ArtStart program has a developmentally appropriate, arts-based curriculum with the goal of enhancing the students’ creative, physical, social, emotional and intellectual development. ArtStart provides children the opportunity to explore in a nurturing environment with highly qualified and experienced staff and classes of no more than 12 students with two teachers! We dress-up, write stories, paint, work with clay, dance, sing, read, cook, compose, count, construct and so much more! Find out more about this mixed-age classroom where the children set the tone and help guide the specifics of the curriculum!
Watch a video of “Reading Rockwell.” Class teacher Angie Gibbs leads a discussion with the children on what they see and think about a painting.
Please visit our classroom and meet our teachers!
ArtStart classes for the 2012-2013 school year.
Each class is open to children ages 3 to 5 (Children must be 3 by September 1, 2012.)
- 4 day morning class: Tuesday through Friday 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
- 2 day mornings class: Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:00 – 11:30 a.m
- 2 day mornings class: Wednesdays & Fridays 9:00 – 11:30 a.m
- 2 day afternoon class: Tuesday & Thursdays 12:00-2:30 p.m.
Cost per month
- 4 day program – $ 140.00 members ($155.00 non-members)
- 2 day program – $ 75.00 members ($ 80.00 non-members)
- $ 35.00 Non-Refundable Registration fee
We keep the classes small to ensure quality time for each student.
2011-2012 Calendar
September 6(7) - First day of class
October 4 – No School (Special Election)
November 3 & 4 - No School (teachers presenting at NAEYC conference)
November 21-25 – No School (Thanksgiving break)
December 23 – January 2 – No School (Christmas)
2012
February 17 - No School (Staff development)
April 2-6 - No School (Spring Break)
May 16 - Last Day of regular classes
May 17/18 - ArtStart Gallery Opening and Celebration
September 4(5)Classes resume
Priority Registration
- Current ArtStart students get first priority if they turn in the registration packet between February 1- 18, 2012.*
- The siblings of current students and former ArtStart students get priority if the completed registration packet form and payment is returned by February 11- February 25, 2012.*
- Registration is open to Art Center members and the public starting February 26 ,2012.*
* At each tier, those with current Parkersburg Art Center family memberships are given preference.
Registration information may be picked up at The Parkersburg Art Center front counter or download this ArtStart Registration Form and Registration Fee
.Please be sure to list a first and second choice for class days and times.
We will notify family of their placement within a week of the end date for each registration period.
Staff
Lead Teacher Jessie Siefert, has been teaching since 1991. She has a M.S. in Education from Bank Street College in New York, NY. Before coming to the Parkersburg Art Center in 2005 her experiences included teaching preschool and kindergarten; working as a teacher/naturalist at a nature center and a national park; consulting for the Cincinnati Art Museum; presenting teacher education programs in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, working as an on-line parenting coach and health and wellness coach and raising her two children.
Marcia Ritchie has been an ArtStart assistant since inception. She has a B.A. in Art/Theater Arts from WV Wesleyan College and is currently working on her M.A. in Art Education with UFlorida. Before coming to the Art Center in 2005, she was a substitute teacher, coached Ravenswood High School Soccer and volunteered in the Jackson County Schools. She serves on several Boards of Directors: Arts Advocacy WV, Ohio/WV State YMCA and Jackson County Library. She has three children : Zak at WVU Law School 2011, Ross at VT Architecture 2011, and Molly attending Xavier University 2013.
Erin Augenstein is a “local” who attended DeSales Heights Academy and graduated from Parkersburg Catholic High School. She earned her B.S. in Special Education from Miami University, and her M.A. in both Elementary and Special Education from Muskingum College. Erin taught students with disabilities in separate facility settings in both Cincinnati and Marietta. She also taught at Marietta Middle School for over four years before deciding to stay home with her two daughters, who are both ArtStart kids. Erin is the happy hostess for many birthday parties at the PAC, as well as a summer camp and workshop teacher. She teaches dance classes down the street at Schrader Youth Ballet.
Emily Dunn is a mother of two children and has been a substitute teacher in the Wood County Schools. She earned her B.A in Early Childhood Education from Marshall University. Emily has also worked as a Prevention Specialist with the Washington County Children Services serving Belpre Elementary schools.
ArtStart Pre-School Parent Handbook
Staff Contact
- Jessica Siefert – Lead Teacher & Education Director 295-7379 or jlts@suddenlink.net
- Marcia Ritchie -Assistant & Website manager 485-3850 or marcia@parkersburgartcenter.org
School Calendar
Classes will run from September 4, 2012 through May 16, 2013. A complete list of school holidays and other events will be provided.
Hours of Operation
Morning classes begin at 9:00 and end at 11:30 a.m.
Afternoon Classes begin at 12:00 noon and end at 2:30 pm.
Age Requirement
Students should be three-years-old (and toilet trained) by September 1, 2012 but should not be older than five-years-old as of October 1, 2012.
Registration / Tuition
To guarantee your child a spot in the ArtStart class, the registration form must be accompanied by a $35 non-refundable registration fee. Tuition is due on the first class day of each month. Tuition can be paid in monthly installments or as one lump amount.
Attendance and Health
Children will not be permitted in school if visibly ill. Please keep your child home 24 hours after a fever has broken or after your child has thrown-up. If your child has a communicable disease, please let the teacher know so other parents can watch for symptoms in their own children. If your child becomes ill at school, we will contact you or an emergency contact you have provided.
Please be sure to let teachers know if your child has allergies or special conditions .
Supply List
A supply list with a few basic school supplies will be distributed in August. Other items may be requested later in the year.
Drop-ff and Pick-up
We ask that you bring your child to the classroom no more than 5 minutes prior to class time and take your child to the toilet before class. We will bring the children out to the big room at the end of class. If someone we do not recognize will be picking up your child, we will need to have your written consent. Please be prompt when picking up your child. There will be a $5 fee if you are more than 15 minutes late unless prior arrangements have been made.
Please do not drop off your child more than 10 minutes before class time. Outside doors will most likely remain locked until then.
Dress for School
Dress your child in comfortable clothing that can get messy. Make sure that they wear items they can manage themselves as this promotes self-sufficiency and self-esteem. Label outerwear with your child’s name. Bringing toys from home is discouraged as they can get broken and are hard for young children to share with others.
Classroom Volunteers
We love having parent (or grandparent) volunteers! If you have signed up on the calendar as that day’s classroom help, please come without younger siblings. Your job will be to assist the teacher and provide individual, positive attention to the registered students. Be prepared to stay the entire two hours. If you cannot volunteer in the classroom but would like to assist in other ways, please let us know.
Classroom Visits
You are welcome to visit the class anytime for as long or as little as you like. During class, teachers will be focused on the students so this is not the best time to discuss your child’s progress or other issues.
Snacks
Parents are kindly asked to supply snack. A snack list will be distributed each month. Information regarding snack policy will be discussed at ArtStart orientation in August.
Preparing Your Child For School
- Talk about school in a positive way.
- Go shopping for school supplies together.
- Tell your child how nice the teachers are and how they are looking forward to seeing them.
- Bring your child to the art center for classes or just to play so they feel comfortable here.
- If you know other children who will be attending ArtStart, invite them over to play before classes begin.
- If your child seems very unsure, you are welcome to stay in the Art Center or work in the classroom until they feel comfortable.
Weather Closings
- If Wood County Schools are closed, we are closed.
- If Wood County Schools have a 2 hour delay, we will have a 1 hour delay and classes will run from 10:00 – 11:30.
- If Wood County Schools have a 1 hour delay, we will have regularly scheduled classes.
