Showing posts with label Preschool. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Preschool. Show all posts
First Holy Cross Preschool Graduation
0 comments Posted by Holy Cross Volunteer Coordinator at 10:29 AM
The pride in the air was almost palpable as staff, parents, friends, brothers and sisters watched the young graduates assemble. And they looked beautiful too - the girls in gorgeious dresses and boys in black pants and bow tie, all covered in a magnificent graduation gown and cap.
The ceremony, planned by the infant school staff, was wonderful. The children were well prepared and looked so confient - hard to belive they were the same children who joined us a year ago. They sang a song about how much they looked forward to going to primary school and accepted their diplomas proudly. After the ceremony, parents and children enjoyed a celebratory meal.
Pictures say so much more than words, so look forward to plenty more below.
But first I want to thank all those who have made this first year of preschool possible - the Anglican Diocese, the teachers, the parents and all the volunteers who donated their time, toys, books and money to make this happen. We belive that this preschool will have a huge impact on the community and the academic future of these children. PLEASE help us to keep the preschool thriving by supporting Holy Cross Anglican school - donate by sending a check to PO Box 59, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize on online/check via the 501c3 registered Holy Cross Education Foundation. Contact volunteerbelize@gmail.com to find out about donating supplies or volunteering.
Pictures say so much more than words, so look forward to plenty more below.
But first I want to thank all those who have made this first year of preschool possible - the Anglican Diocese, the teachers, the parents and all the volunteers who donated their time, toys, books and money to make this happen. We belive that this preschool will have a huge impact on the community and the academic future of these children. PLEASE help us to keep the preschool thriving by supporting Holy Cross Anglican school - donate by sending a check to PO Box 59, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize on online/check via the 501c3 registered Holy Cross Education Foundation. Contact volunteerbelize@gmail.com to find out about donating supplies or volunteering.
 |
| Getting ready to march to the stage |
 |
| Singing a song |
 |
| Receiving certificates from Vice Principal Mrs Tasher |
 |
| Just too cute |
 |
| Nurse Jamilyn - what a cutie! |
Our preschool children are learning many of the same things as their counterparts from around the world - simple numbers, letters, learning through play, how to get along with others and the rules of being in a classroom.
In Belize, few children attend preschool. Often this is because the local preschools are very expensive - one local preschool is charging $25 Belize ($12.50 US) a week per child at preschool - a huge burden when you consider the average wage is $40 BZ per day and families commonly have 5 children. Also, particularly at our school where we focus on providing education for the most disadvantaged children, few have had parents who have had the skill, resources or time to teach their children any of the basic skills and knowledge many western schools take for granted.
Mrs Jamira, the preschool teacher, who previously taught our Infant 1 class (equivalent to K in the US system), had a lot to say about the advantages our preschool is giving our children. In previous years she says it's been common to have many children who arrive at school very unprepared. Many don't have the simple skills you might expect - how to hold a pencil, count to 5, spell their name or know their age, write any letters or even know the names of shapes. With 1 teacher to 25 or more children, it's really tough to fill these gaps in learning while also keeping up with the curriculum. But now, with our preschool, we have a whole class of children who are already learning these skills, who can be role models and helpers to their peers.
Now for the cute pictures! March was child stimulation month and all the preschools had a chance to break out and learn beyond the classroom. Our kids had a ball. Here's a few highlights:
 | |
| Culture Day, where all the children came dressed as one of the cultures found in Belize. |
 |
| Community day: All the kids came dressed as a community worker, then spent the day meeting real community workers and learning about their jobs. |
 |
| Three legged races in the park |
 | |
| Family Craft day was a hit |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)