Sharks took center stage at William S. Covert Elementary School as more than 100 children in the Pre-K summer program dove into an underwater-themed celebration filled with creativity, learning and plenty of ocean-inspired fun.
During “Shark Day,” students dressed in shark and other sea-animal themed outfits while exploring a variety of shark-related activities throughout the school. Inside the classrooms, the young ocean explorers created shark hats, decorated paper plates and painted printable shark sheets.
One activity allowed students to strengthen their fine motor skills by using a pencil eraser dipped in paint to fill in dozens of small holes on their shark designs. The project combined creativity with a developmental exercise that helped students practice coordination and control while making their own colorful artwork.
The shark-themed excitement continued in the gymnasium, where students participated in “crab soccer,” an energetic activity that had children moving, laughing and working together. The game added an active element to the celebration while keeping with the day’s ocean theme.
The festivities were part of the summer program’s overall “Under the Sea” theme, with activities throughout the session focused on ocean-related learning and exploration. Students also take part in educational experiences during the program, including a planned visit from the Rockville Centre Fire Department on July 29.
The Pre-K summer program, directed by Lesli Dennino, is attended by about 130 children who will enter kindergarten in the fall. The program runs Monday through Thursday from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. from July 6 through Aug. 6, with teachers and assistants guiding students through daily activities.
The children are grouped based on the district’s five elementary schools, as well as St. Agnes Cathedral School, helping them build friendships and ease the transition into kindergarten, according to Dennino.
Dennino said the program provides an important bridge between preschool and kindergarten by combining academic preparation with social development.
“It really helps to get them prepared to start kindergarten,” she said. “It’s really a readiness program, which now there’s more pre-K than there ever was before.”
Dennino added that one of the most rewarding parts of the experience is seeing the children’s enthusiasm each day.
“Seeing their smiling faces and how much they enjoy it,” she said. “Just the feedback that I get of how enjoyable it is for the students.”
