Preschool - Mrs. Gioconda Hawkins

​About Mrs. Hawkins
Retired from the LAUSD  where she worked as a teacher, Master Teacher,  Mentor teacher, Literacy Coach, and Content Expert for the District Reading Program. She also worked as an instructor for the California Reading Development Center where she delivered the Professional Development Reading Institutes. She is part of the Early Childhood Advisory Board for the LA Archdiocese and conducted workshops in Early Childhood Catechesis. She has also presented at the Religious Education Congress in Anaheim, California.
She is the mother of two wonderful daughters and grandmother to eight lively boys ages 12 to 9 months. She loves working with young children and gets pleasure and joy from their individuality, uniqueness, and originality.
About Our “Little Stars” Preschool
The three-year-olds meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:35-12:30;
​the four-year-old class meets on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:35-12:30.

Program Overview
It is an age-appropriate, developmental program that closely follows nationally recognized guidelines set by the National Association for the Development of Young Children. The Catholic faith is integrated into the program whenever possible. Our overall goal is to provide a solid foundation for all aspects to prepare the child for a great kindergarten experience – spiritually, socially, and intellectually.
Curriculum
A mixture of Developmental and Academic curriculum is carefully planned in the preschool classrooms, using the best available knowledge of child growth and development. Children learn best when actively participating in manipulating materials, experimenting, exploring, and initiating their own activities. Children will build their own self-esteem and develop social skills while they are learning how to think and how to learn. Helping the child to become an “active” thinker leads to increased understanding and mental growth. Each child is at a different level and has their own interests. These skills grow in this positive environment. Working directly with the Kindergarten teacher, Kindergarten readiness is our goal.
  • Religion: Preschool children are very open to discovering God and His loving presence in every aspect of their lives. The “Little Saints” program will introduce preschoolers to the liturgical year and other age-appropriate Catholic teachings and traditions. Visits to the church will be scheduled.
  • Language arts: Your child’s interest in the spoken and written language will be maximized through daily activities including stories, finger plays, and use of academic and developmental curriculum. Alphabet recognition, letter sounds, and beginning reading skills are introduced. In addition, Open Court Curriculum is taught to the four year old class.
  • Pre-math and science readiness: Preschoolers will experience the meaning of numbers, patterns, and graphs during circle time, center activities, and math activities. Nursury Rhyme Science Projects will be introduced to the four year old class.
  • Arts and crafts: Open-ended art will allow children to explore with tools and materials in a variety of ways.
  • Music: Children will have the opportunity to dance, practice new songs, and learn about rhythm. They will play simple instruments.
  • Large and small motor skills: Daily group activities, outdoor activities, and play-time allow for large and small motor growth. Our continuously changing manipulatives table greatly promotes small motor growth.
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The mission of Our Lady Star of the Sea School is to provide an academically excellent, Christ-centered education that reinforces Catholic values and traditions, fosters respect for self and others, and encourages the continual spiritual, intellectual, creative, physical, social, and emotional growth of all.
school@starofthesea.net    |    1516 Fifth Street, Bremerton, WA 98337     |     360-373-5162