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Special Programs

In addition to our classroom activities, we offer several special enrichment programs on a weekly or monthly basis.

Art

Children of all ages enjoy a special art class each week. These classes take place in our art room and tk.

Orff Music

Rooms 3, 4, and 5 meet each week with our Orff Music instructor for music class. The <Orff Schulwerk> approach to teaching and learning music weaves together strands of speech and poetry, movement and dance, drama and song, improvisation and playing musical instruments. Orff is based on what young children naturally like to do: sing, chant rhymes, dance, clap, feel the beat, and play.

Trapeze Arts

Children in Rooms 3, 4, and 5 also attend Trapeze Arts class on a rotating schedule. <Trapeze Arts> is a circus-based gymnastics troupe based in Oakland, Calif. Instructors teach children balance and tumbling and encourage the development of gross-motor functions. Activities depend on cooperation and collaboration and help to build self-esteem.

Summer Camp

Our summer schedule allows our children to spend more time enjoying some of their favorite activities in more depth. Week-long sessions include Trapeze Arts, Orff Music, Tie-dye, Magic, Cooking, Bubbles, and the annual painting of our playground panels.

Other Special Events

Throughout the school year, we also bring in special performers who entertain the children with singing, magic, musical instruments, dancing, and more. We try to schedule these performances at least once a month. All parents and children at the school are invited to attend special events.

Staff

All Phoebe A. Hearst Preschool staff members have an educational background and experience in early childhood education. All staff members are also CPR and First Aid Certified. Our ratio of staff to children in Room 2 is 1:6, and is 1:8 in all other classrooms.

Our director and many of our staff members have been at the school for nearly 10 years. There is very low turnover among the teachers.