{"id":14528,"date":"2025-11-18T14:12:45","date_gmt":"2025-11-18T19:12:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/?p=14528"},"modified":"2025-11-18T14:12:45","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T19:12:45","slug":"parents-join-pre-k-fun-and-learning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/parents-join-pre-k-fun-and-learning\/","title":{"rendered":"Parents join pre-k fun and learning"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Joseph Hart read the book \u201cWe Don\u2019t Eat Our Classmates\u201d to his son Luka Hartshorn during a visit as part of a \u201cClassroom in Action\u201d event in the pre-K class at Ocean Lakes Elementary. Luka\u2019s classmate Eian Simmons enjoyed the book, too.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By Cindy Butler Focke<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Lots of little eyes lit up recently as Ocean Lakes Elementary prekindergarten students realized some special visitors were in the classroom.<\/p>\n

Some were speechless, while others yelled, \u201cMommy!\u201d \u201cDaddy!\u201d<\/p>\n

One youngster asked, \u201cWhy are you here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Families were invited to observe, engage and learn alongside their children during the \u201cClassroom in Action\u201d event, hosted by the VBCPS Title 1\/Pre-K program office.<\/p>\n

Laura Silverman is director of Title 1 Programs.<\/p>\n

\u201cThrough Classroom in Action, our staff members deepen their connection with families while helping reinforce learning at home,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
VBCPS family engagement specialist Brittany Peeples had some fun with Ocean Lakes Elementary pre-K student Kam Olphert on \u201cClassroom in Action\u201d day Nov. 7. They discussed how \u201cG\u201d is the first letter in the words gorilla, goat and guitar.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Family engagement specialists Brittany Peeples and Tonya Evans orchestrated the special events in October and November at each of the 36 beach public schools with pre-K programs.<\/p>\n

Peeples spoke to the Ocean Lakes Elementary family members before they joined their children in the classroom.<\/p>\n

She said parents will see their children being more independent, understanding rules and routings, using new social skills and sharing with others.<\/p>\n

Parents were reminded, \u201cYou are your child\u2019s first teacher.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want you to get into their world and engage,\u201d Peeples said. \u201cYou can see what they are learning and replicate at home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Parents headed to one of the two pre-K classes and quickly became immersed in fun learning activities with their child at a variety of stations throughout the classrooms.<\/p>\n

Cora Wright was busy making a pie out of dry oatmeal at the \u201cpie-making\u201d station.\u00a0 Her mother Courtney said Cora enjoys school.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Pre-K families at Ocean Lakes Elementary participated in a \u201cClassroom in Action\u201d event Nov. 7. They visited their children\u2019s classrooms and engaged in a variety of activity stations. From left, Brayden Johnston, his mother Ashley, Courtney Wright and daughter Cora, made pretend apple pies at the \u201cpie-making\u201d station.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cShe is making great progress.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wright said her daughter\u2019s speech and social skills have improved thanks to interactions with peers.<\/p>\n

Nick and Aaliyah Mizal\u2019s daughter Alaina served up some pizza in the \u201cpretend play\u201d area.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeeing her personality in the classroom is super cool,\u201d Aaliyah Mizal said. Both parents agreed Alaina\u2019s speech has improved since school began.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe has become better at explaining things and describing her feelings,\u201d her dad added.<\/p>\n

Olena Wells put on plastic gloves and headed to the classroom\u2019s STEM center, where science, technology, engineering and math activities rotate regularly.<\/p>\n

The 5-year-old pretended to clean a beaver skull, one of several skeletons on display.<\/p>\n

Each family received the book \u201cWe Don\u2019t Eat Our Classmates,\u201d by Ryan T. Higgins. Joseph Hart read it to his 4-year-old son, Luke Hartshorn, in the library area.<\/p>\n

The story is about Penelope Rex, a dinosaur who first wants to eat her classmates, but instead learns how to be their friend.<\/p>\n

\u201cI liked it,\u201d Luke said with a smile.<\/p>\n

His mother Jessica Rose said Luke has grown socially and emotionally in the pre-K program. He has learned to share and how to resolve conflict appropriately, she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd he will now sit and listen to a story,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Ocean Lakes Elementary pre-K teacher Angie Hoggan helped a student with some iPad activities at the technology station during the school\u2019s \u201cClassroom in Action\u201d event for families.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ocean Lakes Elementary pre-K classes are taught by Angie Hoggan and Nina Fourvour, plus assistants Gella McConomy and Destini Cheek, respectively. Special education teacher Helen Quartarone rotates between the two classrooms.<\/p>\n

Hoggan said the classroom stations vary daily.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all about choice,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Forvour agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cEach station has learning objectives,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

There is limited space at each station and sometimes students must wait or choose another one.<\/p>\n

\u201cDelayed gratification is a big thing,\u201d Forvour said. \u201cThey are not used to waiting and sharing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Students learn to say, \u201cI\u2019m next,\u201d she noted.<\/p>\n

They learn patience, communication skills and more.<\/p>\n

Ocean Lakes Elementary principal Lori Gross applauded the pre-K curriculum and the \u201camazing educators.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gross said children in the program have improved their communication, collaboration and problem-solving skills. They\u2019ve also become more independent and self-confident, she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am a believer in early intervention,\u201d Gross said. \u201cI have seen the results.\u201d<\/p>\n

Resources<\/u>:<\/em><\/p>\n