Jane Rothman wants her pre-kindergarten students to learn about baby Jesus around Christmas and hear the resurrection story at Easter. Children pray at snack time and in other spots throughout the day at Charleston Baptist Temple.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Jane Rothman wants her pre-kindergarten students to learn about baby Jesus around Christmas and hear the resurrection story at Easter. Children pray at snack time and in other spots throughout the day at Charleston Baptist Temple.
At First Presbyterian Church in Charleston, Ginna Taylor knows that faith-based lessons in pre-kindergarten classes are strictly off-limits, as the preschool is aligned with the West Virginia Pre-K program.
The push for universal pre-kindergarten poses new challenges for employees at both faith-based preschool centers and the county school systems that oversee the programs.
"This is public education and we clearly define that there is a separation," said Barbara Redman, West Virginia Pre-K director for Kanawha County schools.
Rothman and others at The New Beginnings Preschool went to a planning meeting and listened to what the West Virginia Pre-K folks had to say.
The state-funded program has a very specific and non-religious curriculum, Redman said.
"We actually looked into it and decided we wanted to keep our faith-based aspects," Rothman said. "There's a place for everything.
"We just like the fact that we can maintain our prayer," she said.
Taylor, director of the church's child-care center on Leon Sullivan Way, said it's easier for her instructors to keep Bible study out of the curriculum for children between the ages of 1 and 4.
"It's not so much of a stretch that it's hard to do," she said.
The contract First Presbyterian has with Redman's office also spells out that the curriculum in pre-kindergarten classes - with mostly 4-year-olds - will not be faith-based.
The state helps subsidize private pre-kindergarten programs that partner with West Virginia Pre-K. The goal is to offer free, universal pre-kindergarten by 2012 for all 4-year-olds and those 3-year-olds with special needs.
Redman says the rule is that any religious doctrine would not be taught during the time for pre-kindergarten instruction.
"We're not constantly monitoring," Redman said, but added, "If I would ever receive a complaint from a parent, we would address that, of course."
One local church has a 30-minute period for "chapel" that follows pre-kindergarten classes. Redman said whether a child attends that religious service is between the parent and church officials.
Pre-kindergarten classes at New Beginnings offer phonics, reading, math readiness and other subjects, Rothman said. In language arts, students learn word exercises, poems, letter recognition, alphabet order and blending words.
Children often start with a non-denominational Bible lesson and then incorporate that into science, social studies, reading, music and other subjects.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Jane Rothman wants her pre-kindergarten students to learn about baby Jesus around Christmas and hear the resurrection story at Easter. Children pray at snack time and in other spots throughout the day at Charleston Baptist Temple.
At First Presbyterian Church in Charleston, Ginna Taylor knows that faith-based lessons in pre-kindergarten classes are strictly off-limits, as the preschool is aligned with the West Virginia Pre-K program.
The push for universal pre-kindergarten poses new challenges for employees at both faith-based preschool centers and the county school systems that oversee the programs.
"This is public education and we clearly define that there is a separation," said Barbara Redman, West Virginia Pre-K director for Kanawha County schools.
Rothman and others at The New Beginnings Preschool went to a planning meeting and listened to what the West Virginia Pre-K folks had to say.
The state-funded program has a very specific and non-religious curriculum, Redman said.
"We actually looked into it and decided we wanted to keep our faith-based aspects," Rothman said. "There's a place for everything.
"We just like the fact that we can maintain our prayer," she said.
Taylor, director of the church's child-care center on Leon Sullivan Way, said it's easier for her instructors to keep Bible study out of the curriculum for children between the ages of 1 and 4.
"It's not so much of a stretch that it's hard to do," she said.
The contract First Presbyterian has with Redman's office also spells out that the curriculum in pre-kindergarten classes - with mostly 4-year-olds - will not be faith-based.
