks, animals of various shapes and types, woodworking equipment, dramatic play/dress-up, housekeeping, water or rice and bean tables are all samples of Large Group activities.

Play is essential for all children's healthy mental growth and development. Through play, children's cognitive, language, literacy, social and emotional, physical, and creative development occurs. Play enables children to make sense of their own world and provides children the opportunity to meet and solve real problems in a natural setting. Field Trips are provided and used as enrichment throughout the curriculum. Outdoor play is essential for good health and promotes gross motor development and creative expression.

Positive Guidance strategies are used to encourage expected behavior. Clear limits are set and redirecting children to a more acceptable activity are the strategies used in the Preschool II classroom. This method is highly successful and teaches children ownership for their actions.

All children will be evaluated on a daily, individual basis. Assessment in the Preschool II classroom is an on-going process. Approaches such as directed observations, checklists, work sampling and portfolios are used to assess children's progress guided by the Core Knowledge Assessment Tool.

Whether your child is attending the 2-Day, 3-Day, or 5-Day Option, he/she will have the opportunity to participate in a large variety of activities and subject materials daily. All program options will follow the same curriculum; however the content will be adapted daily to offer new and exciting experiences every day. Teachers will use a variety of methods, strategies, and materials to help each child achieve their end goals.

The Preschool II Schedule
8:15-8:30 Students Arrive / Welcoming Activities
8:30 Attendance
8:35-9:15 Circle Time/Attendance/Weather/Letter of the Week
9:15-9:45 Letter Work
9:45-10:00 Potty Break
10:00-10:10 Snack
10:10-10:50 Recess
10:50-11:00 Potty Break
11:00-11:30 Show ‘N’ Tell/Story time/Rhymes/Singing
11:30-12:00 Number Work
12:00-12:10 Potty Break
12:10-12:40 Lunch
12:40-1:00 Clean Up/ Potty/ Prepare for Nap Time
1:00-2:00 Nap Time
2:00-2:15 Potty Break/Put Away Mats/Tidy Class
2:15-2:30 Review Day
2:30-2:40 Prepare to go home
2:45 Dismissal

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Pre-Kindergarten

The Pre-kindergarten Core Knowledge Curriculum is intended to guide the planning of experiences and activities for children by offering a coherent progression of skills and knowledge in the following areas: Physical well-being (Movement and Coordination), Social and Emotional Development, Establishing Work Habits, Language Development, Cognitive Development, (e.g., Mathematical Reasoning and Number Sense, Orientation in Time and Space, Scientific Reasoning and the Physical World, Music and the Visual Arts.) The Active Learning Series, Creative Curriculum and many other resources will be used for planning multiple enrichment activities in the classroom. Curriculum content can include weekly, seasonal and Holiday theme-units. Our program also follows the developmental guidelines established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

The Pre-kindergarten Program meets the individual needs of each child in the classroom. In this program, children will have the opportunity to express their individual interests of learning. Children will have the opportunity to participate in the planning of their projects and classroom activities throughout the year. This process promotes critical thinking skills and is encouraged throughout the program. Children will also have the opportunity to participate in both Small and Large Group activities and learn through active, self-initiated exploration and interaction with concrete materials, adults, and other children. New experiences are provided daily to offer challenging opportunities for children to develop their independence and express their individuality. Teachers interact in ways to help structure the children's activities by asking open-ended questions.

During Small Group the classroom environment is organized for children to make a selection among many hands-on learning tools that are related to what is being taught. Children can make their own choices, and are able to participate in more than one activity, time permitting. Journal writing is used for children to practice their writing strokes, names, numbers, and draw pictures and shapes daily. As writing skills progress, children also practice age appropriate inventive spelling in their journals. Children are encouraged to perform their best and are challenged individually according to their abilities. Science experiments and multi-media arts are also offered as a Small Group allowing children to explore the various supplies and materials and experiment with material on their own. Books are available for daily use in the classroom.

