Our School Philosophy:

The goal of Pre-School, Inc. is to create a positive, sensitive and responsive environment to help children feel valued and grow with each learning experience. Through developmentally appropriate activities, we foster physical, emotional, social and cognitive growth while promoting a lifetime love for learning.

Our Teacher – Mary Sivula

Ever since my first ski trip out west I have always dreamed of living there one day. I am very excited to fulfill this dream plus pursue my passions for teaching and skiing.

I have spent my whole life in Michigan with the last 35 years living in Petoskey. I was born in Ann Arbor while my father finished dental school. My family moved back to the Upper Peninsula, Ishpeming, where I graduated from high school in 1968. The next 4 years I attended Northern Michigan University where I obtained my teaching degree in elementary education. I taught for 31 years with the majority of my experience being at the East Jordan Public Schools. In 2003 I left teaching to travel and pursue another passion of mine, tennis. I worked at Bay Area and Fitness where I did programming for the tennis members. I was involved in two tennis organizations, Northern Michigan Tennis Association and the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Community Tennis Association. During this time I realized I missed working with children and worked at the Women’s Resource Center as a playgroup facilitator for children birth to four years.

Besides tennis and skiing, I enjoy most outdoor activities such as biking, hiking and snowshoeing. During my quiet time I like to read, watch movies, travel, go to the theater and spend time with friends. With my move to Helena it will afford me being able to spend more time with my brother and sister-in-law who live in California.

I look forward to everything that Helena has to offer.

Our Teacher’s Philosophy

The preschool years, ages 3 to 5, are a special time in the life of young children. During this period, they begin to trust others outside the family. They gain independence and self-control, and learn to take initiative and assert themselves in socially acceptable ways. At the same time, they become keen observers of their world and experiment with their surroundings to find out what happens when they interact with other people and handle and maneuver objects and materials.

My role as a teacher is to create a classroom where children can learn effectively and thrive. I will help them acquire social competence and the skills they need to succeed as a learner while meeting developmental needs along with enhanced learning and teaching in interest areas.

The Curriculum Framework developed for the 2010-2011 school year presents 5 components.

1. How Children Develop and Learn: social/emotional, physical, cognitive and language development.

2. Learning Environment: the structure of the classroom that is safe and secure

3. What Children Learn: literacy, math, science, social studies, the arts and technology and process skills to learn the context

4. Teacher's Role: a guide to the child's learning

5. Family Role: partnership between the school and family environment

These five components will be incorporated by using these interest areas: blocks, dramatic play, toys and games, art, library, discovery, sand and water, music and movement, cooking, computers and outdoors.

Your child will have his/her needs met in a loving and caring environment.