By Brett R. Boggs
Superintendent, Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation

Registration for the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation’s new preschool, The Mentone Kindergarten Readiness Center, will be held at Mentone Elementary School at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 12.

The Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation is committed to expanding preschool opportunities for children 3 to 5 years of age in the Mentone area. The class will be taught by a licensed, experienced teacher and a paraprofessional with an adult to student ratio of no more than one adult to ten students. The Mentone Kindergarten Readiness Center will provide a nurturing environment and high quality preschool experience that will prepare students not only for success in Kindergarten but for the expectations of 21st century learning.

The HighScope Preschool Curriculum has been adopted for the class. It is designed for a multi-age class of 3 to 5 year old students and emphasizes adult-child interaction, a carefully designed learning environment, and a plan-do-review process that strengthens initiative and self-reliance in children. It integrates all aspects of child development by using research validated strategies, including academics, social-emotional, physical, and creative areas.

The Mentone Kindergarten Readiness Center will pursue Paths to Quality certification as a licensed and certified preschool provider. Paths to Quality certification assures parents the preschool is providing a safe learning environment, developmentally appropriate curriculum, and certified teachers and assistants that receive professional development on preschool standards.

Children 3 to 5 years of age will be served by the Mentone Kindergarten Readiness Center. Five-year olds that do not meet the Aug. 1 Kindergarten entrance date may enroll in the class. Three-year olds must be potty trained and three years of age by Aug. 1.

A waiting list for the class is anticipated. Priority will be given to children that will be attending Kindergarten the following year. Priority will also be given to children attending five full days.

The Mentone Kindergarten Readiness Center will follow the Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation’s Master Calendar. Starting time for the class will be 8:45 a.m. with the ending time at 2:45 p.m.

The fee schedule for the Mentone Kindergarten Readiness Center is as follows:

Three Days (half days) $85 per month
Three Days (full days) $125 per month
Four Days (half days) $100 per month
Four Days (full days) $130 per month
Five Days (half days) $110 per month
Five Days (full days) $135 per month

A $50 registration fee is due five days after notification of selection for the class to secure the child’s enrollment for the 2015-2016 school year. Financial assistance, a discount of 25 percent, is available for those who qualify, based on the free and reduced meals application.

Students will have access to the school’s breakfast and lunch programs. Those that qualify for assistance may receive free or reduced priced meals.

Before and after school childcare will be available at Mentone Elementary School through the Kosciusko County YMCA from 6 a.m. until 8:45 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. until 6 p.m. each school day. Preschool children as well as children in grades kindergarten through fifth my participate. Payment for before and after school childcare services is made directly to the provider.

Parents of children 3 to 5 years of age interested in enrolling their child in the Mentone Kindergarten Readiness Center are encouraged to attend the information and registration session at Mentone Elementary School at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 12.

For additional information contact Mentone Elementary School Principal Angela Miller at (574) 353-7465 or [email protected]. Information is also available from the Mentone Elementary School website at http://mentone.tvsc.k12.in.us/ or the Mentone Elementary School Facebook page.