Little Bears University

Little Bears University

Thomaston Public Schools
Black Rock School
57 Branch Road, Thomaston, CT 06787
(860) 283-3040

Little Bears University is a high quality, nationally accredited, early childhood program operated by the Thomaston Public Schools.  Little Bears University is a fully integrated, community based preschool program serving children, ages 3-5, and their families.  The program provides developmentally appropriate instruction for typically developing children as well as children with developmental delays or special needs requiring specialized instruction.  The program is staffed by certified teachers, licensed therapists and paraeducators with specific training in early childhood education.  Little Bears University is FREE for Thomaston Residents.  The program is funded through Thomaston Public Schools, School Readiness Grant and Smart Start Grant. In accordance with the guidelines for participation in these state funded programs, we offer priority enrollment opportunities to those families that are at or below 75% of the state median income.  Regardless of how a child enters the program, the goals for all children are the same.  Our teachers promote active inquiry-based learning by providing opportunities in the developmental areas of social/emotional, language and literacy, mathematics, motor, cognition and daily living skills. 
Our goal is to help each child:  

  • Develop a positive self-identity, self-control, and sense of belonging  
  • Develop confidence as a learner by taking risks and learning from successes and mistakes  
  • Develop skills to work effectively in a group with respect for social and cultural diversity  
  • Use language to communicate effectively and to facilitate thinking and learning  
  • Develop phonemic awareness and experience the written word in meaningful ways  
  • Represent ideas and feelings through the arts, play, and construction  
  • Think critically, reason, and problem solve  
  • Construct and acquire knowledge through exploration and discovery of materials  
  • Gain knowledge of one’s body and be able to maintain an optimal level of health, hygiene, and fitness
  • Develop the self-help skills necessary to function as an independent member of the classroom community
Curriculum
Typical Schedule for Full Day Program
Enrollment Information

                                                                          Preschool Lottery Application Eligibility Guidelines:
                                                                                       Please read the information below carefully.


                                                The Preschool Lottery Application is available annually from January 1st to February 1st.
              Children who are age 5 on or by September 1st of the year of enrollment are not eligible for the Preschool Lottery Application.
Student Registration and the Preschool Program:  Students must register for preschool and establish residency in Thomaston, Connecticut first.  Only students who have proven residency in Thomaston, Connecticut will receive the Preschool Lottery Application.  Parents/Guardians must provide all information required in the Preschool Lottery Application in order to be eligible for the Preschool Lottery.  A completed application does not guarantee admission into Preschool.
Preschool Three Program:  The Preschool Three Program shall be open to all children who reach age three on or before the first day of September of the school year of intended enrollment. Children who reach age four or older on or before the first day of September of the school year of intended enrollment do not qualify for the Preschool Three Program. All residency and registration requirements must be met prior to enrollment.

There is an expectation that children who reach age three will be toilet-trained prior to entry into school. For children who have not completed their toilet-training at the time of the Preschool Three Program registration, a planned approach will be developed collaboratively with the child’s family which will support successful completion of toilet-training prior to entry into the Preschool Three Program. No child not yet toilet-trained at the time of the Preschool Three Program registration shall be discriminated against due to their toilet-training status.

Annually, if seats are available in the Preschool Three Program, the District shall enroll all applicants who reach age three on or before the first day of September of the school year of intended enrollment who have met all residency and registration requirements by the first day of February of the prior school year. Applicants who reach age four on or before the first day of
September of the school year of intended enrollment shall not be considered for the Preschool Three Program.

