SEWARD (SNR) – St. Vincent de Paul School in Seward has preschool and kindergarten openings.
Kindergarten classes are held with the rest of the school. Preschool openings are in the Monday-Wednesday-Friday afternoon section, held from 12:15-3:15 p.m.
School tours are available by contacting the school office at (402) 643-9525.
St. Vincent de Paul School was established in August 2001, grades kindergarten through the third grade; it is now a pre-K through fourth grade program.
Msgr. Robert Tucker serves as chief administrative officer, and Mrs. Denise Ray is principal. The school family pride themselves in intimate class sizes and love for Jesus Christ.
“Our preschool and kindergarten classes are the seedlings that establish the strong roots of learning for our children, both spiritually and academically,” Mrs. Ray said. “It is the start of a beautiful relationship between our students, our teachers, and our Lord, that is strengthened with knowledge and time.”
The preschool program is taught by Mrs. Tina Ratkovec. The curriculum is geared toward kindergarten preparation and integrates the method used by the kindergarten program for reading readiness.
Preschool is a hands-on method of learning and encompasses ways for the students to have fun without realizing they are learning. “Miss Tina,” as Ratkovec is called by students, said children learn best when they are doing, not just seeing or listening.
“We get messy,” she said. “We try to incorporate as many new and imaginative ideas into the classroom as we can.”
Faith formation plays a big part in the preschool curriculum at St. Vincent de Paul, specifically learning about God’s unconditional love for each and every person.
Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Lisa Crane, has 20 years of teaching experience at St. Vincent de Paul, she has seen many changes since its opening.
Ray said Mrs. Crane is truly invested in her students’ academic and physical development, but especially their spiritual growth.
“She has a unique way of bringing Our Lord Jesus into every lesson she teaches,” she said. “Her students reflect her bubbly personality and overall happiness in and out of the classroom, and they learn what it means to be a disciple of Christ.”
The most important part of the kindergarteners’ day is the Mass. With the help of their fourth-grade “Mass buddies,” the students learn how to show love and respect for Jesus during the Mass.
“They learn the Mass songs and it is so beautiful to hear their precious voices singing to Jesus,” said Mrs. Crane.
She explained how the kindergarten program talks about “how Jesus works in our lives during each and every subject.”
“We also stop to pray whenever we hear sirens or when we get on the bus for a trip, praying for safety,” she said. “We make many visits to church to have quiet time with Jesus. We also light candles in church for anyone in our class who is sick.”
A typical kindergarten day is filled with love and laughter, fun and lots of learning.
“I love to sing, dance, and especially use puppets to help the kids learn,” Crane said. “I try to make my lessons come alive by providing many hands-on activities.”
The classes include opportunities for movement while students are learning. The children act out many stories, both religious and other stories as well. Social skills are taught while specifically focusing on how God’s love reveals itself in all social situations.
Kindergartners participate in things like “Alphabet Bootcamp,” the “100th Day of School” celebration, and a special scientist unit. Mrs. Crane said she loves activities that help the children connect the reading concept for the day, and also enable them to work on fine motor skills.
“My class is special because I am able to help my students develop a personal relationship with Jesus,” Crane said. “They know how much He loves them and then know they can talk to Him whenever they need Him. I see Jesus in my students when their eyes light up when they learn something, in their friendships, and when they help each other.
“I thank God every day that I get to teach kindergarten,” she continued. “My greatest blessing is when a student later in life lets me know what a difference I made in their lives, especially their spiritual lives.”
