WELCOME TO
KINDERGARTEN AT
ST. THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC SCHOOL
At St. Thomas More Catholic School, we believe that kindergarten is more than just the first step in a child’s education—it’s the foundation for a lifelong journey of learning, faith, and discovery. Our kindergarten program is designed to nurture young learners in a safe, loving, and faith-filled environment where they can grow academically, socially, and spiritually.
A STRONG START FOR LIFELONG SUCCESS
Our full-day kindergarten program provides a balanced approach to learning, blending structured academics with hands-on experiences and creative play. We focus on developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and social-emotional skills that will set the stage for future success in school and beyond.
PERSONALIZED LEARNING & SMALL CLASS SIZES
We understand that every child learns differently, which is why our small class sizes ensure that each student receives personalized attention. Our experienced and dedicated teachers create engaging lessons that meet students where they are and encourage their individual strengths and interests.
FAITH-FILLED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
Rooted in Catholic traditions, we integrate faith into every aspect of our curriculum. Our students learn the values of kindness, respect, and service, helping them develop a deep sense of compassion and community. Daily prayer, religious education, and participation in school-wide Mass provide opportunities for spiritual growth.
BUILDING STRONG READERS: STM'S EARLY LITERACY PROGRAM
At St. Thomas More, we are committed to fostering a love for reading from the very beginning. Our comprehensive early literacy program ensures that 100% of our kindergarten students are reading by the end of the year. Using a combination of phonics instruction, guided reading, and interactive storytelling, we help children develop strong foundational skills that set them up for a lifetime of academic success. Our personalized approach allows each child to progress at their own pace while building confidence and enthusiasm for learning.
WILSON FUNDATIONS
A structured, phonics-based program that introduces students to letter-sound relationships, spelling rules, and handwriting. This method provides systematic, explicit instruction that helps young learners develop strong decoding and fluency skills.
ORTON-GILLINGHAM
A multisensory, individualized approach that is especially effective for students with dyslexia or reading difficulties. By incorporating visual, auditory, and kinesthetic techniques, it helps students break down words and improve reading comprehension.
HEGGERTY METHOD
A daily, oral phonemic awareness program that strengthens students’ ability to hear, manipulate, and understand sounds in spoken words. This early skill is essential for future reading success, as it builds the foundation for decoding and spelling.
KINDERGARTEN CURRICULUM
LANGUAGE ARTS & READING
Kindergarten is the beginning of the formative level of education. Children are in the 'learning to read' phase of their academic development. This is a critical time when students actively develop a strong literacy foundation. Utilizing a structured literacy approach, which is based on the Science of Reading, our kindergarten students receive direct, explicit instruction. This instruction has a multi-faceted emphasis on print concepts; phonological and phonemic awareness; phonics and word study; fluency; spelling and handwriting; along with reading comprehension skills and vocabulary development.
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING
Our Social Emotional Learning program, rooted in Catholic virtues and gospel teachings, emphasizes character and emotional intelligence skills. Through the lens of scripture, students are taught to navigate their emotions and relationships, thereby creating a nurturing environment that aligns with Catholic values.
HANDWRITING
Handwriting is integrated daily within our phonics instruction program. Kindergarten focuses on correct letter formation and the practice of both lowercase and uppercase letters.
MATH
There is a concentrated and gradual focus on all Kindergarten level math concepts, such as number sense, counting, patterning, and operations including addition and subtraction, as well as problem solving, measurement, and data. Our goal is to prepare students for the progressive application of these concepts in first grade.
SCIENCE
In Kindergarten, the emphasis on science aims to enhance students' scientific and critical thinking skills. This is achieved through learning activities that cover basic concepts and investigations. These include ecosystem relationships and life cycles, weather and climate, and elements of engineering. Additionally, our program integrates the STEAM club, where students collaborate with 8th-grade buddies.
SOCIAL STUDIES
Social Studies in Kindergarten explores historical knowledge by studying the self, others, rules, needs and wants, as well as different cultures. This approach broadens students' understanding of the past and present, fostering a sense of interconnectedness with the world around them.
RELIGION
Faith formation is seamlessly integrated into the Kindergarten curriculum, as the Catholic faith guides all subject areas. Students learn about God, the teachings of the Catholic Church, and the life of Jesus through prayer, liturgy, and acts of service. This integration fosters a deep connection between their academic and spiritual development. In our learning, we see God’s hand at work.
ART - SPANISH - LIBRARY - MUSIC - PE & HEALTH - TECHNOLOGY
ART
Art education is an integral part of the K-8 curriculum at St. Thomas More. Our program enriches the educational experience by nurturing creativity and stimulating students' imaginations. Through exploring a variety of art materials, students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They grow in respect for the similarities and differences in artistic expression found across various time periods, cultures, and world-views. This understanding is deepened by studying artworks from prehistoric, historic, contemporary, and futuristic period.
HOT LUNCH & AFTER CARE
MORE CARE
After school care is an optional service offered for the convenience of our school families Monday through Friday. More Care provides a safe, loving environment for our students after school. It is a fully accredited, nonprofit service that is licensed by the Child Care Division of Oregon.
The first hour is focused on completing class assignments and the remaining time enjoying indoor and outdoor activities.