Tots on Track for School (TOTS) and Curiosity Corner Preschool Director Kathy Burch has completed her first year leading these two programs. Providing a strong foundation of education and fun is important for development and preparation for kindergarten. Through classes and playgroups young children and their caregivers have the opportunity to participate in activities together which promotes social and academic skills. New this summer the TOTS program will be offering some summer gatherings.
TOTS Offerings
It’s often a challenge finding activities for kids who are eager to explore the world around them but not of school age. The TOTS program is a great way to find activities for the younger crowd and meet other families. Warning: long-lasting friendships may be formed in the process.
During the school year an hour-long playgroup is offered twice a week at Runciman School for $1/child. Cooking, art, and gymnastics classes are also offered at reasonable pricing. Playgroups promote social interaction and meeting new friends. The classes give kids the opportunity to experience a short class setting where they listen and follow directions. These classes are parent or caregiver participation along with the children.
During the school year Burch leads the playgroups and loves visiting preschool classrooms and interacting with the kids. Each of her newsletters to parents includes memorable quotes from preschool students. She calls her first year a success saying, “I truly enjoyed meeting and getting to know the children and their families. I felt very supported and welcomed by the Lowell Area School’s staff and Administrative department, what a family this school district is!”
Curiosity Corner and TOTS families are also invited to monthly fun nights held in the Bushnell Elementary School cafeteria. Each hour-long event has a theme with various activities associated with the topic. The grand finale is an annual carnival celebration in May.
Summer Fun
After hearing feedback from parents during playgroups Burch decided to offer some summer activities. Summer gatherings will allow friends to keep in touch and for other families to connect before the beginning of the school year.
Three Tuesdays this summer classroom activities will take place at the Runciman building in room 102 off the parking lot behind the building near the playground. These hour-long classroom setting will involve play and other activities. Stop by between 10-11am on July 11 and 25 as well as August 8. There is a $1 charge for each child and a parent or caregiver remains to participate.
A trike day in the Bushnell parking lot and meet at the park days are also going to take place in July. For weather purposes information about these days will be posted on the TOTS website and Facebook page typically on Monday mornings. These events will also be parent or guardian participation.
Looking Ahead
One of Burch’s biggest accomplishments during her first year was bringing in teacher aides for the 4s program. Rather than having parent or other members of the family volunteer an aid will be in each classroom. This will provide more stability and structure allowing students to prepare for full days of school.
Burch would also love to launch and after school program in the future. She comments, “Our programs are currently only half day programs, and with the all day everyday kindergarten, I feel it would help to better prepare some children for the future educational journey.”
Information at Your Fingertips
Information about TOTS programing can be found online. A link to class registration is available there as well. In the fall a six-week gymnastics session is offered Tuesday and Fridays. And a cooking “Kids in the Kitchen (for 2.5-5 year olds) is also on Fridays. During the winter a six-week gymnastics session will be offered on Tuesdays and Fridays followed by a separate seven week session on the same days of the week. An art class (for 2.5-5 year olds) will take place on Fridays as well.
Likewise details about Curiosity Corner Preschool has a page on part of the Lowell Area School District’s site. There are a variety of options for children who will be three and four by September 1.
Burch concludes, “I absolutely love what I do for a living! I love that I am a part of those first steps of each child’s educational journey. I want it to be a positive experience because In the end, it’s a good beginning that counts!”
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