PreK3 Curriculum

Religion- Religion is the cornerstone of our program. We treat each other with love, kindness,
and respect in our classrooms. We use Stories of God's Love Ages 3 and 4 to teach the bible and
how the morals relate to the childs life. We also participate in the monthly school-wide Virtue
program. This year, the monthly virtues will be based upon the life of St. Teresa of Calcutta.
Literacy- Literature-rich stories are read daily to evoke interest, teach a variety of topics, and to
increase vocabulary. Letters will be introduced using the AlphaTales book series. There are fun
and engaging stories to represent each letter. The literacy focuses on name identification and
letter recognition.
Math- Number recognition, counting, and calendar skills are taught daily in circle time.
Introduction to shapes, colors, numbers, AB patterns, and basic sorting are some skills taught
throughout the year.
Science and Social Studies- Seasons, weather, and holidays are used as topics for our weekly
themes. These are introduced through song, poems, books and interactive activities.
Social Skills- Daily free play at recess and centers encourage social skills such as sharing and
waiting for a turn, asking for wants and needs, and communicating with peers.

PreK4 Curriculum
Religion- Religion is the cornerstone of our program. We treat each other with love, kindness,
and respect in our classrooms. We use Stories of God's Love Ages 4 and 5 to teach the bible and
how the morals relate to the childs life. We also participate in the monthly school-wide Virtue
program. This year, the monthly virtues will be based upon the life of St. Teresa of Calcutta.
Literacy- Literature-rich stories are read daily to evoke interest, teach a variety of topics, and to
increase vocabulary. The Letter People program is a fun and interactive way to introduce the
letters of the alphabet. Writing is encouraged through storytelling, drawing, and journaling.
Math- Number recognition, counting, and calendar skills are taught daily in circle time. Shape
and color recognition, number formation, sequencing, sorting patterns, basic problem solving,
size and measurement are some skills taught throughout the year.
Science and Social Studies- We include a variety of topics through our weekly themes and My
Big World with Clifford, published via Scholastic. We will also introduce new topics based upon
the seasons and holidays as they occur. PreK4 will explore Science topics daily and will
participate in hands-on weekly science experiments.
Social Skills- Daily free play at recess and centers encourage social skills such as sharing and
waiting for a turn, asking for wants and needs, and communicating with peers. Learning to
become self-sufficient and independent is a strong focus in PreK4.

HOURS OF SESSION
Class begins at 8:00 a.m. and is dismisses at 2:40 p.m. Morning carline runs from 7:45 a.m. until
8:00 a.m. You will be given a name sign for your car. This should be placed in the window for
afternoon pickup. If possible, attach it to the visor because we cannot see the name if it is laid on
the dashboard.
Arrival
PreK begins at 8:00 a.m. Carline begins at 7:45 a.m. and ends at 8:00 a.m. Please try to
come during the designated time. Enter in the Do Not Enter driveway behind the church
from Roberts Road. Proceed with caution. Occasionally there are cars exiting through this
driveway especially on Mondays during adoration hours. Proceed to the church door on
the side where we will get your child from the car. Please do not get out of your car. If
you arrive after 8:00, please park in a parking spot and walk your child down the stairs
and to the school door. Mrs. Bogan or Mrs. Patrick will escort your child to his or her
classroom.
Winter
During the cold days of winter, we will close the side door. Please lightly tap your horn
so we know you are there, and we will come out to get your child. If you arrive after
8:00, please park in a parking spot and walk your child down the stairs and to the school
door. Mrs. Bogan or Mrs. Patrick will escort your child to his or her classroom.

Dismissal
Dismissal is at 2:40. Pull into the same carline as in the morning, and we will bring your
child to your car. To insure the safety of all children, please do not get out of your car. If
you have a student in kindergarten or first grade, please park in the correct line and walk
to the door to pick up your PreK child. Kindergarten and first grade will be dismissed 15
minutes after our carline. If you are unable to arrive at this time please make
arrangements for your child to attend CARES.

Please put in writing via note or email any changes in your childs regular dismissal
transportation. If something changes during the day, please email your childs teacher by
2p.m. If it is after 2 p.m., please call the Lower School office 610-644-3620 and leave a
message. We rarely check emails after this time. We cannot promise to remember
changes that are relayed verbally during morning drop-off, so we really rely on your
written instructions.

AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

After school activities will be offered to PreK4 students starting in January (craft club, science
club, and soccer). If your child is attending an after school activity, this is a change in dismissal.
Therefore, please inform his or her teacher via note or email or your child will not be able to
attend the activity.
COMMUNICATION FOLDER
A Communication folder will be provided for you. Your child must bring it to school every day.
Any work or notes will be sent home in this folder. If there is anything you need to return to
school, please put it in the folder. We encourage the students to keep everything in the folder.
We check the folders every morning.
SCHOOL ATTIRE
Children will wear the Saint Patrick gym uniform every day. Sneakers are the preferred shoes as
we will be outside daily. No flip flops, clogs, sandals, dressy shoes or crocks. Please make sure
your child dresses appropriately for the weather. If your child wears boots to school, he or she
should bring sneakers to change into.
Summer Uniform: navy blue gym shorts with St. Pat's logo, grey gym shirt
Winter Uniform: navy blue sweat pants with Warriors down the side, grey gym shirt,
navy blue St. Pats sweatshirt
The St. Pat's uniform can be purchased at Flynn and O'Hara and Lands End.

NO TOYS
It is very difficult to return toys to the correct bag at the end of our busy days. Please leave
special toys in the car so when they are headed home they can enjoy their special item. There
will be Show & Tell days during the school year for special toys.

SHOW & TELL

Show and Tell will be every other week. Ideas will be on the calendar. Please bring your childs
item in a bag (if it fits) with your childs name on it. Many times children see something they like
better than what they brought and it creates tears when we are not sure who it belongs to. Please
remember to label it for us. These items will stay in a bin marked for Show and Tell until it is
time to share them, and then we will place them in their book bags - they are never left here at
school. If a child forgets to bring his or her Show and Tell item, we will let them pick something

from the classroom to use please does not drive back home to retrieve a forgotten item. On
occasion a child may want to take the classroom item home. It is fine with us to share the item,
but we ask that you return the item to school the next school session.

SNACK
Each child is to bring his or her own snack. Please include it in your childs lunch box. Children
will need a napkin for both snack and lunch. Remember that snack time is different from lunch,
and students have a limited time to eat. Please try small snack-sized products when purchasing
snacks. A reusable water bottle is preferred for snack time.
LUNCH PROCEDURES
Milk and water will be sold daily for $.75. If you would like your child to purchase either please
put the money in a bag or envelope marked milk or water and place it in his/her lunchbox.
If your child is bringing his or her own lunch, limit the amount of choices so your child is not
overwhelmed. The amount of food you would normally serve your child at home is the same
amount you should pack. Some examples of lunch are a yogurt, snack, and drink or a sandwich,
snack, and drink.
If your child is buying hot lunch, remind him or her child in the morning. Milk is included with
the hot lunch. The lunch calendar can be found on the St. Pats website. Make a copy for your
records at home so you remember the days you have ordered lunch for your child.
BIRTHDAYS
Students may dress down in play clothes on the day of their birthday/celebration. You may send
in special plates and napkins for the children to enjoy their morning snack on. Due to the food
policy, no edible treats may be sent into school. If you still are interested in sending a goody to
take home, some suggestions are small bubbles, erasers, pencils or small party favor items. No
goody bags please. We will sing Happy Birthday and give a birthday blessing to the birthday
child. If your childs birthday falls on the weekend, please contact the teacher to arrange a time
to celebrate in school. Summer birthdays may be celebrated on the childs half-birthday or in the
later months of the school year (May and June.)
HOLIDAY PARTIES
We will have a small celebration with a small snack. There is a sign-up sheet as to what is needed
for each holiday party. We ask that you sign up to bring and item for one of the parties. We will
be taking a class picture at each event.
The holiday parties include Halloween, Thanksgiving, Valentines, St Patricks Day, and Easter.

There will also be celebrations before Christmas and at the end of the year.