The state helps subsidize private pre-kindergarten programs that partner with West Virginia Pre-K. The goal is to offer free, universal pre-kindergarten by 2012 for all 4-year-olds and those 3-year-olds with special needs.
Redman says the rule is that any religious doctrine would not be taught during the time for pre-kindergarten instruction.
"We're not constantly monitoring," Redman said, but added, "If I would ever receive a complaint from a parent, we would address that, of course."
One local church has a 30-minute period for "chapel" that follows pre-kindergarten classes. Redman said whether a child attends that religious service is between the parent and church officials.
Pre-kindergarten classes at New Beginnings offer phonics, reading, math readiness and other subjects, Rothman said. In language arts, students learn word exercises, poems, letter recognition, alphabet order and blending words.
Children often start with a non-denominational Bible lesson and then incorporate that into science, social studies, reading, music and other subjects.
Rothman described the lessons as academic and activity-centered. A CSX employee might discuss safety around railroad tracks with children, who also learn about West Virginia wilderness and aquatic life.
"Our program has a lot of enticing, colorful visuals that complement each lesson," she said. "We kind of try to teach the children how to think instead of what to think. Even though it's playtime for them, they're also learning."
The new pre-kindergarten may also pose obstacles to some faith-based, child-care instructors who need to be certified. Still, some problems may not begin to surface for at least a year.
Redman said child-care instructors with a two-year associate's degree in early childhood education are allowed to teach pre-kindergarten on a provisional basis for one year.
Kanawha County will offer those instructors the same continued training, worth credit, as the county school employees.
The minimum certification is set by the state Department of Education. The state Department of Health and Human Resources must license child-care centers.
To gain full certification, instructors must have a bachelor's degree, an understanding of child development issues and experience teaching preschool.
Rothman was not detracted from a partnership with West Virginia Pre-K because she worried she'd have enough certified teachers.
"If we were going to go that route, it really wouldn't have been a problem, per se," Rothman said.
Some of the instructors at New Beginnings have bachelor and associate degrees, she said.
Taylor actually has one more certified pre-kindergarten teacher than she needs.
"I've got one in the wings, which is just gravy for me," she said. "It's not easy to find a certified teacher."
She works closely with students and graduates at West Virginia State University. The school now offers an elementary education degree with an endorsement in pre-kindergarten, Taylor said.
She imagines some other area day care centers might have a more difficult time.
"Really, certified teachers are not crawling out of the woodwork," she said.
For now, Kanawha County Schools has at least 19 partnership sites for pre-kindergarten. Less than half are at churches. This fall, pre-kindergarten will be available at 28 county elementary schools. Children who reach age 4 by Sept. 1 are eligible.
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Posted By: J(7:33pm 07-28-2008)
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School is no place for practicing or preaching any religion. If they want to spend time teaching about the Bible and other things that have no bearing on a solid education, then stop accepting public funding and solicit donations (or charge tuition). It's cut and dry - why are they complaining?
Posted By: Green Eyes(10:06pm 07-26-2008)
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It is unconscionable that a Christian pre-school that is aligned with West Virginia State standards may possibly be hindered in aligning itself with the healthy morals, ethics, and highest of principles that are found through prayer and pursuing God. I am a teacher in a gang-riddled school district with 4th graders who come to school with knives and bullets. While I understand that nothing must take away from the academic environment and the standards set therein, I FURTHER UNDERSTAND that prayer in no way hampers learning. In fact, ladies and gentlemen, it can only advance it. The two concepts, West Virginia State Standards and God's Holy Standards are most decidedly NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSLIVE. The more prayer the better. BRING IT ON.
Posted By: WV'ian(9:00am 07-26-2008)
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This is such a shame to know that we live in the bible belt and we can't use Jesus' name to little ones in public places. When I was in 1st grade our principle always had prayer and saluted the flag before we could start class and that help build my charactor and the purpose for life. THIS is what is happening to our young people they need that sound start in life and they are not getting it in public school programs.
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