Preschool & Kindergarten Roundup!

Everyone is invited to hear about and experience our early elementary programs and meet our teachers. Mark your calendars for a virtual meeting on Wednesday, April 14, at 6:00 pm.

https://meet.google.com/nvu-wgoa-gwb

If you're unable to join us in-person, all of the information you need is on this newsletter and you can call us with questions, 989-635-7427.

Please give us a call and arrange for your personal tour of our building, 989-635-7427. We would love the opportunity to show your family around our building and campus as well as answer any questions you have about our program options.

In order to successfully register for Kindergarten & preschool, please have the following documents available for us to make a copy:

1. Birth certificate

2. Immunization records

3. Proof of residency (utility bill; parent's driver's license)

We are finalizing the details and will soon offer paperless registration through Skyward. No more hand numbing stacks of papers to complete. Current families will need to update their information in Skyward and new families will initiate the application process by accessing our district’s New Student Online Enrollment Portal site (coming soon). Detailed information is coming soon!

Preschool families, if you would like an electronic enrollment packet for your 3 or 4 year old, email your child's name and birth date to nicole.albertson@marletteschools.org.

We will screen our current 4 year old preschoolers and Young 5's students during their normal school day. Students who are brand new to us will need to setup an appointment for Friday, May 28th, in order to participate in a short screener that will help us make the best possible recommendation for placement for the 2021-22 school year.

There are many names for this transitional program- begindergarten, developmental kindergarten, and of course Young 5's. Think about each grade level as a stone going across a stream. Some students are able to step right across from preschool (or home) and into Kindergarten with no problem, but some students benefit from another year of growth in order to feel successful in Kindergarten. The stepping stone between preschool and Kindergarten is Young 5's. After the Kindergarten readiness assessment, we will make a recommendation based on our observations, testing, and your input.

Hello Families,

I am Nicole Albertson, the lead teacher in the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP), and the Preschool Program Director at Marlette Elementary. This is my 4th year of teaching for Great Start. After I graduated from Ferris State University with a Bachelors in Elementary Education, my husband and I had the opportunity to move to Iowa, for his career. There, I worked in Early Childhood with infants to preschoolers, for 3 years. We moved back to Michigan, and for the next 6 years, I was a stay-at-home mom to Peyten and Jackson. Once my youngest hit preschool, I was ready to get back into teaching. I attended Baker College to get my ZS Endorsement in Early Childhood/ Special Education. I was very fortunate to join Marlette Elementary in 2017, where I can see my own children throughout my day.

My name is Luann Holcomb. I work in the Great Start Readiness Program as an assistant. I have been in the GSRP classroom for two years. I joined Marlette Community Schools in 2016 working in the Special Education department as a one-on-one paraprofessional. I live in Marlette with my husband Mike and our 3 sons Michael, Tyler, & Jonathan. We have two dogs, Rascal and Coco.

Hello, my name is Rachelle Jones. I am an assistant in the GSRP. I am currently attending the University of Phoenix where I am pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. I live in Marlette with my husband (Mike) and our three children (Madison, Michael, and Matthew).

Hello Families!

I am Heather Marshall and I am one of the classroom teachers in the tuition preschool. I am finishing up my fifth year of teaching preschool. Previously I taught third and fourth grade for almost seven years before taking time off to be a stay at home mom. I graduated from Taylor University where I earned a BS in Elementary Education. I have wanted to be a teacher since I was a little girl. I even had a chalkboard and bulletin board in my room while growing up! My husband is a teacher and coach, and we have three children. Our oldest daughter and son attend Bethel University and are studying to be teachers and our youngest son is a sophomore in high school. I enjoy reading, coffee, traveling, and making people smile. I look forward to meeting you soon!

HI! My name is Tiffany Brooks and I have taught Marlette Tuition Based Preschool since the program began in September of 2008. I am a graduate of Marlette Schools and obtained an Associates in Early Childhood Degree from Delta College. I am also the director of our Red Raider Care daycare program which runs before and after school. I have 2 children. My daughter graduated from Marlette and my son will graduate with the class of 2022. I love forming bonds with the children of Marlette and look forward to meeting your family!