The parties will only include the following foods: fruits, vegetables and pretzels (per the
School Food Policy)

Saint Patrick School Food Policy

Established May 2016
Saint Patrick School is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for students with
severe or life-threatening food allergies. Childrens health increasingly must be addressed by
schools. As we strive to improve the academic success of our students, we cannot lose sight of
the health challenges some students face and the need to prevent and effectively respond to
health emergencies in school. Learning, safety, and the well-being of students go hand-in-hand.
Among the most serious health challenges schools must be prepared to address are lifethreatening chronic conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, and food allergies. While each chronic
condition requires specific knowledge, preparation, training, and services for effective
management, they share the need for a comprehensive and coordinated approach that is built on a
foundation of partnership between schools, families, and healthcare providers.
Healthy meals and eating support our schools core mission of education, especially when it
comes to boosting students concentration, focus and cognitive function. Nutritious school food
and snacks helps students develop lifelong healthy eating habits. It also contributes to a culture
of wellness at school, reinforcing nutrition education messages from teachers. To this end, the
following policy has been established:
Morning Snack time no peanut butter products or any tree nuts may be eaten in the class
room, however, they may be eaten in the cafeterias at lunch time.
Designated Nut Free tables are established in the cafeteria. Parents who have a child with a
peanut/tree nut allergy and do not wish their child to sit at the designated Nut Free table will be
required to sign a waiver freeing the school/parish from any responsibility.
Birthday Celebrations no food

Birthdays for grades 2-8 will be celebrated with the student being prayed for during
morning prayers, a dress down, and homework pass. Teachers in PreK-1 will creatively
celebrate each child's birthday in addition to the dress down and prayers. Students with
summer birthdays may celebrate their half birthday.
No birthday treats will be permitted in school

Class Parties for Holidays no food

National Blue Ribbon Award Anniversary dress down, ice pops

Halloween PreK and K parade, 1st grade Saints program
Christmas - red and green dress down, board games, class movie, craft, book exchanges,
service project for older grades. Acceptable snacks are: ice pops, Dum Dums, and

individual Italian Water Ice. Classrooms with no food allergies may also provide
vegetable and fruit trays as well as soft pretzels and popcorn.
Valentines Day cards only in appropriate grades Allergy free Student Council Candy
grams
St. Patricks Day School staff will plan celebration dance, bingo, etc.
Easter Grades PreK-1 Easter Egg Hunt no candy/food in eggs

Other Parents will receive sufficient notification (at least 24 hours) of the below events so they
can provide appropriate foods for their child/ren (Other smaller classroom events may be added
and reported to parents:

Thanksgiving Day Feast 3rd grade

Christmas Polar Bear Express movie popcorn and hot chocolate PreK -1st
Catholic Schools Week breakfast grades 2-4
International Day middle school
Mission Day all grades

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

At St. Pats we follow the health guidelines set by Great Valley School District. The following
information was taken from their website. Your child should not attend school if they have:

Fever of 100 degrees or higher: stay home until fever-free for 24 hours without
Tylenol or Advil/Motrin; if your child awakens during the night with a fever but feels
well in the morning, please keep your child home until the 24 hour period is over
Vomiting/Diarrhea/Nausea: stay home until no vomiting/diarrhea for 24 hours; if your
child awakens during the night with vomiting or diarrhea, please keep your child
home until the 24 hour period is over
Symptoms such as cough, headache, sore throat, abdominal cramping, and/or
generally looks sick
Severe chest and/or nasal congestion or frequent nasal discharge
Frequent coughing

HEAD LICE GUIDELINES

To minimize school absence while containing head lice infestation, we will follow the
guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Association of School
Nurses, and the Centers for Disease Control on containment of head lice as listed below. Full
class screening for head lice in a school setting has not been proven to
significantly affect the incidence of head lice in schools. Studies have shown that

