What's Sonshine School all about?
Sonshine School is a Christian pre-school operated by the Mt. Carmel Church of Christ, with classes for children ages 3-5. Men and women from the church teach the classes, which meet from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Thursdays.
How It Started
In 1986, shortly after the church moved into their new building on Hwy 1 North/N. Cherry St., several members planned a new community outreach program called "Sonshine School."
Sonshine School became a pre-school for children in the Mt. Carmel area, with classes to teach the little ones about the Bible as well as the academics they would soon need to know in kindergarten. The first classes began in September of that year, with 58 children enrolled.
Our Goal
"The primary purpose of Sonshine School is to teach Biblical attitudes and skills that will aid your child as he or she enters kindergarten and develops social behavior, obedience, friendliness, kindness, honesty, and a feeling of self-worth," explains Sonshine School Director Linda Gearhart in a letter to parents.
"It's a way to partner with parents as they are raising their preschooler," Linda adds of the program, "to help them learn the basic things."
Classes
Children who attend Sonshine School will be divided into two homeroom stations: the "Bears" and the "Bunnies." From there, students will rotate between four classes: Crafts and Bible, for which the two homeroom groups meet together, and Academics and Activities, for which the two groups are separated.
Please use the navigation bar at the side to get a more detailed look at what is taught in each class.
Schedule
Meeting from 9 a.m. to noon each Thursday, Sonshine School provides a structured environment where children can learn. This year, the morning schedule is as follows:
9:00-9:15 Attendance
9:20-9:45 1st Class: Bible
9:50-10:15 2nd Class: Crafts
10:20-10:45 3rd Class: Academics or Activities
10:45-11:00 Restroom Break
11:00-11:30 Lunch & Playtime
11:30-11:55 4th Class: Academics or Activities
11:55-12:00 Prepare to go home
The Sonshine School meeting schedule follows the local school district's schedule in respect to closings. For additional school year scheduling and for a list of special themed days, see the Sonshine School Calendar.
Lunch
A thirty-minute period is figured into the Sonshine School schedule for lunch, beginning at 11:00 a.m. Parents are asked to send a nutritious finger-food lunch with a boxed drink each Thursday for their child's lunch.
Please label each lunch sack or box with your child's full name. Also, please do not send "pizza lunchables" in your child's lunch, as they are very messy and hard for small children to eat.
The teachers and assistants will do their best to make sure each child eats.
Registration
General registration takes place each year in early fall. Parents are encouraged to attend the Sonshine School Registration Night to meet the teaching staff and fill out necessary paperwork.
To be fully admitted, the following must be completed for each student by a parent or guardian:
1. Student application
2. Medical form
3. Emergency forms
Also, a $65 registration fee must be paid before the student will be admitted to Sonshine School. This fee is non-refundable after 30 days.
For more information, call or email the director. A Sonshine School handbook is also available and will be given to each family whose child is enrolled in the pre-school.
