First Baptist Church of Stuart Announces VPK!

STUART, FL - On August 24, 2009, First Baptist Christian School will beginthe fall term of their Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) program. Miss Karen Grantham, Preschool Director ofFirst Baptist Christian School of Stuart is pleased to announce that Katie Long Orman has been appointed the VPK Director. Katie Orman has recently re-located to Stuart, to accept the challenge of bringing a superior VPK program to the Treasure Coast. Orman is a recent graduate of Liberty University with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with honors. Orman has 2 ½ years experience in an after-care program in Virginia.

The new VPK program at First Baptist Christian School is fully accredited, and open to all residents of Martin County, the program features; Computer, P.E. and Music classes, in addition to the ABeka Curriculum to teach students basic academics. First Baptist also offers before-care and extended-care if needed, as well as Summer camp, Wednesday night children's activities, and Sunday school at 9:30 AM on Sundays.

Registering is easy:
If you are a St. Lucie or Martin county resident you may register in person at the Early Learning Coalition 509 Georgia Avenue, Ft. Pierce, Florida or call , 772-595-6424, or apply online: https://spe.schoolreadiness.org/pe/
Parents will need the following documents when registering:
1. Your child's Birth Certificate
2. Your child's Social Security Card (if available)
3. Your Driver's License.
4. Utility Bill (Cellular phone bills are not acceptable)

Once you receive your VPK Certificate, bring it to First Baptist Christian School to complete your child's school registration. **Hurry, space truly is extremely limited!

Below, is a press release from the State of Florida concerning the importance of the VPK Program:

--8,000+ Students Eligible to Take Advantage of Early Education Program

TALLAHASSEE, FLA- Registration for the summer session of Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) is underway and this is the final opportunity for children entering kindergarten this fall to jumpstart their education. In its second year, the summer VPK program enrollment has increased by 20.5 percent -- that is 19,180 more students this year compared to last year's enrollment at the same time.

"While many students are currently enrolled in the VPK program, we are continually striving to reach those who are not," said Monesia T. Brown, Director of the Agency for Workforce Innovation. "200,000 kids will start kindergarten in the fall, but for many kids, the work begins in Prekindergarten. That is where they learn the skills and gain the knowledge they need to get on the right track for future achievement in school and life."--

The VPK program gives children a head start in school by helping them develop the skills to become good readers and successful students. Children who enter kindergarten able to recognize shapes and colors; clearly express their thoughts and ideas; and identify letters from the alphabet are at a much greater advantage. According to a 2004-05, article in the American Educator, children who participate in high-quality early education are less likely to dropout of school, need remedial coursework or be retained in a grade. The VPK program gives children a strong learning foundation by teaching the fundamentals of letter sounds, numbers, shapes and colors. They also learn important social and emotional skills, becoming familiar with the structure of school and a classroom, and the importance of teachers as figures of authority, which makes the transition to kindergarten much easier.--

The program is open to all 4-year-olds (by September 1, 2009) who have not previously participated in a VPK program. VPK consists of 540 hours of instructional time, and at First Baptist Christian School, parents have the additional luxury and flexibility of dropping their children off as early as 6:45 a.m. and picking them up as late as 5:30 p.m. The State of Florida requires that the students participate in three hours of instructional time per day, which is between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. First Baptist Christian School is here to make this VPK opportunity available for all families that qualify, absolutely free.

Moreover, First Baptist Christian School is a ministry of First Baptist Church of Stuart, Florida. Students of any or no denomination are admitted. First Baptist Christian School daily teaches the Word of God. Admission is open to all students regardless of race, color, ethnic background or national origin. First Baptist Christian School was established in 1974 and is governed by a School Committee consisting of elected members of the Church and operated by a chief administrative officer; the Headmaster.

The Administration, Faculty, and staff welcomes visits by prospective parents and students at the school on 201 West Ocean Blvd, in lovely Downtown Stuart. For further information regarding enrollment, please see:

http://www.fbcs-tuart.org/index_files/page0008.htm or call the school office at (772) 287-5161.

First Baptist Church of Stuart also invites the community to consider participating in the upcoming Women's Conference in Orlando. The "Deeper Still" conference is September 18 th & 19 th and will be featuring Kay Arthur, Priscilla Shirer and Beth Moore. Please call the Church office for details.