Dear Friends:

For nearly 50 years, Gastonia's First Presbyterian Church has offered developmentally appropriate Christian Early Childhood Education for area children as an outreach ministry, extending the hand of God to our community. We feel a child's growth in the Christian faith is best nurtured by loving adults who are themselves persons of faith.

Presbyterian Weekday School (PWS) offered preschool, pre-K and kindergarten programs serving children between the ages two through six. PWS is dedicated to top quality care and early childhood education using research based practices.

Our staff adheres to the standards of the National Accreditation Commision and uses the Creative Curriculum and North Carolina Standard Course of Study. Teachers use their understanding of child development to create a warm learning environment an dplan activities that meet each child at their current level of cognitive, language, physical, spiritual and social development.

We desire to:

• provide high quality learning in a safe and nurturing Christian environment
• offer a developmentally appropriate research based curriculum
• create a environment that encourages a lifelong pleasure ot learning.

As you move through our information, you will become acquainted with many aspects of our school, however; there's so much more to see and tell! Please accept our invitation to visit PWS for a personal tour!

We'd love to tell you more about PWS. By contacting the school office, we can schedule a time that would be convenient for you to visit. Nothing would please us more than to hear from you!

The PWS Staff Team

To register your child, return completed enrollment form plus the registration fee (payable by check to First Presbyterian Church PWS) to PWS at either:

• PWS Office
• First Presbyterian Church Reception Desk
• U. S. Mail

Please note enrollment forms are considered in the order received.

Priority Registration begins the first Monday in February. Preference is given in the following order:

• Children currently enrolled in PWS or Mother's Morning Out
• Siblings of currently enrolled and First Presbyterian Church members not currently enrolled

Public Registration begins the third Monday in February.

Classes will be assigned with consideration to desired program, diversity, age of child and balance of gender.

Please note that class offerings are subject to change based on enrollment at registration.

Your child will be placed in the class requested as long as space is available and composition is workable. In order to best serve the students, the Director will determine the composition of each and class and will make class assignments. If your child is not placed in the "first choice" or "second choice" indicated on the registration form, you will be contacted by the Director of make placement in a suitable alternative.

A "wait list" will be created for each class that is filled to capacity. You may be included on the wait list at no charge. Names are placed on the wait list in the order received. Each family will be telephoned when an opening occurs in the desired program in the order the family's name appears on the list.

Presbyterian Weekday School is an accredited program by National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs.

PWS Enrollment Form
PWS Health Certificate
PWS Inclusion Policy

The goals of our program are accomplished by offering a well-rounded and carefully planned curriculum of learning experiences through music, creative art, dramatic play, science and math concepts, literacy, block building, manipulative and outdoor play supervices by highly trained and experienced staff.

Arrival

• 8:30a.m.

Daily Activities

• The daily activities consist of music, prayer, small group work, snack time, rest period, outdoor play, games, dramatic play, group discussions, story time, sharing, group activities, reading-writing and math.

Chapel

• An age appropriate bi-monthly worship experience.

Physical Education

• Development of gross and fine motor skills to promote coordination and balance
• Nutrition education and health body imagine incorporated
• Class is held weekly.

Music

• Basic muscial concepts are introduced to the children using songs, rhymes, musical instruments and dance.
• Class is held weekly.

Dismissal

• 11:45a.m. - two-year-old
• Noon - ages three and four
• 12:30p.m. - kindergarten

Parent involvement is vital to the continued success of our program. It is expected that each family with enrolled children plan to contribute five volunteer hours annually. PWS has an organized Parent Committee. You will have the opportunity to join the committee and contribute financially or by serving on the board, committees or as a volunteer. The Parent Committee plans exciting events for the children, fund-raising and opportunities to honor the staff. Each class has assigned Room Parents who help coordinate these efforts at the class level. Thank you in advance to your enthusiastic support. Please let us know if you have suggestions or concerns.

The PWS Consignment Sales are held in the Spring and Fall. All aspects of the sale are managed by parent volunteers who have created a well organized and fun event while supporting the financial needs of the school. After several sale seasons it has grown to be the most popular consignment sale in the area and serves as a ministry to our consignors and the community. We accept infancet and children clothing, gear, toys, and maternity.

Our consignors receive 70% of the procedes from the sale of their items and have the option to donate unsold items to needy family and local non-profit community agencies at the event conclusion. We are delighted to offer an event that serves the community, our families and our school and look forward to your participation as a volunteer, consignor or shopper!

Please e-mail questions about our spring and fall consignment sales to our designated parent volunteer.