Welcome! We are glad that you are interested in finding out about the New Covenant Christian School’s Preschool program! We understand how important a decision this is for you and your family and we hope that this booklet will answer your questions.
The heart of our program is a partnership between the home and the Preschool. We recognize that parents are responsible before
God for the instruction, training and discipline of their
children. Weseek to assist each parent in meeting their responsibility in a rapidly changing world by providing Godly curriculum, resources andinstruction.
About our Preschool
The Preschoolopened its doors in the fall of 1990 as a ministry of New Covenant Presbyterian Church. The importance of Christian education, including a preschool, had been an integral part of the church's philosophy from its inception. In the fall of 1999, with the Preschool well established, New Covenant Christian School, beginning with kindergarten and first grade, was launched. For seven years, the Preschool and the school operated as separate ministries of the church with the common goal of providing an excellent Christian education for children. In 2006, the elders of New Covenant Presbyterian Church decided that it would be best to merge the Preschool and the school ministries into one. The merger was a major milestone and has brought greater unity and a larger sense of shared community to the school and the Preschool.
The Preschool of New Covenant Christian School (NCCS) provides a loving and caring environment where children can learn of God’s love through a Christ-centered curriculum and carefully structured play. Our goal is to give your child the opportunity to grow and develop physically, socially, academically, and spiritually. We work to provide a smooth transition from the Preschool into kindergarten.
New Covenant is a cooperative preschool and parents are required to serve as “helping parents” several times a year on assigned days. Working in this way helps the parents learn more about our educational program. Parent helpers work directly with the children and are instructed by the teacher and teacher’s aide. In addition, the parent helpers also have special responsibilities. This teamwork benefits our school by keeping costs down and enhances the school’s mission which says:
“We exist to glorify God by assisting parents in training their children to be Biblically-minded servant-leaders through a Reformed, Christ-centered, classical education.”
The Preschool is licensed by the Child Care Administration of the Maryland State Department of Education. It is a non-profit, community ministry offered by New Covenant Presbyterian Church.
Preschool Staff
Principal: Mrs. Jean Armstrong
Mrs. Jean Armstrong was the founding principal of New Covenant Christian School. She moved back into the classroom in 2002, where she spent the next several years teaching fourth and then fifth grade. She has come full circle and has served as our Grammar and Upper School Principal since 2012.
Mrs. Armstrong graduated from the University of Maryland Baltimore County with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and psychology. She then taught in the Baltimore City Schools for 11 years. During that time she pursued a master’s degree in administration and supervision and received her advanced professional certificate from the Maryland State Board of Education.
Mrs. Armstrong loves partnering with parents as they enjoy the unique personality of each child and considers it a blessing to be able to minister to parents of young children.
PreschoolClassroom Teacher: Mrs. Denise Wysocki
Mrs. Denise Wysockibegan teaching preschool at New Covenant Christian School in September 1999. Prior to New Covenant, she taught both three and four year olds at Northeast Christian School in Baltimore. Mrs. Wysocki’s gentle and calm demeanor is perfect for preschoolers. Mrs. Wysocki enjoys working with children and guiding them towards achieving their full potential. Her favorite subject to teach is Bible because she loves to see children open their hearts and learn about the Lord. When she’s not teaching preschool, Mrs. Wysocki enjoys sports, especially coaching volleyball. She and her husband have two married daughters.
Three-Year-Old Program Teacher’s Aide: Mrs. Lena O’Neill
Mrs. Lena O’Neil earned an associate’s degree and a bachelor’s degree from Towson University and worked for several years at a non-profit agency dedicated to serving survivors of abuse. She and her husband, Jay, are the proud parents of two NCCS boys and are active in the school community. Mrs. O’Neill enjoys sharing her love for the Lord and her passion for education through working with children. She and her family are avid sports fans, cheering for the Terps, Orioles and her favorite…the Ravens.
Four-Year-Old Program Teacher’s Aide: Mrs. Cecelia Rapson
Cecelia Rapsongraduated from the College of Notre Dame and served four years in the Air Force. She has been actively involved in NCCS for many years as a parent, a PTF rep and treasurer, a substitute teacher, a kindergarten aide and a preschool aide. Mrs. Rapson enjoys working with young children. We are blessed to have her using her organizational skills and attention to detail as she works with Ms. Denise. Cecelia and her husband have one married daughter, one NCCS graduate (class of 2016) and one current NCCS son.
Preschool Office Manager: Holly Fitzpatrick
Did you call the preschool office to ask a question? Chances are that you heard the cheery voice of Holly Fitzpatrick. Holly has been associated with NCCS for many years and began working as the Preschool secretary in 2012. She and her husband have two NCCS daughters. She is an enthusiastic supporter of Christian education. She and her family worship at Harford Community Church.
Curriculum
A child’s play is his work. Our goal is to enable children to feel successful about the work that they do on any given day. Much of the work is accomplished in self-directed learning areas such as housekeeping, dress-ups, blocks, science table, and other centers. The curriculum includes the following subject areas taught using an age-appropriate, integrated approach:
Language ArtsMath
ScienceSocial Studies
BibleArt
MusicPhysical Education
An important goal of the Preschool is to encourage a love of reading and enjoyment of books. Ourprogram hasa library of over 1,400 books, including classics in children’s literature as well as children’s favorites.
