New Preschool at Summit Hill School D161 Off to a Good Start

As the first quarter is wrapping up at Summit Hill School District 161, the new preschool program is the perfect environment for 3 and 4-year olds and offers early childhood activities for at risk youngsters.

Bridget Nolan, director of special education, greeted the youngsters and teachers at Dr. Julian Rogus School with a smile as wide and welcoming as 4-year-old opening presents at his birthday party. Rogus School, 20027 S. 88th Ave., houses the Early Learning Program, which started this school year. 

The district sent out a survey last year to get a feel from the community about an early learning center program. The response was overwhelmingly in support of a tuition-based program, she added.

There are several classrooms, some are dedicated to youngsters with documented learning disabilities and others are basic preschool classrooms. 

"The Early Learning Program provides preschool aged children with classroom instruction and activities that focus on total development, including communication, cognitive, pre-academic, physical and social/emotional skills. It includes the tuition-based preschool program, early childhood and at-risk classes," explained Nolan.

Students attend five days per week for 2 ½ hours per day. The morning session is from 9:15-11:45 a.m., and the afternoon session is from 12:45-3:15 p.m. Tuition is $2750 per year payable in 10 payments of $275 each.

About 65 youngsters are enrolled in various facets of the program during this debut year of the program, said Nolan. The children are already learning concepts and skills related to language arts, math, science and physical growth. Certainly social and emotional skills are reinforced. Speaking for the preschool programs, "It's getting them ready for kindergarten," she said.   

For more information at Summit Hill School District 161, visit the district's webiste. 

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