Kindergarten program opens doors

St. Joachim Catholic School is holding a preview of its kindergarten program today for parents to get an idea about the curriculum for the upcoming school year, which will start in September.

The special open house will be held exclusively for the kindergarten program, said Principal Sister Kathleen Marie. The rest of the school’s open house is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 31.

The school recently changed its kindergarten program schedule from two daily short classes to one long daily class. The response to the new class schedule, which runs from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., has been overwhelmingly positive, said Sue Calabretta, the school’s kindergarten teacher.

“The requirement by the state, as well as the national standards, as many people know, have really increased and to be able to meet the needs of the children, to grow academically, physically and spiritually, it’s really important that we have time with them,” Calabretta said.

St. Joachim is a private kindergarten through eighth grade Catholic school in Costa Mesa. In addition to its kindergarten program, the school also offers a pre-kindergarten program.

The kindergarten curriculum covers language arts, math, music, art, library and literature skills, physical education and computer classes, Calabretta said.

“All that we do is done in the context of a very warm and nurturing community,” Marie said. “Community is a very important part of our school.”

If You Go

What: Open house for kindergarten program

When: 4 p.m. today

Where: St. Joachim Catholic School, 1964 Orange Ave., Costa Mesa

Call: (949) 574-7411