It is our mission to create a safe, play-based environment of developmentally appropriate learning experiences for all students. We believe parental partnerships are essential for kindergarten readiness and in fostering a lifelong love of learning.

Bright Beginnings follows the MN state guidelines for age requirements.

All children must be 3 on or 4 before September 1, 2023. Children must be completely toilet trained, meaning independent wiping, washing and dressing. No diapers or pullups. Immunization records will be requested and early childhood screening scheduled during the year. Screening is not required for preschool registration. Bright Beginnings is an inclusive program, partnering with early childhood special education.

Our teachers maintain an Early Childhood MN teaching license and regularly participate in continuing education classes. In addition to utilizing our imaginative and resourceful staff, we apply Creative Curriculum and Handwriting without Tears methods throughout the classroom.

John McDonald, Principal

Bright Beginnings Preschool

3 Years (children 3 on or before 9/1/23):

Familiarization with school routines including separation, transitions, and turn-taking. Children will develop rule following skills in a group setting and evolve social/emotional skills with peer interactions. Introduction to pre-academic and fine motor skills through play.

4 and 5 Years (children 4 on or before 9/1/23):

Cooperative group interactions, turn-taking, independence and socialization. Literacy preparation including letter/sound recognition, reading, listening, and questioning. Pre-math skills of sorting, patterning, counting, and quantifying objects. Fine motor practice including name writing and scissor skills. A solid foundation of skills to prepare children for kindergarten.

The superintendent and transportation personnel will begin checking National Weather Service reports, radar and road conditions around 4:00 a.m. The superintendent and transportation personnel will consult with city snow removal crews and other school districts for updates on road conditions and safety. School closings and delays will be based upon the following:

· Current weather conditions and future forecast including temperatures and wind chill conditions

· Timing of the start and end of a storm and of other weather conditions such as fog and ice

· Ability of road crews to plow and maintain roads and apply chemicals in conditions that improve road surfaces

· Ability of district grounds staff and contracted services to remove snow in parking lots

Notifications:

Families should always assume schools are open and in session, unless they hear or see differently from an official source. Websites will only indicate when schools are closed or delayed; not when they remain open. If schools will be using a 2-hour late start or canceling altogether, the District will notify parents starting at approximately 5:30 a.m. on the day of the late start or cancellation. On occasion, decisions may be communicated the night before the late start or cancellation. Parents will be notified using the following tools:

Phone/Voice messages

Text messages

Email messages

District website posting

The district will notify local media outlets – WCCO, KSTP, KARE, and KMSP (Fox 9) – but cannot guarantee how or when the media will report the information we provide them. Additional information can be found on the district website.

http://www.stma.k12.mn.us/district/district-overview/school-emergency/school-weather-closing-delays-and-early-dismissals