Community Education--Eastern Carver Co Schools

Community Education responds to the needs of the community. We know that learning takes place at all ages, all levels, and across all socioeconomic and cultural sectors. We know our community embraces a wealth of resources, and Community Education is positioned to offer a variety of quality learning opportunities ranging from hobbies, passions, life-skills, professional development, and more!

Club Care is a school age care program offered before and after school through Community Education. Club Care curriculum is developed based on the needs and interests of students and with the philosophy that learning is a year-round process. During the school year, activities and events are planned to include academic enrichment, social skill development, and recreation.

The Half-Day portion of your child’s day provides a 2.5 hour preschool class with a licensed teacher where the curriculum focuses on social, emotional, cognitive, physical and creative development with strong emphasis on pre-math and pre-literacy skills. Before and after preschool care is provided with play-based math, science, literacy, and social skills development opportunities embedded. Breakfast and daily snacks are included. A rest period is also provided. Spanish enrichment is offered at the La Academia location. **Children must be three by September 1, 2023, potty-trained and able to use the toilet independently to attend Full-Day Care. Special Education services are provided during the half-day preschool sessions (2.5 hrs). Accommodations and modifications will be implemented through collaboration of the special education and general education team, but direct services and support are not provided in the care portion of the day.

If you would like to register for Half Day Preschool, Taste of Preschool, Preschool to Kindergarten Connection or Nature Preschool for the 2022-2023 school year, please contact Annie at mattsona@district112.org or 952-556-6407. Depending on specific class availability you may be put on a waiting list. Enrollment for 23/24 school year opens 1/18/23 @ 8 a.m. The StormHawks Preschool program offers a high-quality early learning opportunity using the Early Childhood Indicators of Progress (ECIPS), Minnesota’s early learning standards. The mission of our preschool program is to create an engaging and welcoming classroom community for all learners. We provide a positive and personalized daily learning experience for every child by using each learner’s unique skills and interests to design each lesson. Our program utilizes ongoing and authentic assessments to ensure we are viewing and supporting each child across all areas of their development. We welcome every learner…all preschool classrooms: Are developmentally appropriate programs that support active learning and promote children’s progress in all developmental areas. Classrooms feature Play, Exploration, and Personalized Learning. Employ teachers who are committed to creating an environment which will prepare children for kindergarten in district schools. Include teachers licensed by the Minnesota Department of Education, many have Masters Degrees in teaching or related fields. Partner with Eastern Carver County Early Childhood Special Education. Are four-star Parent Aware rated, promoting high-quality education opportunities for our youngest learners. Taste of StormHawks Preschool -- 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 years old (must be 2 1/2 years old by September 1st) Children attend classes for two hours and develop social skills while making new friends, discovering new ideas through creative play, and gaining independence. Half-Day StormHawks Preschool -- 3-5 years old (must be 3 years old by September 1st) Our diverse, culturally responsive, and inclusive preschool is committed to meeting the needs of every learner. Curriculum focuses on social, emotional, cognitive, physical and creative development with strong emphasis on pre-math and pre-literacy skills. Field trips are a part of our classroom experiences. Parents are welcome and encouraged to visit the classroom, join us on fieldtrips, and participate in special preschool days. StormHawks Nature Preschool -- 3-5 years old (must be 3 years old by September 1st) Spark your child’s curiosity through hands-on, experiential learning focused on environmental education in the outdoors. This program is designed for students who want to learn through exploration and are comfortable in an outside environment for extended periods of time (some days it may be the whole class time.) Students must have the prerequisite skills of being fully potty trained and listening/attention skills to stay with the group. A list of outdoor clothing will be provided to families. We are hoping to have grant money available to families who need assistance with purchasing necessary equipment. This class includes field days at Camp Fire Minnesota and regular planning/consultation between the naturalist and the preschool teacher. StormHawks Preschool to Kindergarten Connection -- 4-5 years old (must be 4 years old by September 1st) Is your child’s birthday after September 1st and your child will just miss the cut off for kindergarten? This Kindergarten Connection Preschool class is for you! Social emotional maturity will be an ongoing focus so those students are ready academically and socially for the expectations of kindergarten. Ongoing assessment connected with rigorous expectations will help your child be ready for kindergarten.

The PULSE is designed to meet the needs of older elementary and middle school students as they grow into responsible teens. At times, young people will be outside of the direct supervision of adults with clear expectations about appropriate boundaries and rules. This will apply to certain times on site as well as field trips throughout the summer. Abuse of rules, check-in times, and set parameters will result in loss of privileges. Attention to the needs of young teens and pre-teens will be given and, at times, different age groups will have different boundaries in terms of supervision. Participants of the PULSE program will have the opportunity to go on field trips throughout the summer. A schedule will be available by early April. In addition to the scheduled trips, PULSE may add impromptu trips as decided by the participants. Ideas will be generated by participants and could include an afternoon movie on rainy days, trips to Dairy Queen, local parks, etc. In order to provide more flexibility to accommodate older children’s busy schedules, PULSE families have an option to pick their days of attendance for the summer. Pick your day schedules must be completed by Friday, April 14th 2023. After April 14th scheduled days will not be refunded. Additional days may be added as space allows for an additional fee. This year, families may also choose to register using a consistent schedule of 3-5 days per week, the same days each week. Choosing a consistent schedule is accompanied by a $2/day discount. For those who choose a consistent schedule, vacation days may be requested.