Claymont Preschool at St. Mark had a wonderful 61st year of providing early education to 64 children who reside in our surrounding communities. May of 2023 brought to close our 2022-2023 school year, and Susan Talley’s first full year as Preschool Director. Susan has enjoyed her new role at St. Mark and made a smooth transition with parents and teachers, from the previous Director, Lynne Dauve.
Summer school began in early June, and 23 children attend school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays for three weeks. Our amazing teachers lead two classes in exploring a variety of unconventional ways to create art.
We continued to offer our three different aged classes: Two-Year-Old, Three-Year-Old, and PreK, for the 2023-2024 school year. Interest and enrollment for three days a week for our three-year-old age, greatly increased. This allowed us to have two different classes for this group, when traditionally there has only been one. Interest for our PreK class was also high late in the summer, though opening a second classroom for this group was not feasible. Our TwoYear-Old Class held steady in enrollment with 18 students.
Our extended day, lunch bunch option, has been popular this school year. Our daily enrollment varies from 8 to 24 students. By staying longer at school, until 1:30, our students are gaining stamina for a longer school day, learning how to take care of their own lunch needs, and getting extra time to play with their friends. Our parents also had the option of signing their children up for extra school activities. The Gymnastics Express Bus comes two days a week, and Soccer Shots comes once a week to teach our students skills in these sports.
Claymont Preschool at St. Mark was fortunate to gain a few updates in 2023. The hallways of our school received new paint and baseboards this summer, and photographs of our preschool children now adorn the hallways. This fall, our children painted rocks to help create a flower rock garden on the side of our building. It transformed the space from weedy grass to something beautiful. When our students get dropped off from their car, they love seeing their own handiwork. Our Two-Year-Old playground, behind the back parking lot, was replaced this fall. Our youngest preschool children, adore our new safe space to play! Finally, Fellowship Hall, our music classroom, and our preschool bathrooms received new paint as we closed out 2023. We are so thankful to the St. Mark Congregation for continuing to support Claymont Preschool at St. Mark. Having beautiful, and fresh spaces for our children is an important part in drawing new families to our school, Church, and community.
We are fortunate to continue to have wonderful, hardworking teachers, who go above and beyond for their students. New teachers to our staff this year complete our teaching staff of 10. We have been searching all fall for a new music teacher, and are happy to report that our search is over, and she will begin with us in January. Many thanks to the Preschool Committee for their unwavering support and dedication.They each bring wonderful perspectives that aid in making decisions for Claymont Preschool at St. Mark. We are looking forward to starting enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year with our St. Mark members on January 12, 2024. The community enrollment began January 22, 2024
With Joy, Susan Talley, Pre-School Director
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