They may not be ready for full-time elementary school, but preschoolers living in the Merriman Park attendance zone were excited at the chance to participate in the Pee Wee Panther program in MPE’s Outdoor Learning Center Sunday, October 23rd. MPE moms Dee Ann Baggett and Amy Mina organized the event, with kids and their families arriving in costume ready to decorate their Halloween pumpkins.
Campus Reading Specialist Brenda Marr, an LHHS graduate and recipient of the 2011 Superior Teaching Achievements in RISD Award, read a book to the kids and MPE Counselor Leah Santa Maria taught them a special song. (The women are shown in Lindsay Baronoskie’s photo above.) Later, Sheridan Stringer provided an age-appropriate physics lesson about buoyancy with gourds in a baby pool (shown in the photo below).
The Panthers-to-be were also treated to a bounce house provided by Roger Moon of the Lake Highlands YMCA, and they had a chance to show off their costumes and meet their future classmates.
MPE Principal Laurie Taylor also invited attendees for a school tour on Wednesday, November 16th from 9:30-11:30am, with childcare provided for preschoolers not in school that day. Brumley Gardens will provide a program to entertain the kids, and Coach Brooks and Ms. May will end the event with a special musical performance. Attendees will hear from the principal, tour school facilities and meet other preschool families.
