Cassville R-IV is Committed to Early Childhood Education
Kinder Academy program to begin during 2017-18 school year
Cassville R-IV School District is committed to early childhood education and has added a new program at Eunice Thomas Elementary that will begin during the 2017-18 school year. Kinder Academy is a transitional kindergarten class that will serve as the first year of a two-year kindergarten experience for some of Cassville’s youngest wildcats.
After spending over two years researching and studying similar programs in both the Branson and Bolivar areas, Cassville Schools will be the first school in the Big 8 Conference to offer this service to its students.
“This is an important decision that will drive our educational goals now and into the future,” states Dr. Richard Asbill, Cassville R-IV Schools Superintendent. “After evaluating other local programs and evaluating the data, student needs, and community benefits carefully, the Board of Education, administration, and our faculty feel this will be a beneficial service for our youngest learners, allowing them the proper time to learn, grow and develop, ultimately leading to a successful educational path.”
The full-day course will offer both breakfast and lunch to students. Students will also expand their education outside of the traditional classroom by participating in daily special class curriculum such as music, art, library, technology and physical education.
Kinder Academy will accommodate 15 students and has reached capacity for the 2017-18 school year. Students were selected for the program after completing a screening process. The District’s hope will be growth and expansion as the program goals are met.
“According to Missouri state law, at five years of age a child must be properly placed within a classroom,” said Mrs. Catherine Weaver, Eunice Thomas Elementary Principal. “In the past, this law has created somewhat of a challenge for many families in our community. However, students in Kinder Academy will be gifted with an extra year for developing not only academic skills, but fine and gross motor skill development, social awareness skills, core strength and socio/emotional skill development.”
Kinder Academy’s curriculum will be aligned with the Missouri Learning Standards between pre-kindergarten and kindergarten.
The course will be taught by Mrs. Michelle Ramaeker. Ramaeker has over 14 years of experience in education and ten years’ experience teaching kindergarten at Cassville Primary.
“I’m honored to have the opportunity to play a role in the success of our students in the new Kinder Academy program,” said Ramaeker. “I am looking forward to greeting my students the first day of school. It is a privilege to teach this course and I can’t wait to get started!”
“Michelle has a unique skill set that we know our Kinder Academy students will benefit from,” said Weaver. “We believe she is the right fit to lead this class.”
“While this school year is the inaugural year for this program,” stated Dr. Asbill, “we look forward to many years of success within Kinder Academy and at Eunice Thomas Elementary. We are committed to providing the best possible learning environment for our students and believe this is a step in the right direction."