Story posted Thursday, October 29, 2009
Salt Creek Preschool Makes Room For Quality Learning Time
By DENISE FLEISCHER Lifestyle Editor
Salt Creek Park District Preschool is one of the "best kept secrets" in Palatine, according to Laura Banik, the preschool's director.
Located at 530 S. Williams Ave. in Palatine, near Twin Lakes Recreational Area, the school currently serves 16 students in the 3-year-old program and 12 in the 4-year-old. Students reside in Rolling Meadows, Arlington Hts. and Palatine.
Banik has been director for 18 years and teaches the Tuesday/Thursday morning class. She is joined by Glenda Kosulic, Gail Walker and Cindy Fracassi.
"We have a standard curriculum as far as preparing them for Kindergarten," said Banik, who is also the recreation supervisor at Salt Creek Park District. "We do fine motor skills, gross motor skills, letter recognition and incorporate math and science skills."
There are weekly themes and art projects. Banik stated that teachers are interested in the process of being creative, not the "final result".
"Our best selling point is that our classes are usually an average of 10 students, two teachers in every class and one-on-one is incredible," she said.
Students also take two field trips, one in October to Goebbert's Pumpkin Farm in South Barrington.
The preschoolers participate in many hands-on science projects and use the multi-purpose room for physical education.
Specialty days include Beach Day where the heat is turned up in the classrooms so students can wear their bathing suits. They play with beach balls and eat fruit kabobs.
Monthly cooking projects have included making applesauce and green eggs and ham.There's also grocery shopping day. The room is stocked with empty boxes and the kids can be shoppers, cashiers or stockers. They learn about credit cards and talk about money.
Guests also make their appearances. Parents sign up to read to the children and even a firefighter dad talks about how to properly "stop, drop and roll".
Speak Out!
Comments are edited first by Journal staff before running in print and appearing online.