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Puerta Abierta Preschool is a not for profit school. The school
is designed to give children the opportunity to enrich their
language and experience cross-cultural development through age
appropriate curriculum and activities.
The
curriculum and activities are geared toward the development of
fluency and pre-literacy skills in English and Spanish, allowing
children to "affirm the values of their own cultural heritage
while acquiring an understanding, appreciation and acceptance of
other cultures."
Ms. Maria,
Puerta Abierta
Preschool Director
933 Chicago Ave.
Evanston, IL 60202
(847) 328-1491
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| If you have driven through the alley behind Hemenway Church
in southeast Evanston, chances are you have seen a diverse group
of children in the playground. They are the wonderful,
enthusiastic and diverse children of Puerta Abierta Preschool. Half of the children in our school are native Spanish
speakers while the other half are English dominant. All of the
children are acquiring a second language at an early age. They
learn together and from each other in an atmosphere that values
each child’s culture.
The best way to learn about Puerta Abierta is to see for
yourself. Visit us. We are located at 933 Chicago Ave. in the
Hemenway Methodist Church building in Evanston, IL.
Please call to make an appointment:
847-328-1491
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Who-
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The school will accept any child for whom Spanish
is their first language or whose parents are interested in early
acquisition of Spanish as a second language. Children
should be 2, 3 years old by the first day of school for the
morning group and 3 or 4 for the afternoon group. Tuition
reduction is available based on family size, income and
availability of scholarship funds.
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When-
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Puerta Abierta will follow the school calendar
for District 65. School will be in session Mondays through
Friday from 8:45 to 11:45 for the morning group and 12:35 to
3:35 for the afternoon group. According to availability,
parents may choose 2, 3 or 5 days for their child to attend.
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Why-
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At Puerta Abierta Pre-school, young children will
have the opportunity to integrate with children of different
ethnic groups. Through exploration, play and cognitive
interaction, children are exposed to each other before their
spontaneity is influenced by adult prejudice. Early
intercultural, interracial friendships provide children the
tools to be accepting and welcoming to diversity. The
classroom will incorporate the cultural richness of each child,
modeling the world in which they will live as adults.
Thus, one of the educational goals is for children to develop
the socialization skills of tolerance, acceptance and mutual
respect.
The other main purpose of Puerta Abierta Pre-school is
Spanish language acquisition. The pre-school years, are
the golden years for language development. It is the time
when children are most receptive to learning a new language
because it comes naturally to them. Thus, English dominant
children will have the chance to more easily acquire Spanish.
Furthermore, research has shown that, for Spanish speaking
children, the greater the native language development, the
better and easier the acquisition of English will be.
Puerta Abierta will offer children the opportunity to grow
and develop socially, emotionally, cognitively and physically in
a developmentally appropriate environment. Children will be
offered opportunities to explore their own interests and
practice skills. Social interaction will be promoted
through teacher directed activities and self directed play.
At the same time, children will be offered the opportunity to
continue to develop their first language while begging to
acquire a second language at an ideal age. At the same
time, children will develop openness toward a diversity of
children.
* Spanish Language Arts
Curriculum for Dual Language Schools
Inter-American Magnet
School.
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