Annually, if more qualified applicants exist than the number of seats available in the Preschool Three Program, a Preschool Three Program public lottery will be held no later than the fifteenth day of February of the prior school year to determine which applicants shall be enrolled in the Preschool Three Program for the subsequent school year. Applicants not selected for enrollment through the Preschool Three Program public lottery shall be placed on the Preschool Three Program Waitlist for the school year of intended enrollment in the order drawn during the Preschool Three Program public lottery. The Preschool Three Program Waitlist shall apply to only the named school year.
Preschool Four Program:  The Preschool Four Program shall be open to all children who reach age four on or before the first
day of September of the school year of intended enrollment. Children who reach age five or older on or before the first day of September of the school year of intended enrollment do not qualify for the Preschool Four Program. All residency and registration requirements must be met prior to enrollment.

There is an expectation that children who reach age four will be toilet-trained prior to entry into school. For children who have not completed their toilet-training at the time of the Preschool Four Program registration, a planned approach will be developed collaboratively with the child’s family which will support successful completion of toilet-training prior to entry into the Preschool Four Program. No child not yet toilet-trained at the time of the Preschool Four Program registration shall be discriminated against due to their toilet-training status.

Annually, if seats are available in the Preschool Four Program, the District shall enroll all applicants who reach age four on or before the first day of September of the school year of intended enrollment who have met all residency and registration requirements by the first day of February of the prior school year. Applicants who reach age four on or before the first day of September of the school year of intended enrollment shall not be considered for the Preschool Four Program.

Annually, if more qualified applicants exist than the number of seats available in the Preschool Four Program, a Preschool Four Program public lottery will be held no later than the fifteenth day of February of the prior school year to determine which applicants shall be enrolled in the Preschool Four Program for the subsequent school year. Applicants not selected for enrollment through the Preschool Four Program public lottery shall be placed on the Preschool Four Program Waitlist for the school year of intended enrollment in the order drawn during the Preschool Four Program public lottery. The Preschool Four Program Waitlist shall apply to only the named school year.


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Start and Stop Times
School  Regular Day Early Dismissal Delayed Opening
 Black Rock School
(Preschool Full Day Program) 
 Start  8:25 a.m.
Dismissal  3:20 p.m.
  Start  8:25 a.m.
Dismissal  12:25 p.m.
2 Hour Delay
Start: 10:25 a.m.
Dismissal:  3:20 p.m.
3 Hour Delay
Start: 11:25 a.m.
Dismissal:  3:20 p.m. 
Black Rock School
(Kindergarten - Grade 3)
 Start  8:25 a.m.
Dismissal  3:20 p.m.
 Start  8:25 a.m.
Dismissal  12:25 p.m.
2 Hour Delay
Start: 10:25 a.m.
Dismissal:  3:20 p.m.
3 Hour Delay
Start: 11:25 a.m.
Dismissal:  3:20 p.m. 
 Thomaston Center School
(Grades 4 - 6)
Start  8:15 a.m.
Dismissal   3:10 p.m.
 Start  8:15 a.m.
Dismissal  12:30 p.m.
 2 Hour Delay
Start: 10:15 a.m.
Dismissal:  3:10 p.m.
3 Hour Delay
Start: 11:15 a.m.
Dismissal:  3:10 p.m. 
 Thomaston High School
(Grades 7 - 12)
 Start 7:25 a.m.
Dismissal  2:20 p.m.
Start  7:25 a.m.
Dismissal 11:59 a.m.
2 Hour Delay 
Start  9:25 a.m.
Dismissal  2:20 p.m.
3 Hour Delay
Start  10:25 a.m.
Dismissal  2:20 p.m.
Thomaston Integrated Preschool Program

Little Bears' University at Black Rock School is a NAEYC accredited program serving children ages 3-5 years old.  The language-based program provides children developmentally appropriate experiences to develop readiness skills in an active manner driven by individual strengths and interests.   


 

Thomaston Public Schools is committed to providing an educational environment where each student can shine. 

 
Black Rock School
A Nurturing Community
Where Children Are Primary!
Address
57 Branch Road
Thomaston, CT 06787
Contact Numbers
Phone: 860-283-3040
Fax: 860-283-3043
Principal
Jonathan M. Kozlak
jkozlak@thomastonschools.org