Gehlen adds section to transitional kindergarten program

The Rev. Kevin Richter made the surprise announcement, met with applause and cheers, at the Friends of Gehlen Ball Saturday.

The school is in the second year of a three-year pilot program for transitional kindergarten (TK) and currently has 30 students on the list for next year.

There are still several openings available. The program limits the number of students in a section to 16.

TK was added to Gehlen Catholic's school program in response to years of requests by parents.

The program began with the 2007-2008 school year and serves young 5 year olds, who may not be quite ready for kindergarten. In the event of additional openings, those children, both Catholic and non-Catholic, who will be 5 by Dec. 31 of the year in which they are enrolled may be admitted as well.

TK provides a bridge between pre-school and all day kindergarten for those children not quite ready for all day kindergarten but need more of a challenge than a pre-school program may provide.

Gehlen Catholic's program is designed for 5 year olds and includes a half-day morning academic program. The afternoon portion of TK is less structured, offering free play time, rest time, and a rotation of daily specials (physical education, music, and library).

According to school officials, Gehlen Catholic School Board voted at a recent meeting to continue the program past its initial pilot of three years as long as it remains a self-supporting program.

Tuition assistance is available for qualifying families of any child enrolled in the program.

Due to the past years' generosity of the Monsignor Lafferty Tuition Assistance Program, the Foundation for Greater Plymouth County, and Le Mars United Way, tuition assistance has allowed students in the first two years of the program to get the boost each needed to be successful in their school careers. So far, 32 students have been served by the program.

The TK program and tuition assistance is open to students of all faiths.