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 an optional, fee-based, before- and after-school child care program for students kindergarten through 5th grade. The program is in high demand due to its excellent quality, convenience and competitive fees. Enrollment in Club Care is not guaranteed, and each school has a limited enrollment capacity. 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 summer months, activities and events are planned to include academic enrichment, social skill development and active play and recreation.

If you would like to register for Full-Day Care with preschool for the 2023/24 school year, please contact Rita at mortensenr@district112.org or 952-556-6401. Depending on specific class availability you may be put on a waiting list. 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.

StormHawks Preschool provides an immersive classroom environment where creativity and imagination abound! Our inclusive classrooms help students discover a love for learning in an engaging, stimulating, and academically rich environment. Your child will interact in a learning environment filled with fun, challenging, and creative learning activities while making friends, learning educational routines, and becoming more independent. To complement the preschool day, we offer wrap around care on opposite ends of the day. StormHawks Wrap Around Care is an option-based childcare program including active play, hands-on experiential learning, and the option to choose from multiple activities that highlight a wide variety of interest areas. The childcare day focuses on social and emotional development as well as the needs and interests of children ages 3 years old to entering kindergarten.

If you would like to register for Half Day Preschool, Taste of Preschool, Preschool to Kindergarten Connection or Nature Preschool for the 2023/24 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. 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.

Summer SMILES This program offers lower ratios and programming geared toward children ages 3 through entering 1st grade, with tailored activities and daily schedules for each age group. Children must be age 3 by 9/1/2023 in order to attend Summer 2024 programming. Summer Club Care This program provides a variety of supervised activities and experiences aimed at promoting social, physical, and intellectual development in a fun and engaging environment for students going into 1st - 5th grade. Summer PULSE This program is designed to meet the needs of entering 5th - 8th grade 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. Different age groups will have different boundaries in terms of supervision.