March 29, 2024
Local News | The Times


Local News

Kimes pre-school program powers onward through pandemic

Pre-K for All Program serves Streator children ages 3 and 4

Kimes Elementary School in Streator is proud to introduce its Kimes’ Pre-K for All Program: Our Littlest Learners During the Pandemic.

The Streator Elementary District 44 Pre-K for All Program is servicing students in person for 2 ½ hours on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays in both morning and afternoon sections. Wednesdays are being used for extensive cleaning of all classroom materials, contacting families for help with e-learning, remote therapy sessions, as well as preparation for classroom and remote learning activities.

Kimes staff members want to show and tell the community that students are doing a great job wearing face masks, and it doesn’t hurt that the school has little help from Principal Heather Ketcham’s popsicle incentive – if the students are caught wearing their masks 10 times, they earn a popsicle party.

Children who cannot wear a face mask are given the opportunity to participate in remote learning. They are meeting through Google daily with Amy Jankowski and are able to participate in the same learning activities that are being taught in the other in-person classrooms

Children who are unable to participate via the internet are receiving special education services through walk-in therapy sessions on Wednesdays. This may include speech sessions with Amy Naas and Erica Grilglioni, occupational services with Kelsey Ott and Chris Gliwa or developmental therapies with one of the classroom teachers. Kimes is trying to create unique ways to meet all of the needs of the littlest learners in the community.

Staff are continuing to enroll new pre-K students until all of the sections are full. If you are interested in having a child attend the program in-person, the first step is to set up a preschool screening appointment through the countywide LEASE co-op by calling 815-433-6433. Students are eligible for pre-K and can be screened at 3 years old.

If a child already has been screened, their name will be put on the waiting list and contacted as spots are available. The program is trying to service 4-year-olds first and then will enroll 3-year-olds.

To register, make sure to have all of the required documentation ready. Pre-K students need a LEASE screening, a certified birth certificate, a physical, updated immunization records with a lead screen and proof of Streator residency. Once the office has everything, the school will give parents the code to register online.

“This year is definitely different than any other year,” said team leader Angie Graff. “We are limiting class sizes, minimizing sharing of materials, spacing students out in centers of two, walking in lines like airplanes or superheroes to create body spacing, washing hands frequently and are using a lot of what the kids call, ‘Hanitizer’ (hand sanitizer) before and after we use Play-Doh, water and outside toys.

“We understand that these young students learn best from in person instruction with their peers. We want to make sure that families understand we are working very hard to keep the pre-K classrooms as safe, normal and engaging as possible.”

Pre-K for All teachers include Toni Pflibsen, Angie Graff, Jordan Berninger, Lorena Torres, Amy Jankowski and Melissa Nofer, who is substituting for a bit this year. Teacher assistants include Deb Wissen, Laurie Benning, Cheri French, Karri Pawelczyk, Renae Ondrey, Kelli Chapman and Elaine Wheeler.

April Tamulen is the music teacher at Kimes Elementary School in Streator. The Times invites educators to submit articles highlighting programs and activities happening in schools. For more information, email newsroom@mywebtimes.com.