Rescue School District to offer innovative programs

The Rescue Union School District is pleased to announce the availability of three innovative educational programs for 2011-12.

These exciting learning opportunities include transitional kindergarten programs at Lakeview, Jackson and Green Valley elementary schools, a kindergarten to second grade Montessori program at Rescue Elementary School, and a kindergarten to fifth grade visual and performing arts program at Jackson Elementary School. All programs are offered at no cost to parents.

Transitional kindergarten

Rescue Union School District’s highly acclaimed junior kindergarten programs are designed to meet the needs of youngsters who are not quite ready to master the rigorous California Kindergarten Standards in one school year and who would benefit from a two-year kindergarten experience.

Using a developmental approach, this program provides children with the additional time they need to become strong students while developing the critical skills they will need for success in regular kindergarten. Extensive research supports the effectiveness of two year programs for students with late fall birthdays or concerns about kindergarten readiness.

Children turning 5 on or before Dec. 2, (legal kindergarten age), are eligible to begin the program in August.

Children who turn five after Dec. 2, may enroll as they turn 5, on a space available basis until March 1, 2012.

Programs are located at Lakeview, Jackson, and Green Valley elementary schools, however, students from all schools may apply to attend. Students return to his or her school of residence for regular kindergarten.

The half-day, morning programs are taught by fully credentialed teachers. The curriculum focuses on readiness skills in English language arts, mathematics, and fine and gross motor development, while also addressing the social/emotional needs of young students by helping them learn to interact and build relationships with peers and adults.

Montessori program

The Rescue Union School District’s Montessori program is offered free of charge to students in kindergarten through second grade and is located at Rescue Elementary School.

A fee-based Montessori preschool, operated by the El Dorado County Office of Education is also located on the Rescue Elementary School campus.

Students enrolled in the Montessori preschool program will have priority acceptance for the following year’s Montessori kindergarten.

The goal of Montessori Education is to foster independent, competent, responsible, and adaptive citizens who are lifelong learners and problem solvers. Learning occurs in an inquiring, cooperative, nurturing atmosphere, where students increase their own knowledge through self- and teacher initiated experiences.

Teachers take on the role of guides and children direct their own learning by manipulating materials and interacting with others. These meaningful experiences are precursors to the abstract understanding of ideas. Respectful and caring attitudes for oneself, others, the environment, and all life are also important concepts that are integrated within the program.

Visual and performing arts school

Jackson Elementary School is home to an extensive visual and performing arts program. The arts – music, dance, theater and visual arts are a critical piece of the school’s K-5 curriculum.

Students are able to examine the world through visual and performing arts, fostering an appreciation of diverse cultures and developing a deeper understanding of themselves.

Music, theatrical performances, and a variety of visual arts activities are woven into the standards-based curriculum at each grade level. Music theory is taught independently at each grade level.

Student offerings include K-3 weekly music instruction, fourth and fifth grade instrumental band classes, dance instruction, a junior and senior choir and the Jackson Actor’s Guild which produces a K-3 fall musical production and a fourth and fifth grade spring musical production each year.

Students can also participate in oral interpretation, which is a poetry recital competition where students can write original poetry or recite an author’s poem.

For Further Information on these programs contact: Jackson Elementary School at 916-933-1828, Lakeview Elementary School at 916-941-2600, Green Valley Elementary School at 530-677-3686 and Rescue Elementary School at 530-677-2720.