In the area of Language Arts, pre-reading and pre-writing skills are developed. Children will discover that letters have a purpose and that words have meaning. Children will have the opportunity to watch adults write their ideas in various forms including lists, charts, menus, thank-you notes, and original stories. An important goal of the Preschool is to encourage a love for reading and enjoyment of books through the sharing of classics in children's literature as well as children's favorites.
In our four-year-old program, we teach phonics and reading preparation using Sing, Spell, Read & Write.This explicit phonics instruction is a fun and engaging preschool reading program that develops the readiness and early literacy skills that we want to develop in our young students even before they begin kindergarten. Our four year old Preschool students also use the Saxon Handwriting curriculum; the basic foundation of capital and lowercase letters is learned.
Math skills are developed through a hands-on and discovery approach using games and group activities. Specific skills emphasized include grouping and classification, one-to-one correspondence and counting. We use the Saxon curriculum for kindergarten students for our Preschool 4’s program, lessons 1 through 60.
Science activities are aimed at encouraging observation, comparison, exploration, testing, inquiry, and problem-solving. Major themes include weather, plants and animals, seasons, healthy habits, and magnets. Simple record keeping and cause and effect skills are taught and children’s senses are stimulated.
Social Studies activities focus on learning about self and others, home, family, holidays, transportation and the immediate, as well as the larger community including other cultures. Parents, as well as other community members, are invited into the classroom to share their special talents, occupations and other information.
Art expression and creativity are encouraged through a variety of mediums. Craft projects are included to further develop fine motor skills as well as to provide added experiences in following directions.
The goals of the music experiences are to develop appreciation, participation, and responsiveness. Musical competencies such as pitch, volume and contrasts are also taught. Many different types of music are used including classical, spiritual, stimulating background music, Christian songs, cultural music, children’s tunes and transitional songs.
Physical education and movement aid children in developing motor abilities and gaining skills in body control, rhythm, tempo, timing, following directions, group participation and strengthening muscles.
Curriculum-directed field trips enhance the learning experience.
Christian values such as honesty, kindness, and obedience are woven into the fabric of the curriculum. Bible stories, beginning experiences in prayer, and praise time are an integral part of the preschool day. In addition, a member of the New Covenant Presbyterian Church pastoral staff visits the class on a monthly basis for a short devotional.
Admission
Our Preschool program is open to every family, regardless of race, religious affiliation, or social status. Children entering the three-year-old program must be three years of age by September 1 and be potty trained. Children entering the four-year-old program must be four years of age by September 1.
Our class size is approximately 15 children in each class for three-year-olds and 18 children in each class for four-year-olds.
Waiting List and Enrollment
The Preschool secretary maintains a waiting list. If you are interested in having your child attend NCCS Preschool, you may call the secretary and place your child on the list at any time after his/herbirth. No fees are required to put your child on the list. Returning parents must contact the secretary to put younger siblings on the waiting list.
The order of enrollment priority is as follows:
1.Students currently enrolled in the three-year old program
2.Siblings of students attending New Covenant Christian School
3.Members of New Covenant Presbyterian Church
4.Members of the community
Families with children currently enrolled will be given the opportunity to reserve a spot for the following year. Open registration for members of New Covenant Presbyterian Church will begin in February. During the month of February, any remaining positions will be filled according to the waiting list.
Completion of the preschool registration packet along with non-refundable registration fee of$85 secures your child’s spot in the class for the up-coming school year.
Tuition
Preschool tuition is affordable and is paid in ten monthly installments and paid through FACTS Management Company, who charges a nominal fee. Families can also pay in full if they desire. The tuition for the three-year-old program is $1,700 per year ($170 per month). The tuition for the 3 day four-year-old class is $2,300 per year ($230 per month) and the 5 day four-year-old classes is $3,000 per year ($300 per month).
Classes and Hours
Three-year-old class meets:
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:50 a.m. to 11:20 a.m.
Four-year-old classes meet at the following times:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday - 8:50 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. (3 Day)
Monday, Wednesday and Friday - 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (3 Day)
Monday through Friday - 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (5 Day)
Children should be dropped off 10-15 minutes prior to class, so that class may start promptly.
Parent Workshop and Visitation Day
In September our teaching staff will conduct a hands-on workshop where you will be oriented to the responsibilities and expectations for the school year. Parents will also receive theirParent Handbook along with other important papers that will help to make the year successful.
Preschool Visitation Day will be held on the first Saturday in September. Parents are encouraged to bring their children to visit the classroom and meet their teacher.
Gradual Entry
We have developed a gradual entry system to better facilitate your child's transition from the home to the school environment. Class times are shorter and students are divided into two groups so that they may attend the first week with their parents. Full Preschool sessions then begin the second week of school.
For More Information
Parents are welcome to visit the school, see the classroom and facilities, and observe a class in progress. To learn more about the school’s admission process, complete waiting list form or view thehandbook visit us online at If you would like to schedule a visit, please call our preschool secretary at 443-512-0771 ext. 13 or by e-mail .