Welcome, early learners! WEM offers many programs for children in the years leading up to entering kindergarten. Learn more below, and contact the school to get involved. Upcoming Events/ Courses WEM COMMUNITY EDUCATION REGISTRATION LINK 2025-2026 Preschool PRE-REGISTRATION Little Bucs Preschool (formerly called Kindergarten Connection) WEM offers a preschool program that is based out of Waterville Elementary. Alyssa Hanson and Lindsey Janssen teach the Little Bucs Preschool classes. Our program offers two, 4-day afternoon classes on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for students 4-5 years old and two, 3-day morning classes on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for children 3-4 years old. Our 4’s class works on building Kindergarten readiness skills such as number and letter recognition, shapes, art-making, fine motor skills, colors, and many other academic and social-emotional skills. The 3s class focuses on facilitating social interactions, and routines, as well as beginning academic skills such as colors and shapes. Our goal for preschool is to create a safe, caring learning environment with plenty of engaging experiences for students. We provide a developmentally appropriate, hands-on curriculum that focuses on play as a way to learn new skills and concepts. Our goal is to provide for diverse needs in the program and give your child a solid foundation before starting Kindergarten. This program coincides with the WEM school year. If you have questions, please contact Early Childhood Education Coordinator, Alyssa Hanson. Early Childhood Family Education WEM Early Childhood Family Education classes offer opportunities for children ages 2-5. Held in Waterville in the preschool classroom, ECFE provides a great opportunity to become familiar with the preschool classroom before starting school. We provide activities that stimulate your child’s growth and development while allowing parents to become partners in their child’s learning. Join us for fun, engaging activities with a hands-on approach! ECFE classes are offered weekly from 6:00-7:30 for 6-9 sessions in fall, winter, and spring. Dates are posted on the ECFE page of our website as they become available. More information can be found on the Minnesota Department of Education website. If you have questions, please contact Early Childhood Education Coordinator, Alyssa Hanson. Early Childhood Development Screening   Early Childhood Developmental Screening is a check of a child’s development, vision and hearing, growth, health history and immunizations. Screening is a free service required by the State of Minnesota. Early Childhood Developmental Screening helps a school district identify children who may benefit from district and community resources available to help in their development. Early Childhood Developmental screening includes a vision screening that helps detect potential eye problems but is not a substitute for a comprehensive eye exam. Screening is recommended when a child is 3 to 4 years old, but must be completed before starting Kindergarten in a Minnesota public school. ​At the conclusion of the screening, the parent/legal guardian will be given a summary of the screening results and have the opportunity to discuss concerns they may have about their child’s development or circumstances that could affect their child’s learning. Information regarding early childhood programs and other resources will be available. The screening summary will become a part of the child’s school record. • Vision and hearing At WEM, we typically offer screening for students three times per year in the fall, winter, and spring. More information can be found on the Minnesota Department of Education website. To set up a screening date, please call the Elementary Office at 507-362-4439. If you have questions, please contact School Nurse, Jamie Reuvers. Kindergarten Registration Kindergarten Registration sometimes referred to as Kindergarten Roundup, is typically held in the spring. It is for children to enroll in kindergarten for the next school year. Children are eligible to enroll if they turn 5 years of age by September 1 at the start of the school year. See also the WEM Enrollment page for all ages. If you have questions, please contact Principal, Dr. Jennifer Wilson.
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