- Brewster Central School District
- Homepage
UPK @ St. James
As you walk into St. James the Apostle School in Carmel, you hear the sounds of little voices in the gymnasium, smell pancakes from the cafeteria that overlooks the lake, and see student artwork on all of the walls. It is clearly a happy place.
The school, which is 70 years old and serves 138 students in grades pre-K through five, houses three Brewster Central School District universal pre-kindergarten classes with 34 students in total. The program is only two years old, but “the transition has been so smooth,” said Director Maura Crawford, “Every detail to figure out the logistics by the district was considered–from food services to transportation–everyone was flexible, there were open lines of communication, and we worked together.”
The pre-k classrooms are brightly decorated and set up for directed play. There are centers for imaginative play that change on a regular basis–Cupid’s Corner for Valentine’s Day in which students can pretend to make and sell baked goods; building–wooden blocks, train tracks, and cardboard brick boxes for larger structures; math–farm animal manipulatives, counting trays, magnatiles; writing–letter cards, paper, pencils, pictures to show letter sounds; and a reading corner filled with books, cozy chairs and puppets.
Lately, students have been involved in a building unit through the Creative Curriculum. They read “Iggy Peck Architect” by Andrea Beaty; created building-themed artwork; and acted out a puppet show version of the Three Little Pigs with an emphasis on the types of building materials used for the three houses. They will come together for an end of unit celebration with parents to recreate their own community out of boxes with familiar buildings in Brewster, Carmel and Mahopac.
Diana Poli, one of the pre-k teachers, is reading “Let’s Play” by Herve Tullet, an interactive experience for students who are seated on a rug with colorful button designs. In a whisper she asks the students to count the steps shown in the book. They count together. They continue:
“Tip-toe, tip-toe,” she whispers.
“Za-Za-Zoom,” the class responds.
After she reads, students pick their own center in which to spend time. There is a buzz at Cupid’s Corner in which a group is busy selling croissants, cupcakes and donuts.
“Do you want to buy this strawberry cupcake,” asks Hailey Atkinson,”It’s only one dollar.”
Sold! She takes the pretend money and puts it into the cash register and smiles.
Another happy customer.
BCSD is excited to announce the continuing of the Pre-K program for the upcoming school year. Please be on the lookout for upcoming communications with important information. And save the dates for the following events: Pre-K Parent Meeting on Monday, February 3rd, 7:00 pm via Zoom; Application Opens on Tuesday, February 4th, Application Closes on Friday, February 28th, the Lottery is on Wednesday, March 12th at 2:00 and will be live-streamed and open to the public, Placement notification sent to families on Friday, March 14th and Pre-K Registration is from March 31st-April 11th.
Additional communications will be sent the week of January 27th. The application will be accessible via our website, and links will be shared via social media.