Here We Grow Preschool

Ms. Michelle Benjamin, Preschool Teacher
Ms. Amy Raup, Preschool Assistant
Ms. Rebecca Perruquet, DACC Director of Children’s Programs

The Danville Area Community Center’s “Here We Grow” Preschool is certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Our goal is to provide an educational, recreational, cultural and social experience for children. To accomplish this goal, we offer three preschool sessions:

M/W/F: HWG Kindergarten Readiness Program is appropriate for children who will enter
Kindergarten in Fall 2012

Daily Schedule: 9:00 am until 2:30 pm
T/Th AM: HWG Tues/Thurs AM Class is appropriate for children who are at least two (2)
years, seven months of age and no older than three (3) years of age.

Daily Schedule: 9:00 am until 11:30 am
T/Th PM: HWG Tues/Thurs PM Class is appropriate for children who are at least three (3)
years of age and no older than four (4) years of age. The children in this class
will attend kindergarten in Fall 2013

Daily Schedule: 12:30 pm until 3:00 pm

Academic:
HWG Preschoolers will experience a rigorous curriculum with a balanced literacy approach. Three-year-olds learn through exploration and play; four and five-year-olds learn pre-reading and math skills. At HWG, we use a standard-based approach to learning. Our programs include the following:

“Handwriting Without Tears,” High Reach Learning Curriculum and “Big Math for Little Kids.”

Academics are partnered with nurturing to provide wonderful first steps as your child begins his/her formal education.

At HWG, children enjoy Music Class once each week with Miss Elizabeth.

Recreational:
HWG Preschoolers attend school at a facility that has a swimming pool! Therefore, swimming is an important part of the preschool curriculum. Large motor skill activities are never a problem at the DACC. The gym and outdoor play areas are always available to our preschoolers for a variety of activities.

At the DACC, M/W/F Preschoolers enjoy a fitness class each week with one of the Center’s fitness instructors.

Cultural:
HWG Preschoolers will learn about other cultures and societies through the year. In our multi-cultural community, there are many opportunities for learning, sharing, and teaching.

Social:
HWG Preschoolers participate in most of the DACC’s special activities. They sing for the Senior Luncheon at Christmas time; they march through the center in their Halloween costumes; they hunt for eggs at Eastertime; and they play on the DACC playground equipment, in the gym, and in the pool.

HWG Preschool Staff:

Michelle Benjamin

 Michelle Benjamin is a graduate of Danville High School and Bloomsburg University. She holds a degree in Spanish, but has worked in the educational field for many years. Mrs. Benjamin was Mrs. Weaver’s assistant at “Here We Grow” for several years and before that she was a program specialist for SunCom Industries and the Activities Director at Maria Joseph Manor.

This Spring she attended her first “Handwriting Without Tears” workshop. Ms. Benjamin is excited to begin working with this important activity on a weekly basis.

Ms. Benjamin and her husband, Chris, are the parents of three children: Ethan, Gabriel, and Amelia. Each of the Benjamin children is a graduate of HWG. Mrs. Benjamin enjoys photography and her family’s many activities.

Amy Raup

 Amy Raup is a graduate of Marywood Universtiy. She and her husband, Brian, are the parents of two children. Older brother, Mason, is a HWG Alum and younger brother, Carter, is currently enrolled in HWG.

Ms. Raup, an interior designer by profession, loves art, camping and spending time with her family. “Here We Grow” Preschool at the Danville Area Community Center.