www.SanTanSun.com
Youth
June 20 - July 3, 2009 49
Carebear from Page 39
The 2009-10 school year begins July 27 and ends If parents are not sure whether their child is socially
May 21, 2010. and academically mature enough for kindergarten,
“We are offering full-day classes starting next year Kindercademy’s goal is to prepare them to enter
because that slow of a [pace] works great for the kids’ the following year. It will be held at Riggs and Haley
learning curve at this age,” says Tamela Casey-Devore, elementary schools and Hamilton High School.
director of Carebear Preschool Fulton Ranch. Casey-Devore says parents should consider the
Casey-Devore says the program is taught by certifi ed full-day option at Carebear’s Fulton Ranch location,
teachers and is highly academic with a curriculum where she says the class-to-teacher ratio is smaller
comparable to public school kindergarten programs. and the entire process is a bit less intimidating for
The pre-K classes begin with letters and sounds, and children.
build upon that the reading, writing, math, science, Carrie Edwards, owner of Carebear Preschool, says
social studies and journaling. By the time the program the pre-K program will put kids at the top of their class
is over, every child is able to read at least one book.
STSN photo
when they do enter kindergarten.
Casey-Devore believes they will be more than ready
PLAYTIME: Children attending Carebear Preschool can cool off in
“We hope people will make the right decision for
for kindergarten. a playground water feature. their child and not push them,” Edwards says.
Casey-Devore says there should be no reason to For more information on Carebear Preschool’s
rush a child into kindergarten. She says there are
School District developed an early entrance exam for
full-day pre-K class, call the Fulton Ranch location at
many things that might hold a child back – not
children who do not meet the cutoff and listed some
480-802-0058 or visit www.carebearpreschool.com.
just their academic level, but their social skills and
requirements at www.cusdcommunity.com.
For more on Chandler Unifi ed School District’s
maturity level as well.
The social and emotional skills include following
Kindercademy, visit www.cusdcommunity.com.
“With some of the younger kids who go into
instructions and speaking understandably; talking
kindergarten, you don’t see the effect it has until they
in complete sentences and knowing personal
Jen Bondeson is an Arizona native and a writer of all trades.
start to get into fi rst and second grade, and when they
information. Academically, a child must have writing
Reach her at JenB@SanTanSun.com.
are graduating high school at 17,” she says.
skills, reading comprehension skills and basic number
To help make the decision, Chandler Unifi ed
and letter knowledge.
Youth camps from Page 39
TRC programs
Instructors teach campers about
Last month, the TRC staff introduced
Arizona’s night sky and unique wildlife
a new program called “Family Night at
through games, hikes and crafts. The
Tumbleweed” that happens from 5:30 to
fi rst day of Animal Camp features a live
7 p.m. every Wednesday. The program
demonstration by staff of the Phoenix Zoo,
offers a different activity each week and
and the last day of Space Camp includes
costs $2 for children and $3 for teens.
an indoor planetarium by Stargazing for
The TRC Game Pod and Hay Loft
Everyone.
feature interactive video games for youth
The camp is $72 and registration is
and teens during the extended summer
open at www.chandleraz.gov/registration.
drop-in hours of noon to 8 p.m., Monday-
Friday. The fee is $2 for those ages 8 to 12
Summer puppet shows
and $3 for ages 13 to 17.
TRC and EEC partnered with The Great
Have a child with a summer birthday?
Arizona Puppet Theater to host several
The TRC birthday party program offers
puppet shows for children and their
parents the convenience of not having
Submitted photo
parent or guardian. Performances cost
to host a gathering and clean up after it.
PUPPETS RETURN: The Great Arizona Puppet Theater returns to the Environmental Education
$6 per child and registration is required
Center with a puppet show like last summer’s “Hotel Saguaro.”
Several themes are available: Sportacular
at www.chandleraz.gov/registration. For
Fun, Bounce Adventures, Creative Arts
more information, call 480-782-2900.
Admission is $2 per child or free for pass holders.
Delight and The Main Event. The parties are 90
Liam O’Mahony is an information specialist with
For more information, call 480-782-2900 or visit
minutes with invitations, decorations, food and a
the City of Chandler Community Services Department.
www.chandleraz.gov/tumbleweed.
host and designed for about 10 children, although a
He can be reached at liam.o’mahony@chandleraz.gov.
maximum of 20 children can be accommodated. Call
EEC nature programs
480-782-2909 for availability.
The Environmental Education Center (EEC) offers
For parents with children ages 5 and younger, the
two nature camps, Animal Camp July 13-16 and Space
Tumble Tots indoor playground at the TRC is open
Camp July 20-23, for 7- to 13-year-olds from 8:30 to
from 9 a.m. to noon every Tuesday and Thursday.
11:30 a.m.
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