Preschool

mrs. sinelee

Mrs. Angee Sinele

An SPPS alumna and lifelong member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Mrs. Angee Sinele brings deep roots and a wealth of experience to our preschool classroom. After earning her B.S. in Elementary Education from Culver-Stockton College, her teaching journey spanned from Georgia to Missouri before bringing her back home to Nauvoo. Having served SPPS in various roles over the years, she has spent the last six years joyfully nurturing our youngest learners. Known for her kind, loving, and patient heart, Mrs. Sinele considers it a privilege to work with "littles" because they always keep life interesting! Outside the classroom, she and her husband are the proud parents of four sons (all SPPS graduates!) and doting grandparents to three. She loves gardening, boating, and spending time with her family.

 "A person’s a person, no matter how small!”-Dr. Seuss 

"I have to say that this is one of my favorite quotes of all time, and it really sums up my passion for teaching preschool. Preschoolers may be small, but they have so much to offer if you just take the time to really get to know them! When children walk into my classroom, they come from so many different places developmentally, emotionally, and socially. My job is to meet them where they are and help them to learn and grow in the way that best suits them. That can be a challenge, but the key is in building relationships. My goal is to create a safe and fun classroom environment where children can feel comfortable and loved. Play is at the center of everything we do because it is through play that young children learn about their world." -- Mrs. Angee Sinele

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children with snowman

Preschool Options

Preschool has four enrollment options:

Drop off opens at 7:45am, the late bell rings at 8:10. Pickup for Half day is at 11:30.

  1. M-F All day (8:10-3:00)

  2. T/W/R Half Day (8:10-11:30)

  3. T/W/R/ Full Day (8:10-3:00)

ALL ABOUT PRESCHOOL!

 Our Preschool program is for three and four year old students. Preschool has open enrollment, you may enroll your little one whenever they turn three -even if it is in the middle of the school year as long as we have spots available. Our class caps out at 20 students. Preschool is all about learning to be independent, to take care of yourself, to get along with others, and to follow some simple rules. In addition to these skills, we also work on letter recognition and sounds, number recognition, one-to-one correspondence, counting, shapes, patterns, verbal expression, prewriting and scissor skills to name a few. A typical day in preschool looks like this:

  • Arrival (put things in cubbies, sign in, make lunch choice, play at tables)

  • Circle Prayer (announcements, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance with the whole school)

  • Carpet Time (songs, calendar, weather)

  • Religion (short Bible story, game, craft, or song)

  • Centers (free play in classroom centers such as dramatic play, blocks, art, puzzles, writing, library, etc.) We spend at least an hour of the morning playing at centers. I truly believe in play-based learning. “Play” is a preschooler’s “job.” I provide them with fun educational tools to help them learn. Toys and manipulatives are changed often to go along with different themes and interests. I often use this time to work one-on-one or in small groups with children also.

  • Snack time

  • Recess (we spend 25-30 minutes outside on the playground or in the gym depending on the weather to promote gross motor development)

  • Carpet time (question of the day, story, games, songs)

  • Half day preschoolers leave at 11:30

  • Lunch and recess

  • Rest time (preschoolers lie quietly on rest mats for 30-40 minutes; if they fall asleep, I will let them sleep longer)

  • Afternoon work and activities (varies from day to day)

    • Literacy-In the afternoon, I use a literacy program called “Happily Ever After” that teaches a lot of prereading, alphabet and Kindergarten readiness skills. This is especially geared for preschoolers that are entering K the following year.

    • Math-We work on numbers by using math manipulatives and games

    • Writing-We practice tracing and writing numbers and letters

  • Specials (we have P.E. and Music each two days a week; we have art on Fridays)

  • Circle Prayer (we end our day with the whole school for announcements and prayer)