Happy New Year! I hope that you had a wonderful break that included lots of wonderful memories with your loved ones. As we look ahead, I am excited for all that is to come in 2024! We have new studies to explore, more learning through play and lots of fun to be had together!
We are starting to plan for the 2024-2025 school year. If you are a current Bulldog Buddies family and are interested in having your child attend our Bulldog Buddies preschool program for the 2024-2025 school year, please complete the interest form below. Completing this form does not guarantee your child a spot within the program; however, it is the first step in that process. Priority will be given to our current Bulldog Buddies families. If you currently have a child attending the Bulldog Buddies preschool program, make sure you complete the interest form prior to January 17, 2024. You will receive additional information from my office as the year progresses regarding registration.
Bulldog Buddies Preschool Interest Form 2024-2025
Have a great new year!
Kristy Elsey
Assistant Director of Elementary Education
Phone: 219-663-4330 ext. 22001
Email: kelsey01@cps.k12.in.us
Preschool Art
Preschoolers often love to create their own artwork. It’s important to give young children time to explore and learn how to use materials like crayons, markers, glue, paint, and paintbrushes. Exploring with art materials increases fine motor control and develops important pre-writing skills. Using playdough or clay also helps children develop strength needed to hold a pencil/crayon or to use a scissors.
Try these ideas to encourage creativity and fun:
- Limit coloring books
- Provide lots of blank paper and writing tools (supervised)
- Encourage children to create whatever they want
- Make art a joyful experience
- Focus on the process of creating (not the final product)
- Ask your child about what s/he made
- Notice and comment on what you see
- Resist the urge to “fix” the creation
If you have any questions, please reach out to our preschool specialist, Charissa Leestma at cleestma@cps.k12.in.us or (219) 663-4330.
Build Fine Motor Strength
Cutting allows a child to build up the little muscles in their hands with the open and close motion, These muscles are so important for writing, painting and doing everyday things like brushing your teeth, eating with utensils and getting dressed.
Develop Eye-Hand Coordination
Cutting requires kids to use their eyes and hands in unison to accomplish the cutting task. Eye-hand coordination is important for catching/throwing balls, eating with a spoon and zipping a coat.
Increase Bilateral Coordination
Cutting encourages your child to use both sides of the body at the same time while each hand is performing its own task. When cutting a shape, a child must hold the paper with one hand wile the other hand is opening and closing the scissors and moving forward to cut. This is essential for tasks like zipping a coat or pants, washing dishes and opening an envelope.
Improve Focus and Attention
Cutting out shapes takes concentration and attention to detail. Both skills are necessary for success not only in the classroom but in everyday life. The ability to sustain focus is essential to being able to read books, listen o instruction and complete many other classroom tasks.
Preschool Tuition & Fees
Thank you for your diligence in paying any outstanding preschool fees! Just as a reminder, current tuition fees are loaded on the 15th of the previous month and due by the 1st of every month. Please check your child's PowerSchool account for balances due. Payment can be made online or at the school office. Failure to pay by the 10th of the current month will result in your student not being able to attend preschool until the balance is paid in full.
Supply Fee - $65 yearly for all students in preschool
Monthly Tuition - $180/3 days per week, $300/5 days per week
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the preschool office at (219) 663-4330.
Greyt Readers @ The Crown Point Library
Join the Crown Point Community Library for Greyt Readers on 01/06/24 at 10:00am. Greyt Readers provides children with the opportunity to read to a retired greyhound in a relaxed environment. The dogs sit calmly and quietly for a story. Children can practice reading out loud without fear of judgement.
Little Learner Series
CPCSC offers a Birth to School Program for children 0-5 years old that reside within the Crown Point Community School Corporation boundaries. We offer a Little Learners series that includes a baby class (0-12 months), toddler class (13-24 months) and little learners class (25-36 months). Imaginarium and Learn Through Play classes are for children ages 0-5. If your child is already attending Bulldog Buddies, you can also be a part of the Birth to School program. All Birth to School classes and events are free. For additional information, please check out our website at www.cps.k12.in.us/bts. If you have specific questions, please contact our Birth to School Coordinator, Jamie Kalk at jkalk@cps.k12.in.us.
- January 3 - Teacher Work Day, No Preschool Classes
- January 4 - Preschool Classes Resume
- January 15 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day, No Preschool Classes
- January 31 - eLearning Day, No Preschool Classes
- February 19 - Presidents Day, No Preschool Classes
- March 12 - eLearning Day, No Preschool Classes
- March 25-29 - Spring Break, No Preschool Classes
General Information
Kristy Elsey, Assistant Director of Elementary Education
Email: kelsey01@cps.k12.in.us
Christine Johnsen, Preschool Treasurer
Email: cjohnsen@cps.k12.in.us
Charissa Leestma, Preschool Specialist
Email: cleestma@cps.k12.in.us
Website: https://preschool.cps.k12.in.us/
Location: 720 Summit Street, Crown Point, IN, USA
Phone: 219-663-4330