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St. Mary Preschool marks fifth anniversary
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FOR MORE INFORMATION: Archdiocese of Denver Office of Catholic Schools Saint Mary Preschool [Littleton] Catholic Schools Open House: Nov. 7 |
At one time, the kindergarten through second-grade classes of St. Mary School in Littleton were not only in a separate building, they were 2 miles away.
But in 2005 a new wing was added to the school for these students and a preschool program established. In addition, a Legacy Program was introduced to create interaction between the youngest and older students.
“It was important for all the parts to be a connected body,” said preschool director Kathy Wetstein.
The way the program works is that each of the older grades joins the preschoolers in a specific activity. So, when second-graders were learning about Native Americans they, and the preschoolers, participated in powwow dancing with a Winnebago member. Other activities the preschoolers have participated in have included science experiments with third-graders, being reading buddies with fourth-graders and learning secret agent message painting with sixth-graders.
According to Wetstein, the coming together of the grades goes beyond academics, allowing the youngest children the chance to get to know and be comfortable around older students and giving the older students leadership roles.
A Mass to mark the fifth anniversary of the preschool was celebrated at St. Mary’s on Oct. 16 followed by a reception for current and past students.
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