Kindergarten

Saint Paul’s students begin elementary in Kindergarten which is happy, busy and fun-filled!  We offer a program that is meaningful and enriching for each and every student.  Our teachers provide a safe, nurturing environment where our students grow spiritually, academically, and socially. There are two Kindergarten classes each year that work and learn in conjunction with one another, while pursuing the mindful development of the whole child.

We understand that students learn best when they are engaged. Our kindergarteners thrive in an environment where they are encouraged to explore the world around them through investigations and activities. Whether it be Skyping with a scientist in the Antarctic, creating a video about recycling, reading a book to a sixth grade buddy, or estimating and then counting out how many steps to the end of the playground, activities are designed to create conversation, collaboration, and encourage critical thinking.

Curriculum Highlights

• Religion – intertwines into all daily activities and teachable moments. Our students gather to pray together daily, sharing special intentions, singing songs, and learning foundational prayers of our faith. The curriculum is deeply rooted in tradition, scripture, and prayer, providing the necessary tools and support to guide students’ faith journey and help them recognize “God in all things”.Furthermore, our students are celebrated as unique individuals of God’s creation through the “I am Special” project. Starting in January, our Kindergarteners will have the opportunity to attend school-wide Mass, enhancing their spiritual growth and connection to our school community.
• Language Arts – designed to help students grasp the fundamentals of successful reading. Students immerse themselves in language arts by exploring culturally relevant and diverse texts. Our program is structured around the eight evidence-based elements of reading and literacy instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, writing, language, and knowledge-building. We aim to provide a comprehensive approach to literacy development by focusing on these key elements. Additionally, during their Kindergarten year, students have the opportunity to participate in small group instruction through the Early Learning Center. This setup allows for more individualized learning experiences, catering to each student’s specific needs and strengths.  
• Math – provides the foundations of mathematics and numeracy, addition/subtraction fluency, and problem-solving using logic, observation, and creativity.
• Science – sparks curiosity with engaging hands-on activities that explore scientific phenomena in an inquiry-based approach that is aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
• Social Studies – explores the value of good citizenship, the work of community helpers, and the importance of recognizing and celebrating Heritage months. 
• Enrichment – Kindergarteners spend time each week learning from department specialists in Art, PE, Spanish, Music, Chess, Library, Robotics, and Yoga/Mindfulness.
• Technology – integrates into Kindergarten at an age-appropriate level and is used to enhance the learning experience for students. Kindergarteners use classroom 1:1 iPads to engage in educational games and applications. Students have a designated “Techie Time” where a Technology teacher introduces programming and coding. In addition to this, our students participate in hands-on robotics activities as part of our STEM enrichment program, fostering their creativity and problem-solving abilities.