Stephen F. Austin Primary Pre-Kindergarten
Previously Cathelene Thomas Elementary
By Charles Thompson
It’s time for Cathelene Thomas Elementary to brag about our pre-kindergarten classes. We have received the Texas Readiness Certification. This program is an initiative of Governor Perry. He appointed a group of educator’s from the University of Texas Health Science at Houston to develop and help track the accountability of teachers and students. The Texas State Center for Early Childhood Development certifies that the Slaton I. S. D. early education meets all requirements of the Texas School Readiness Certification system. Students who complete this program move on with the pre-reading and social skills necessary to be successful throughout their education. Our program has been given this honor starting in 2007 with Mrs. Pinkerton’s class receiving the award. In 2008, Mrs. LaFon and Mrs. Pinkerton classes received the recognition. Mrs. LaFon, Mrs. Milligan and Mrs. Pinkerton received the award in 2009. Information about this program can be found at www.teambeat@uth.tmc.edu. Part of the reason that our pre-k classes are so successful is that we have three fabulous teaching assistants. Tammy Phenix, Tiffani Powell and Sylvia Torres complete our program.
We want to welcome our new Pre-K teacher to Cathelene Thomas Elementary, Mrs. Sylvia Hernandez. She is a graduate of Wayland Baptist University and Crosbyton High School. Mr. Hernandez works with the Transportation Security Administration at Lubbock International Airport. She has a daughter who is a sophomore at Texas Tech. Mrs. Hernandez is a welcomed addition and has allowed us to open a fourth pre-k classroom. We are so glad to have her on board and wish her well this school year.
Our classes are privileged to take field trips throughout the year to enrich the lives of the students and expand on the curriculum. In October we went to a pumpkin patch in Shallowater. In February we attended the Stephen Fite concert. These two trips are our favorites.
The At’l Do Farms or corn maze is an annual event for our classes. This year we enjoyed riding the cow train through the large corn maze. The teaching assistants were good sports and even hopped in to monitor the children. The teacher’s walked along beside and the children loved it. Each class enjoyed a hay ride and picking a child-sized pumpkin. A highlight of the trip is viewing real farm animals like: sheep, pigs, chickens, turkeys and goats. The farm has a 3 ft. high maze that is just the right size for us and our parents pack lunches to gobble in the picnic areas. It is always a big day for students and parents alike.
Yee-Haw! Cotton-eyed Joe! Dosie-doe and away we go! Pre-K also has the privilege to attend the Stephen Fite concert every year . Giddy-Up & Learn was the name of this year’s tour and it was a rootin’- tootin’ good time. The students had a fun experience dressing up in their cowboy attire for the concert. The concert is an interactive celebration of music and learning. Geared for Pre-K students, Stephen combines a solid hour of music and movement with generous helpings of rhythm, repetition and rhyme to create a festive buffet of entertainment and fun. Stephen's presentations are music-filled and motivational, but most of all, informative and full of ideas educators can use immediately in their classroom. Using his homemade big books, children's literature and props, Stephen brings to teachers a renewed enthusiasm for using music to span their curriculum. For children, the concert experience is exciting and 
motivating as they become active participants from the opening song. For teachers, it is both relaxing and inspirational as they sit back (if they can stay in their seat) and enjoy the children's individual performances. We love that this concert offers our Pre-K the chance to move, dance, sing, learn and have gobs of fun!
Each year parents have the opportunity to enroll their 4 year old student in our program in the month of May. The students for next year must be 4 by September 1, 2010. If you need more information about the program or the enrollment times please contact the school office. We appreciate the chance to work with each and every student and parents.
