Since 1988, St. Mark’s Preschool has served as a model program in the Dalton Community. The preschool is a place where each child is recognized and appreciated for his/her individuality. We are the only preschool in Dalton whose mission is to provide “cost-effective, inclusive preschool education and out-reach” – providing an opportunity for special needs children and typical children to learn side-by-side. Children who are nurtured in this loving, caring environment learn at an early age to accept and appreciate each other’s strengths and weaknesses and to celebrate that which makes each child unique and special. The benefits to all the children are evident – the children learn compassion and patience and are taught to look beyond physical and mental differences. They all develop friendships and values that last a lifetime.
St. Mark’s Preschool, housed on the ground floor of the church, has 3 small classrooms with a maximum of 12 children in each class – 4 of those with special needs. There is one class for each age group ( 2, 3, and 4 year olds). The classes meet from 8:50-11:45 every day during the regular school year. The “fours” meet M-F, the “threes” meet M, W, and F and the “two’s“ meet T and Th. Each class is staffed with a teacher and two paraprofessionals. Our teachers are all experienced with young children, some with degrees in Early Childhood and/or Special Education. The staff strives to meet the needs of each child- ultimately preparing the children for the transition to their next learning environment.
The curriculum is a developmentally based which targets the needs of all students. We also offer enrichment series which bring in members of the community to share their talents. This year we have been able to offer the students creative movement, yoga, music, outdoor classroom experiences and Spanish.
The preschool has two fundraisers every year to help support student scholarships and operating expenses-
The Chili Supper in the fall and Peter’s Free Wheelin 5K in the spring. We are also very fortunate to receive money from the Mohawk Carpet Foundation and The Roman Open golf tournament.
If additional information is desired, please contact Laura Bock at laura.bock@stmarksdalton.org.
St. Mark’s Preschool, housed on the ground floor of the church, has 3 small classrooms with a maximum of 12 children in each class – 4 of those with special needs. There is one class for each age group ( 2, 3, and 4 year olds). The classes meet from 8:50-11:45 every day during the regular school year. The “fours” meet M-F, the “threes” meet M, W, and F and the “two’s“ meet T and Th. Each class is staffed with a teacher and two paraprofessionals. Our teachers are all experienced with young children, some with degrees in Early Childhood and/or Special Education. The staff strives to meet the needs of each child- ultimately preparing the children for the transition to their next learning environment.
The curriculum is a developmentally based which targets the needs of all students. We also offer enrichment series which bring in members of the community to share their talents. This year we have been able to offer the students creative movement, yoga, music, outdoor classroom experiences and Spanish.
The preschool has two fundraisers every year to help support student scholarships and operating expenses-
The Chili Supper in the fall and Peter’s Free Wheelin 5K in the spring. We are also very fortunate to receive money from the Mohawk Carpet Foundation and The Roman Open golf tournament.
If additional information is desired, please contact Laura Bock at laura.bock@stmarksdalton.org.
Meet Our Teachers
From Left: Peyton Hefner and Meridith Ellington |
From Left: Paige Runyon,
Christi Martin and Whitney Anderson |