Large Group activities include Calendar and Opening Exercises. Language development occurs through Circle discussion, Share Time, Finger-plays, Rhymes and Storytelling, and Singing. Circle time is an important part of the morning schedule. Listening skills are developed, behavior expectations are modeled, and participation is encouraged. Play centers such as blocks, construction toys, cars and trucks, animals of various shapes and types, woodworking equipment, dramatic play/dress-up, housekeeping, water or rice and bean tables are all samples of Large Group activities.

Play is essential for all children's healthy mental growth and development. Through play, children's cognitive, language, literacy, social and emotional, physical, and creative development occurs. Play enables children to make sense of their own world and provides children the opportunity to meet and solve real problems in a natural setting. Field Trips are provided and used as enrichment throughout the curriculum. Outdoor play is essential for good health and promotes gross motor development and creative expression.

Positive Guidance strategies are used to encourage expected behavior. Clear limits are set and redirecting children to a more acceptable activity are the strategies used in the pre-kindergarten classroom. This method is highly successful and teaches children ownership for their actions.

All children will be evaluated on a daily, individual basis. Assessment in the pre-kindergarten classroom is an on-going process. Approaches such as directed observations, checklists, work sampling and portfolios are used to assess children's progress guided by the Core Knowledge Assessment Tool.

Whether your child is attending the 2-Day, 3-Day, or 5-Day Option, he/she will have the opportunity to participate in a large variety of activities and subject materials daily. All program options will follow the same curriculum; however the content will be adapted daily to offer new and exciting experiences every day. Teachers will use a variety of methods, strategies, and materials to help each child achieve their end goals.

Sample Pre-Kindergarten Schedule
8:15-8:30 Students Arrive / Welcoming Activities
8:30 Attendance
8:45-9:30 Circle Activities
9:30-10:15 Bathroom Breaks and Snacks
10:15-10:45 Literacy Block
10:45-11:15 Recess
11:20-11:30 Return from Recess
11:30-11:50 Math Block
11:50-12:00 Lunch Preparation
12:00-12:45 Lunch / Library
12:45-12:55 Bathroom Breaks
12:55-1:30 Story time/Quiet Time
1:30-2:30 Open Centers/Science/Art
2:30-2:40 Daily Review/Class Meeting
2:45 Dismissal

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Jr. Kindergarten

This program is designed to provide academic learning, ages 4 ½ years and older, opportunities ranging in periods of time between 30-45 minutes in the following areas: Mathematics and Mathematical Reasoning Activities, Literacy: Reading Activities, Phonics, Language Skills Development through Rhymes, Poetry, and Storytelling, Journal writing and other various writing activities, Science, and Social Studies. Arts and Creative Expression, Music, Movement, Drop Everything and Read (DEAR), Cooking Activities, Dramatic Play, Discovery Time and Free Play, Field Trips, Classroom Celebrations and Special Events.

This schedule has been proven to be successful in preparing children for the rigorous and challenging academic Core Knowledge Curriculum Kindergarten Program. The Junior Kindergarten Program is developmentally appropriate and meets the individual needs of each child in the classroom.

This program offers children who are also kindergarten eligible but need an additional year of early childhood education, and those children who will be attending kindergarten the following year and already attended the pre-kindergarten program. The Jr. Kindergarten program is designed to offer more challenging opportunities for the slightly older child. In order for a child to be completely successful in this program, we recommend attendance all five days. If a child attends all five days, it is not uncommon for a child to take off an occasional day during the week, especially in the beginning of the year. There are also 3-day and 2-day options available (M/W/Th and T/F.) The curriculum content is more limited for these options.

The schedule offers a balance between academics, arts, music and movement. It also provides many opportunities for children to mature socially and emotionally. In the Jr. Kindergarten program children are provided many new hands-on learning opportunities in which they will learn to gain more focus, increase their attention span and improve work habits, and work quality. These are skills necessary for the success of all children entering Kindergarten. This additional year of early childhood also provides children time to develop their leadership skills, self-confidence, and self-esteem. Children want to become more independent. They learn to be more responsible for their own actions and belongings by placing higher expectations upon them. Children's fine motor development increases at a rapid rate around the mid-year mark and there is vast improvement in eye-hand coordination. Reading, Math and Language development readiness skills are increased and children are once again, better prepared for Kindergarten.