Hello Marlette Families,

I am Ms. Toccarra Wilkins and I have been teaching Head Start for 17 years. The past eight years I have been privileged to teach Head Start in Marlette! Prior to that I taught Head Start for nine years in Caro. I graduated from SC4 with an associates in Early Childhood and from Spring Arbor University with a bachelors in Family Life Education with an early childhood endorsement. I have two very busy daughters and I enjoy reading, watching my girls in their extracurricular activities and spending time with my family. I look forward to meeting you soon!

Hi! I’m Mrs. Curtis and I am the Young Fives teacher at our great school. I love teaching this age because they are so excited to come to school. I have been teaching at Marlette Elementary for eleven years. I taught kindergarten for 3 years and the rest has been as the Young Fives teacher. Marlette Elementary has an innovative group of early elementary teachers that I feel lucky to be a part of. When I’m not in the classroom I like to hangout with my family and friends, read, go camping, scrapbooking, and baking. I look forward to meeting you and your child soon.

Greetings,

I am Ms. Helene Kraft and I have been teaching in Marlette for 22 years. First as a Science Teacher (special/exploratory) half a day, then added KID (Kindergarten in Development) half day, and moved to all-day kindergarten where I am presently and continue to enjoy! I have also taught in Del Rio, Texas, and in Germany for the Department of Defense Dependent Schools (DoDDS) making my teaching career totaling 30+ years. I graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelors in Elementary Education and have a Masters of Early Childhood from Saginaw Valley State University. I have three children who have flown the coop and one granddaughter. I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, walking, gardening, and sewing. I look forward to meeting you!

Hello Families,

I am Ms. Tabithia Laursen and I have been teaching here at Marlette for 8 years. I first taught two years of Young Five’s, then moved to Kindergarten where I have taught for five years with one year of First Grade in between. This is my favorite age level to teach because I love to witness the joy of learning with my students. I graduated from SVSU with a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and an Early Childhood endorsement. I have one daughter who is in her first year of college at Port Huron's Culinary Institute working towards a degree in baking and pastry. When I am not spending time with her I love to read, go for walks, and spend time with my extended family. I can’t wait to meet you all!!

Hello,

I am Mrs. Redman, the Marlette Elementary School secretary. I have been the secretary here for over 20 years. I am married and have four grown children. My husband and I and our children all went to Marlette Schools. I am looking forward to meeting our new little ones and their families enrolling for the first time. If you ever have a question, please call. I know it's not always easy sending your kids to school for the first time. We are very fortunate to have a wonderful staff at Marlette Elementary School. You can be assured your children will be in good hands while they are at school. See you soon!

Hello,

My name is Raeann Gentner and I am the school social worker at Marlette Elementary. This will be my fourth year at Marlette and I am happy to have found an awesome school family here! I graduated from University of Michigan earning a Masters of Social Work (MSW) degree. I have one son, who is almost three years old and another baby on the way! As a family we love being outdoors more than anything! We especially love camping, exploring, and going to the beach. I can't wait to welcome you to our school family!

Hello Families! I am in my eighth year as the principal at Marlette Elementary School. I previously taught 1st-4th grades in Florida before returning home to Marlette. As a Marlette graduate, I am proud to work with the best early educators and love being able to see my own first and second grader grow so much every year. We are all excited to meet you and know you will love being a Red Raider! I am available if you have any questions or concerns,

810-650-4532 or jvislosky@marletteschools.org.

#RedRaiderNation

Educating, inspiring, and preparing individuals for their future.

Email: jvislosky@marletteschools.org
Website: www.marletteschools.org
Location: 6230 Euclid Street, Marlette, MI, United States
Phone: 989-635-7427
Facebook: facebook.com/mesraiders
Twitter: @mesraiders