The Bridge - Gift of Time
Gift of Time
St. Paul CDS Kindergarten Readiness Program
The Bridge program is designed for children who are 5 years old on or before September 1st, but whose parents/guardians wish to give them the gift of time - one additional year before they begin formal education.
The Bridge program aims to help transition children from a Pre-K setting to a full-time Kindergarten setting. This class will help students who have mastered most of a Pre-K program but would benefit from reinforcement in certain areas to promote success in Kindergarten and beyond. It will also allow for an additional year of growth in social/emotional maturity.
The curriculum will consist of a balanced literacy approach with a focus on phonics. Through small group and direct instruction, students will build skills in comprehension, vocabulary, fluency, phonics, phonemic awareness, and handwriting. Math will be taught using a hands-on curriculum designed to teach beginning numeration, patterns, and problem solving. Science and Social Studies will help students discover God's creation around us.
The Bridge program is taught by a certified teacher.
*Four-day enrollment and previous completion of a Pre-K program are required to participate in The Bridge.*
.jpeg)
Ms. Michelle Romo
Hi there! My name is Michelle Romo. I am incredibly blessed to be the Bridge teacher here at St. Paul Lutheran CDS.
I came to find St. Paul after our daughter attended the Pre-K program several years ago. We had such a positive experience, that I jumped at the chance to become a member of the team and a partner in the learning experiences that students are given here.
I strongly believe that learning should be fun and exciting; incorporating play with purposeful lessons is essential. I love building relationships with my students and learning what their interests are so I can adapt lessons to what they find interesting. Powerful learning experiences happen when every learner is given the opportunity to shine and grow.
I have a deep love of science and math and believe that students are born little scientists and mathematicians. The wonder and awe God has created in our natural world can be best experienced through its observation and study. Watching my student’s eyes light up when we finish a STEAM lesson fills my heart.
Encouraging your child to build skills at becoming an independent learner and helping him/her build confidence to face any challenges along the way is a passion of mine. I believe in building a learning environment that encourages team building, problem solving, creative expression, and higher order thinking skills. It is my greatest goal to instill a love for learning that will last a lifetime in the heart of each student I am blessed to teach.
When away from school, I really enjoy spending time with my family and friends. Our two children keep this mama very busy. Our family loves being outside and in nature. We hunt, fish, and hang out on the beach as often as we can. I am an avid reader and really enjoy having two or three books at my bedside at the same time. I also try my hand at flower gardening as often as I am able. I may not always be
successful, but nature can be very forgiving. I never miss an opportunity for a great meal with warm company; so, it’s not uncommon to find me cooking in the kitchen with family and
friends laughing and trying our hands at new recipes.
Being a teacher is truly a way for me to make a difference in the lives of others. Your child will always hold a special place in my heart. I look forward to getting to know you and your family better.
What Our Alumni Say
Making the decision to give my child the gift of time through the St. Paul CDS Bridge Program was truly one of the best decisions I could have ever made for my son.
After having my oldest child complete kindergarten in public school a year prior, I knew what challenges and expectations lie ahead. I felt in my heart that he just was not ready for all of that. After careful consideration and open communication with his prek 4 teacher we knew the Bridge was the right fit for my son’s needs. My son needed an environment that provided him with a smaller class size. The Bridge did just that and more. With a 9:1 ratio he received the attention that he so needed. Mrs. Michelle was able to provide support as needed, and yet challenge him in ways that he could confidently grow. Mrs. Michelle lovingly pushed him and held him accountable in the most amazing ways! The Bridge showed my son that he could do hard things, and it fostered a love of learning that is still evident in him to this day. The smaller class size was also ideal for working on social and emotional skills, and it helped my son blossom in those areas as well.
Through structured play and hands on exploration he learned how to deal with friends, play games and follow rules that were challenging, and work through conflicts in a productive way with the guidance of his wonderful teacher.
The Bridge curriculum provided my son with support in his writing, phonics, reading, math, and science. It also provided a Christian based education, and an opportunity to attend chapel weekly. We enjoyed all the extra curricular activities that happened throughout the school year as well.
The growth we saw in him was truly outstanding. He was reading and writing, and had strong math skills by the end of the year. This foundation put him above grade level upon entering kindergarten, and years later he is still performing above grade level on academic skills tests. Having strong academic and social skills was essential to his success in transitioning to public kindergarten.
The foundation laid at St. Paul CDS was vital to my sons early childhood education. It will always be a special place to our family. We are forever grateful to the amazing staff for pouring into our children. Both of my boys continue to have the fondest memories of their years at Red Roof.
Huggins Family, Class of 2022