Florida Catholic | St. Michael Early Learning Center To Open Aug. 11

St. Michael Early Learning Center to open Aug. 11

PEGGY DEKEYSER | FLORIDA CATHOLIC PENSACOLA-TALLAHASSEE BUREAU EDITOR

Published: 07.04.08

AMY F. SMITH | FC
Pensacola Catholic High School student Shaun White cleans a desks at the St. Michael Early Learning Center.

PENSACOLA | The former St. Michael Interparochial School will make the transition to the St. Michael Early Learning Center when it opens Aug. 11 at 601 N. Palafox St. here.

Operated by the Schools Office of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, St. Michael Early Learning Center will open with class spaces for 2-, 3- and 4-year-old children. Each class will be staffed by a certified early childhood teacher and aides. A director will oversee all operations.

Susan Jones Mueller, superintendent of schools, expressed her enthusiasm for the new center. “We’re looking forward to offering a new service to parents in the Pensacola area. This will be the first Catholic early learning center to offer services for 2-, 3- and 4-year-olds. St. John the Evangelist in Warrington, St. Paul and Sacred Heart Cathedral School all offer pre-K for 4-year-olds. In addition, St. John and St. Paul offer VPK (state-paid voluntary prekindergarten). St. Michael will be the first to serve the 2s and 3s.”

Hours of operation at St. Michael will be 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with drop-off/pickup times 15 minutes earlier and later. Tuition is $125 a week. Before- and after- care is available from 7 to 8 a.m. and from 2:30 to 6 p.m. for an additional fee.

The calendar will coincide with the Catholic schools academic calendar, available online at www.ptdiocese.org. Voluntary prekindergarten (VPK) will not be offered.

The school is undergoing renovations to provide the best environment for new students when school opens Aug. 11.

“A large number of people have already been extremely generous in helping to get the school ready for its new occupants,” Mueller said. “In particular, the Knights of Columbus of Council 778, which has its council home across the street from the school, have been very kind in helping with cleaning and painting. Also, Pensacola Catholic High School students have helped clean and move desks as part of their service hours.”

The Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee operates four preschools, eight elementary schools, some of which offer prekindergarten, and two high schools in northwest Florida. Recognized for academic excellence for more than 125 years, diocesan schools focus on the spiritual, emotional and physical, as well as academic growth and development, of children and young people.

For registration information, please contact the Schools Office at 850-435-3500 or e-mail schools@ptdiocese.org. Registration forms are also available online at www.ptidocese.org. Registration is complete once the registration form and the registration fee of $250 are received by the Schools Office.

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St. Michael Early Learning Center to open Aug. 11

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