Kindergarten
Students in kindergarten receive a Christ-centered education. With an emphasis on academic and spiritual development, our curriculum encourages students to mature in their relationship with Jesus and to attain the academics needed for elementary success. Together, with the family, we prepare our students for success in the classroom and beyond by encouraging a deep understanding of God’s great love for them.
Curriculum:
Each day includes sharing our love for the Lord through Bible stories, prayer, music, and devotions.
Concordia Publishing House’s One in Christ curriculum is used to explore God’s Word. Students learn about sin, forgiveness, and grace while focusing on the actions of God on behalf of his people. The curriculum centers on Christ so that students will have optimal opportunities to grow in their faith and Christian lives.
Language arts instruction includes reading readiness, phonics, handwriting, journaling, and poetry. Students use the Saxon Reading program.
Math skills are developed using the hands-on Saxon Math program.
The Battle Creek Science curriculum encourages students to engage in physical science, life science, earth science, and inquiry and technology. Students carry out investigations, talk and write about their observations and emerging understandings, and discuss ways to test them.
Students attend Spanish, music, art, library, physical education, and chapel each week. Technology is available to enhance and support concepts. Field trips are used to enrich and support curriculum. Some special education services are available.
Enrollment:
The state of Michigan is phasing in a new age guideline for parents wishing to enroll a child in kindergarten. In each of the next three years the cutoff date by which a child must be five years old will change slightly. Kindergarten students in the 2013-2014 school year must be five years old by November 1, 2013. For the 2014-2015 school year the student must be five by October 1, 2014. And for the 2015-2016 school year the birthday cutoff is September 1, 2015. September 1 will then become the permanent cutoff date. Parents may seek principal permission for their child to begin school earlier if it is in the child’s best interests.
All students must have a valid birth certificate, proof of immunization or an immunization waiver, and a physical prior to attending school.
Schedule:
Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran School offers both a half-day and full-day kindergarten. Kindergarten doors open at 8:35am; class begins at 8:45am.
Half-day students are released at noon. There are limited half-day kindergarten spots. Students enrolled in the half-day kindergarten program have the opportunity to transition to the full-day program at the end of each quarter.
Full-day students are released at 3:50pm. Full-day students will experience additional opportunities for enrichment, reinforcement, and creative expression in addition to core curriculum subjects.
Before and after school extended care is available.
