St. Benedict's expands with new preschool program
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

While many area schools are faced with closures, St. Benedict's School looks forward to expanding its programming.

The 2007-08 school year will include the launch of the new full-day and half-day pre-kindergarten programs for 4- and 5-year-olds.

"Parents wanted a full-time program. They asked for it so we decided to give it a try," Principal Pat Boyd said.

Benefiting not only the St. Benedict's community, the pre-k program is reaching out to those Catholic schools that will close at the end of the year.

Boyd said letters have been sent to families affected by the school closings, informing them of the new program at St. Benedict's.

"This is an exciting time. We are doing something new to reach out to the community," she said.

The program will run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for the half-day program.

It follows the diocesan-approved curriculum and includes developmentally appropriate activities through music, physical education, art and reading.

"Children learn through play at this age," Boyd said about the goal of the program.

Patricia A. Recchio, a certified pre-k teacher, will be the program's instructor. She has two years experience as director of Infant of Prague School's pre-k program.

"My goal is to become a facilitator of learning so that children may develop the desire to think, explore and discover on their own, thereby creating in them a lifelong love of learning," Recchio said.

The program requires a $125 registration fee, and the full-day program is $2,875 and the half-day, $1,725. An extended-day program is available until 6 p.m. for an additional cost.

For information on registration and the program, call 835-2518.

"We are very excited about this new pre-k," Boyd said. "We believe that it offers a unique program that was designed to meet the spiritual and educational needs of young families."