In the Jr. Kindergarten classroom snacks are served as a center and children are taught to serve themselves and develop self-help skills. Most Social Studies and Science projects are child-initiated which helps children to develop critical thinking skills.

To be considered for enrollment into the Junior Kindergarten Program, any one of the following pre-requisites must be met:

• Child must be 4 years 6 months or older.
• Child must have attended a pre-kindergarten program or equivalent.
• Child must be emotionally ready to attend a full day more structured program.

The Jr. Kindergarten Schedule
8:15-8:30 Students Arrive
8:30 Attendance is taken
8:35-10:00 Centers / Snack
10:00-10:30 Circle Activities / Literacy Block
10:30-11:00 Math Block
11:00-11:30 Recess
11:30-11:50 Story time or Complete Math or Literacy Activities
11:50-12:00 Lunch Preparation
12:00-12:30 Lunch and Clean-up
12:40-1:10 Drop Everything and Read
1:10-1:40 Science, History, Social Studies, Math Block
1:40-2:30 Open Art Centers
2:30-2:40 Prepare to go home/Story-time/Review the Day
2:45 Dismissal

One field trip will be scheduled per month for each option.

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Statement of Purpose and Goals

Rocky Mountain Academy of Evergreen Preschool provides a holistic learning environment for young children. Teaching emphases are based upon the emotional, social, and intellectual development of each child. Our classrooms offer developmentally appropriate learning centers in a warm and friendly environment. Each day in the classroom includes teacher-instructed activities, which promote individual encouragement to all children in achieving their goals. This approach exposes the children to a variety of choices so that our teachers can enrich and challenge all types of learning styles. Choices vary depending on the specific classroom and ages of children. Significant time is spent on multi-media arts, dramatic play and storytelling, music, interactive science experiments, constructive play, sand/water, rice/beans, library instruction, outdoor play, nature walks, and field trips within and out of the immediate community.

Each child's progress is carefully monitored through daily observations by the instructor (s). Standards and expectations are high for each child. Progress is recognized and rewarded at each level of achievement. We strive to develop personal and trusting relationships between child, parents, faculty and administration.

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Philosophy

Rocky Mountain Academy of Evergreen Preschool seeks to provide a nurturing environment where all children develop a healthy, happy, and secure approach to living and learning. In our preschool program we meet the children's individual needs with love, patience, and understanding. Our teachers and staff are dedicated to working with young children. Our program is designed to promote curiosity and discovery in a warm and inviting developmentally appropriate learning environment. The Core Knowledge Curriculum is used as the foundation for our learning environment. Children are encouraged to develop their personal capabilities, strengths, interests and learning styles. Our staff strives to develop each child individually by recognizing and accepting their differences. The main component for success is self-esteem and self-confidence. Through this program and environment our goal is to help children achieve these qualities. It is our responsibility to develop trusting relationships within our community. Our Board of Directors, Director of RMAE, our Preschool Coordinator, Faculty, Staff, and Parents work together to form this partnership in the development and education of each child who enters our school.

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Preschool Enrollment

Priority consideration is given to:

• returning families
• RMAE staff members
• siblings

Download the application for Preschool Enrollment:

2007-2008 (this year)	2008-2009 (next year)

Preschool Enrollment

Download our 2008-2009 Rates:
(coming soon!)

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Preschool Contact Information

Mailing address	Physical Address
RMAE Preschool P.O. Box 3162 Evergreen, CO 80437	RMAE Preschool 2981 Bergen Peak Drive Evergreen, CO 80439
Phone Number
(303) 670-3447 ext. 5

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Classroom Communication

Preschool I	Preschool II	Pre-Kindergarten	Jr. Kindergarten (M/W/Th)	Jr. Kindergarten (T/F)

Coming soon!

Frequently Asked Questions

Coming soon!

Preschool Family Handbook

Coming soon!

Core Knowledge Yearlong Plan

Coming soon!

Updated January 18, 2008