To accommodate a growing enrollment at Trinity, a new day care facility and an improved middle school program now serve the needs of students from the youngest to the oldest.
With an approximate 25 percent increase in enrollment over the past five years, Trinity, which is in its 128th year in existence, has more than 170 students enrolled in preschool through grade eight.
To better serve the needs of area families, Trinity Christian Day Care opened four years ago at the school. The center moved in August into a building formerly occupied by SNAP Fitness next to the school. The move freed up space in the school for the pre-school and 4K programs and provided more room for the center.
“It has been much better for us,” said day care director Kerri Zamzow. “We have a lot more room. It makes it nice to have the space all to ourselves.”
Open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, the center accepts children ages three to five and also hosts a summer program for children ages three to 12. The center averages approximately 40 children per day and has an enrollment of more than 70 students.
“It increased since we moved into our new building,” Zamzow said. “The biggest draw that sets us apart is that we only charge when the kids are here. If a child is sick you don’t have to pay.”
Children in the center follow the same curriculum as the 4K classes with time set aside for activities, play and rest. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are provided throughout the day.
“We follow the same subject theme that the 4K class has,” Zamzow said. “Nineteen of our students go to 4K.”
One of the most important features of the center is its close proximity to the school. Staff members can drop off and pick up students in pre-school and 4K and walk the children to and from class.
“Because the children are in and out of class all day, it’s a pretty easy transition for them to start school here,” Zamzow said. “They know the cooks and they know the secretary and they know where everything is. When they start school the move is easy for them.”
Transitioning from an elementary school environment to a middle school concept, the upper grades at Trinity have more than 40 students in grades five through eight. Three teachers are assigned to the middle school with possibly a fourth being added next year.
“We have really changed from having an elementary concept three or four years ago to more of a middle school concept,” said Principal Kathy Yahr. “We are retaining the majority of our middle school students.”
Homeroom, moving from class to class and the addition of lockers and a Student Council has made the middle school program an enjoyable experience for students at Trinity.
“The program meets their needs better now,” Yahr said. “They have different teachers for different classes and they have the leadership opportunities like the Student Council that are important to students of that age.”
Georgia Gustafson teaches phy ed and math at the middle school level and also coaches the volleyball team and officiates at home basketball games. She recently started the Peer Tutoring program.
“The teachers teach to their strengths,” said Gustafson, who often takes her phy ed classes to Riverside Athletic Club to participate in the Parisi Speed School and swimming. “We are hoping to incorporate four teachers next year and hope to diversify a bit more.”
Bryce Dresen, a sixth grader at Trinity, likes the added responsibilities and opportunities he has in the middle school program. He is active in the Student Council, Safety Patrol and Peer Tutoring as well as having a role in the up-coming play.
“It is different in the middle school,” he said. “In sixth grade we get lockers and that’s kind of neat and we are allowed to be in Student Council and Safety Patrol. It’s a privilege and an honor. Going to Trinity has been a blessing to me.”
A tuition assistance program at Trinity and equal tuition for both members and non members of the church make attending Trinity an affordable option, Yahr said. Tuition for students who can’t afford to pay will be taken care of by donations from individuals in the congregation.
“We never will let money stop children from coming here,” Yahr said. “We don’t want to set up barriers. We want to make people feel welcome and wanted here. It’s all about sharing the love of Christ.”