ACORN COOPERATIVE PRESCHOOL RECENTLY FINISHED ITS FIRST SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAM. STUDENTS ARE PICTURED ABOVE. Acorn Cooperative Preschool held its first Summer Program July 12 through 16. The drop-off summer program consisted of a one-week morning session for children ages 2.5 to 5 years. The curriculum focused on early literacy. Summer Director Wendy McCully stated, “Our summer program on early literacy was fantastic. The children were able to experience all aspects of early literacy using creativity and their senses through hands-on learning. Thanks to all who helped make this program a huge success.”

During the week-long summer session the children played ABC Bingo, laced alphabet cards and completed different puzzles related to literacy. During storytime the children enjoyed being active participants in the story “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” and focused on rhyming and phonics. Art projects included ABC sponge painting and sounding out words using alphabet stickers. Next year Acorn Cooperative Preschool hopes to expand the summer program and advises parents to look next spring for information on the 2011 summer program.

Acorn Cooperative Preschool is currently enrolling students in both its Acorn and Sprouts programs for fall 2010. For the 0-5 year-old Acorn program on Tuesdays, students are accompanied by their parents and or caregivers. The Sprouts drop-off program occurs on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and now offers both morning and afternoon sessions.

Sprouts is a traditional parent cooperative that serves children ages 2.5-5 in which parents rotate working in the class. The preschool is located at 5034 Darrah Road. Parents are encouraged to come and observe the preschool’s programs.

Acorn Cooperative Preschool is a non-profit preschool. Acorn’s play-based program is designed as an open structure format where the children are free to choose from a wide variety of developmentally appropriate activities. The program is partially funded through a grant from First 5 of Mariposa. The preschool is open to students in Mariposa and Madera counties. Acorn Cooperative Preschool does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in the administration of educational policies, admissions policies and school-administered programs.

Parents who are interested in enrolling their children or dropping in to observe the program should call 966-1202 (voicemail) or 209-966-7032 (classroom).