Mill Lake School Preschool program promotes positive growth
By: Jamie Simpson
MONROE "OK, who’s ready for our Valentine’s parade?" Barbara Hirsch asked her class of Mill Lake School preschoolers last week.
The children donned construction paper hearts and pranced around the colorfully decorated classroom with excited smiles on all of their faces.
The Feb. 14 Valentine’s parade was a chance for the youngsters to celebrate the holiday as part of the Project HELP preschool program. Jared Horowitz, Brooke Michaels, Brian Steigler, Joseph Trainor and Gabi LaRocca are all part of Mill Lake’s Project HELP program.
Project HELP is aimed at giving students enjoyable experiences in specific areas such as speech and language, gross and fine motor skills, self-help abilities and social skills. The children meet twice a week for a half a day.
Project HELP was created to assist with the individual needs of preschoolers. Children are eligible at 3 years old and are chosen to enter the program based upon testing and observation.
Ms. Hirsh, the head of Project HELP and a teacher for 14 years, said she sticks to a core curriculum that focuses on a number of important developmental areas for small children.
"We use their key experiences in life as a way for them to learn," Ms. Hirsh said. "We try to teach them to be independent thinkers and we motivate them to want to learn."
Project HELP also encourages parent involvement in all aspects of the classroom.
"We have parents come in each week to read stories, do art projects and cook," Ms. Hirsh said.
After the parade, the children gathered around their "meeting area" to play a game. The game focused on colors red for Valentine’s Day and also on listening skills. The children had a blast, laughing and giggling as they walked throughout the classroom to point out toys and other objects that were red for the holiday.
The fun times never seem to stop in the Project HELP classroom and soon the children found themselves busy with art projects, creating their very own "lovebug" puppets. The preschoolers also geared up for their Valentine’s party, where they planned to give out Valentines, placing them in handmade mail bags.
When asked what their favorite part of Project HELP was, the children gave many answers.
"I like to paint," Gabi LaRocca said as she finished a heart-shaped bread slice, smeared with grape jelly.
"I like to write with the chalk," Jared Horowitz said.
Brooke Michaels said her favorite activity was playing in the block area.
Ms. Hirsh said the students have developed a great deal during their time in the program.
She said the extra care and attention these students receive is a big step in their overall emotional and physical growing process.
"I like when I run in the gym!" Joseph Trainor said.

