Gehlen TK program making a difference

Students in Gehlen Catholic's transitional kindergarten class work on listening skills as they take direction in an "Officer May I" exercise, similar to "Simon Says." Teacher Pam Jeneary has a colorfully decorated classroom which stimulates the students' learning. [Click to enlarge]

"This is something that has been requested by parents for more than 15 years," said Gehlen Catholic Elementary principal Lorie Nussbaum said. School officials decided to do a three-year pilot program to see how it would work.

The class is limited to 16 students and Nussbaum said there have been waiting lists both years.

"Our priority are those 5-year-olds who need the extra help, but we accept students who turn age five by December of the school year," Nussbaum explained.

TK is described as a bridge between pre-school and kindergarten for those students who need time to absorb and express ideas, learn more about friendships, assert their independence and examine the world around them.

While only in its second year, an assessment by Gehlen kindergarten teachers have said the 12 students who came from the transitional kindergarten program scored higher in such areas as identification of letters, rhyming, story retelling and invented spelling.

"That's not to say that the children entering kindergarten won't do just as good, but it does indicate children attending TK get a boost in learning," Nussbaum said.

An assessment will also be conducted at the end of the school year to check on the children's progress.

The exposure to a structured environment also makes a different for children who attend TK, she added.

Former Gehlen kindergarten teacher Pam Jeneary is the classroom teacher. She is helped by aide Betty Loutsch and Margaret Norton who is a Foster Grandma with the Foster Grandparent program.

"Pam is the key to the success of our program," Nussbaum said.

Jeneary and Nussbaum worked together to develop the curriculum, but Nussbaum said it was Jeneary's implementation and work with the children that has made the program a success.

The students attend a full day of school from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The morning is an academic-based program and includes reading and math readiness.

"The students get read to a lot," Nussbaum said.

The students also learn social skills, how to follow directions, and have a time for religion each day.

"We accept all faiths," said Nussbaum.

TK students also go on field trips, do cooking and a number of hands-on activities, Nussbaum said. They also have snacks twice a day in addition to the lunch program.

Their afternoons are more casual, with playtime and a nap.

"They need play time too," she said.

Students also participate in music and go to the library under the guidance of teachers.

The pilot program is self-funded, with costs covered by tuition, tuition assistance and grants.

"We wanted to make it a self-sufficient program," Nussbaum said, adding there is no parish contributions are used for the TK program.

The first year the program received a grant from the Greater Plymouth County Foundation. This year's program received funding from United Way of Le Mars. Tuition assistance is also offered through the Msgr. Lafferty Tuition Foundation.

"No one is turned away due to finances," Nussbaum said.

While the program at this point is a pilot program, Nussbaum said the Gehlen Catholic school board will be discussing the future of the program as early as Thursday's regular school board meeting.

An informational meeting for parents whose children are eligible for kindergarten and transitional kindergarten will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, in the Gehlen Catholic Library.

At the meeting, parents will learn about the educational opportunities offered at Gehlen, become familiar with the round-up process, visit classrooms and meet teachers.

Round-up for transitional kindergarten and kindergarten is set for Friday, March 6, at Gehlen.