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Hope Lutheran
Preschool Staff Proud of their
Program
Hope Lutheran Church, 260 Vincent
Street, Fond du Lac, has had the
privilege of serving the needs of
Fond du Lac area children and their
families for over 25 years with
their preschool program for
3-year-olds.
In recent years, a 4-year-old
kindergarten program has been added
which works in conjunction with the
Fond du Lac School District,
providing a vital next step toward
entering kindergarten. The School is
licensed by the State of Wisconsin
Department of Health and Family
Services and is governed by Hope
Lutheran Church and its Board of
Early Childhood Education. It meets
all the requirements of the state
and has a professional staff with
degrees in Early Education.
Long-time Fond du Lac School
District teacher, Barbara Hoyt,
serves as Director of the 4-Kand the
preschool programs, after retiring
from her 33-year career where she
taught grades 4-6. Mrs. Hoyt
received her BS degree from
UW-Whitewater and her MD degree from
Aurora University Illinois. A member
of Hope Lutheran Church since 1991,
she is excited and exuberant over
the programs being offered and
credits the staff for their
enthusiasm and creativity, which has
made the school so successful.
The head teacher of the 4-K
program is Dawn Prochnow, a
Campbellsport native and graduate of
Marian College with a BS degree in
Early Childhood and Elementary
Education. Dawn says “This is a
great environment for the children
and staff. The kids are energetic
and excited as they learn new things
and it’s exciting for her to work
with an awesome staff”. Everyone
involved is very helpful and
supportive.”
Assistant teacher, Joan Cavil,
received her BS degree in Early
Education from UW-Stout and is a
native of Green Bay. Ms. Cavil moved
to Fond du Lac in 1993 and has been
with the 4-K program at Hope since
August, 2006. She also credits the
teamwork at Hope and remarked, “The
church staff as well as the Board of
Early Childhood Education that
oversees our program is so
supportive that it makes a wonderful
working and learning environment.’
In addition to providing the
daytime educational classes,
including computer skills, the
program also meets the requirement
of the state to provide 87 ½ hours
of ‘parent hours’. Special events
are held almost monthly that include
parents and children. In December,
Pajama Night was held where staff
and students arrived for an
after-hours event in their pajamas.
The classroom was decorated to
resemble nighttime with holiday
lights, lighted stars on the ceiling
and camping lanterns placed around
the room. Lighted bracelets were
worn by the children who took part
in various activities including
‘neon-glow-in-the-dark’ painting,
Lite Brites where students made
designs and a visit to the
‘planetarium’, an empty refrigerator
box with ‘stars’ shining at the top.
One highlight of the night was
the visit of Hope’s Pastor Callies,
who came to read bedtime stories to
the children. While students
participated in those and other
activities, their parents were
addressed by Dr. Amy Emmer-Sheldon
of the Aurora Health Care Center, on
the sleeping needs and habits of
children.
Other special events included
Math Mania in October where students
and their parents worked on math
skills including making patterns
with colorful shapes, sorting,
graphing and counting, a Library
Tour in November. Coming in February
will be Fitness Night at the YMCA, a
tour of the new Children’s Museum in
April and Super Science in May.
Hope’s preschool program is
taught by Renee Schnell who earned
her BS degree from Illinois State
University after growing up in
Schaumburg, Illinois. She moved to
Fond du Lac with her husband, Corey,
who was born and raised in Fond du
Lac. She previously taught at the
ARC Early Education facility and in
addition to her work at Hope, also
teaches preschool in the the health
and wellness program at the YMCA.
Our programs are Christian-based
with a goal of encouraging the
physical, social, emotional and
intellectual aspects of the young
children who attend. Each child is
accepted at the level of growth they
have reached. Mrs. Schnell stated,
“I love working in this Christian
environment and is something I
always pictured myself doing.” She
added, “It’s like living out my
dream and I hope to be here for a
long time.”
Teacher assistant, Jeanette Wolf,
received her certification from the
Early Childhood Station in West
Allis. Before teaching at Hope, she
led the Foster Grandparent Program
for the Fond du Lac School District.
This is Mrs. Wolf’s second year at
Hope and considers this opportunity,
and the school, to be “one of God’s
blessings”. Jeanette has lived and
farmed in the Fond du Lac area for
35 years and is a member of Hope
Lutheran Church.
Dave Krahn, a veterinarian from
the Eden area, serves as Chairman of
the Board of Early Childhood
Education which makes him a member
of the Church Council. “It is
exciting to see such tremendous
support and enthusiasm from the
community for our 4-K and pre-school
programs. Approximately 275 people
of all different faiths attended the
standing-room only performance of
the children’s Christmas program.”
Hope Lutheran’s programs not only
serve children of members but
children from throughout the
community. The school admits
students of every race, ethnic and
religious origin. In addition to the
4-K and 3-year-olds classes, a
before-and-after school childcare
program is available for children
enrolled in either of the school
programs.
Three-day preschool classes meet
Monday, Wednesday and Friday
mornings; two-day preschool classes
meet Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
4-K classes are held everyday with
both morning and afternoon classes.
Our preschool classes are limited to
12 children each and our 4-K classes
have a maximum of 18 students each.
Advance enrollment opportunities
for 2008-09 pre-school classes are
offered in January to the families
currently enrolled in one of our
programs and opens to the general
public on February 1. Enrollment in
the 4-K classes is done through the
Fond du Lac School District in
February. Enrollment forms are
available at the Hope Lutheran
Church office or on our website at
www.lifeathope.org/preschool. For
more information on pricing and
payment options, or other questions,
please inquire at the church office
by calling 922-5130.
Rev. David Lieske, Administrative
Pastor at Hope Lutheran stated, “The
preschool is a very important
ministry of our congregation and
provides many blessings to young
families through the quality
Christian education of our caring
and effective staff and the
involvement and support of our Early
Childhood Education Board. |