these screenings are essentially ineffective; head lice have a very low contagion
in classroom settings, and head lice are not known to be vectors of disease. Class
screening for head lice will therefore not be performed as a measure for control.
Guidelines:
Upon report or discovery of live head lice, the School Nurse will check
the affected childs head for live head lice.
If live head lice are found, the School Nurse will call the childs parent
and request that they take their child home.
The School Nurse will advise on methods of treatment for head lice.
The affected child may return to school after treatment of live head
lice, and will report to the school nurse to be approved for school
attendance.
Children may not remain in school if a significant number of live head
lice are found, but they are permitted to remain in school if nits (head
lice eggs) are found.
If the student has siblings in the school, the School Nurse will check
the siblings for any live head lice.
If your child has lice found at home not in school, please notify us in PreK so we can take
the appropriate necessary measures.
Students who are ill will not be permitted to remain in school. Transportation of ill students is the
responsibility of parents or of whomever a parent specifically designates to take their child home
from school. Permission by the nurse or an administrator is REQUIRED before any student with
an illness may leave the building.
Please remember that school is no place for a sick child. A sick child's learning is compromised,
and other students and staff members are put at risk of exposure to contagious illness.
A student that is absent for 5 or more consecutive days because of illness may be required to
present a note from a physician stating the cause of illness.
SAFETY AND DRILLS
One of the goals at St. Pats is to make sure our school is safe. A new security system and
cameras were installed in both schools. For the safety of all the children and staff at St. Pats,
fire and lockdown drills will occur throughout the school year. Each procedure will be reviewed
with the students prior to them occurring so the students will be prepared.
LABELING

Please help us help you by labeling all of your childs items. This includes coats, hats,
lunchboxes, sweatshirts, gloves, etc.
REST MATS
The rest mats are cloth and we will be sending them home every Friday to be washed. Please
return them in the original bag or Ziploc XL Storage Bag with your childs name on it. We will
put students names on the mats.
CLEARANCES
All parents that want to participate in events such as holiday parties, field trips, and any special
events at school need to make sure their clearances are all up to date. No one can enter the school
building without documents being up to date. Information and details can be found on the school
website, or call Mrs. Barbara King in the Parish Office at 610-647-2345.
SPECIALS
PreK 3: Library, Music, Gym
PreK 4: Library, Music, Gym, Computers
Please make sure to return library books on library day.
Before children may attend computer class or use the iPads, the Archdiocesan Acceptable Use
Policy needs to be completed and signed. Each student needs a headset (not ear buds) for
computer class.
CHANGE OF CLOTHES
Please place a set of seasonally appropriate clothing (including underwear and socks) in a gallon
sized Ziploc bag with your childs name clearly labeled on the front. Please label everything in
the bag with your childs name. We will send a reminder to update clothing as the weather
changes.
MASS
We will begin to attend monthly masses starting in January (PreK4). Each Saturday
night/Sunday morning is a good opportunity to discuss proper church behavior with your child.
SCHOOL COMMUNICATION
School communication is important and provides a positive relationship between home and
school. Several modes of communication exist to help keep parents informed of activities and
upcoming events that will be taking place in the school. There is a weekly newsletter will be

emailed to you directly with information regarding the events of the upcoming weeks. Our
school website is saintpatrickmalvern.org, and we have a new St. Patrick School mobile app.
Thea PreK webpage is located under each teachers name on the schools website.
To access the site, click on Faculty at the top of the page and then on your childs teachers
name.
Each teacher will have private class Instagram page and will post fun photos throughout the day
and week.

CLASSROOM RULES
During the first week of school we will be going over the rules for our classroom, the hallways,
and the playground.
Classroom
Morning routine
Keeping hands to self
No shouting
Raising hands

Hallways
Walking in line
No pushing
No talking
Holding doors

Cleaning up

Everyone will be the leader

and caboose
Greeting teachers and staff

Going home routine

Playground
Taking turns
No pushing
Help one another
Be respectful of the
playground area
How to use play equipment
properly
Everyone plays

FIELD TRIPS
We are will schedule the following fun educational events:
Sugartown Strawberries Pumpkin Patch Field Trip- October
Grocery Store Field Trip- February
Malvern Pizza Field Trip- March
PreK students are not permitted to ride school buses; therefore a parent/adult will need to drive
each child to and from the field trips. Walking field trips that are close may require a few parents
to help escort us to the location.
CONTACT

Please email or call your teacher with any questions or concerns. We will do our best to get in
touch with you before the next class session. Email is usually the best way to reach us.
We will use email to send reminders as well as changes to the school/class calendar.