Pacelli shifting to all day preschool
Published 5:57 pm Tuesday, July 20, 2021
Isabelle Marx picks out her paper for a book-writing project last week at Pacelli Catholic Schools while in the background, from left, Bexley Srock, Scarlet Konken, Lorelei Linnett and Kenna Konken work on their projects. Photos by Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Bennett Marx works won his project of writing a short book on himself last week at Pacelli Catholic Schools. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Clare Malloy works on a project during classtime at Pacelli Catholic Schools last week. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Pacelli Catholic Schools preschoolers sit down for a project last week. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Pacelli Catholic Schools preschoolers work conntently on project. Soon Pacellil will be offering all day preschool. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
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Move hopes to meet a need in the community
Parents in Austin are going to have another option for childcare when Pacelli Catholic Schools makes the move to all-day preschool.
According to Marie Viker, Early Childhood Director for Pacelli, the move was made to meet a need in Austin.
“It’s about community needs,” Viker said. “Parents want more childcare. They don’t want half days, they want full days.”
Currently, Pacelli’s three levels of preschool — Tiny Shamrocks, Kindergarten Prep and Montessori — all meet for half days, but administration saw that there was plenty of reason to shift to all day preschool.
Not only do parents look for all-day preschool, the school itself is also looking to boost its enrollment.
“We’re a little low,” Viker said, explaining that, “Parents want to wait until the last minute. We still have some time yet.”
Part of that optimism comes from how popular the school’s summer program has been.
“Our summer program has boomed,” Viker said. “There were a lot more kids than we thought.”
There’s also a learning benefit from this. Viker said that through preschool classes, students get more socialization and learn to follow directions.
“They learn how to handle a toy that’s been taken away [by another student],” Viker said.
All day preschool will start on Aug. 30. An open house will be held 6-7:30 p.m. on Aug. 4 that will allow families to get a good look at the school and what it offers.
“We want to get more families to realize we’re a good, safe place to send their kids and get to know us,” Viker said. “Get them to join the family.”
Families don’t need to be Catholic to send their kids to Pacelli’s all day preschool and scholarships are available. For those who are interested in sending their children to Pacelli, they should call Andrea Severtson, director of enrollment and events coordinator.
