4K & Early Childhood
715-261-0265
Fax - 715-261-2157
720 South 6th Ave
Wausau, WI 54401
Kara Rakowski
4K Principal/Early Childhood
Jessica Napiwocki
Administrative Assistant
The heart of the Wausau School District Four-Year-Old Kindergarten Program is its strong developmentally appropriate curriculum delivered by caring, talented teachers specifically trained to teach young children. The experiential instruction prepares children for the opportunities and challenges of kindergarten and beyond.
Our Early Childhood Program serves children between the ages of three and five years who exhibit developmental delays. The District’s Four-Year-Old Kindergarten Program and associated 4K Collaboration Program provide integrated language, problem solving and decision making, and literacy instruction to four-year-olds throughout our community. Children are able to participate in these programs at the District’s 4K Learning Academies located at the Lincoln Early Learning Academy, Riverview Early Learning Academy, Wausau Area Montessori Charter School, Red Granite Charter School, or at a variety of community partner childcare sites across the District.
- Letter from Our 4K & Early Childhood Program Principal
- 4K & Early Childhood Mission, Vision, and Core Beliefs
- 4K Sites
- 4K Curriculum Overview
- 4K FAQ
- 4K School Supply List
Letter from Our 4K & Early Childhood Program Principal
Dear Wausau School District Families,
The 4K & Early Childhood staff welcomes you to our programs. I am thrilled to serve as the 4K principal & Early Childhood Coordinator. It is a privilege to lead this learning community during a time of incredible change and tremendous possibilities. Thank you for choosing our program and for the trust you place in us to care for and nurture your child. We are a proud, dedicated, and experienced staff who feel privileged and excited to be part of your first experience in the Wausau School District.
Our program mission is “to provide every child with the foundation to become a lifelong learner through school, family and community partnerships in a safe, caring and enriching environment.”
Our outstanding 4K & Early Childhood staff and I are eager to partner with you to prepare your child for future school success. You will find that we value both the social and academic development of our students. There are many components in getting students “ready to learn.” Children need to know how to communicate their feelings, understand others’ feelings, figure out ways to solve their problems, and make friends. Learning occurs best when our lives are orderly and predictable. Learning routines like how to walk in the hallways, play on the equipment safely, and wait for your turn are all precursors to an organized environment that builds a sense of confidence and security. Finally, helping your child understand and follow our five simple rules is a great way to convey what is expected of them. The rules are great for use at home or school, and we recommend giving specific praise when the rules are followed:
- Take care of your things
- Follow directions
- Quiet voice inside
- Be kind to others
- Keep feet and hands to yourself
Our academic content contains a combination of structured and play-based activities designed to be fun and engaging. Our curriculum is based on current research on the early literacy skills that are linked to successful readers. Like the Wausau School District’s elementary K-5 staff, our teachers have advanced training in best practices for both academic (literacy, math, etc.) and social skills. Because of our components of high-quality instruction and advanced training in social skills instruction, our 4K program has been a state demonstration site for other teachers to observe.
The 4K & Early Childhood Programs pride themselves on the school spirit that our active staff, volunteers, and parents create and maintain. We believe that all of us – the school and the community – must work together in an extended family environment to ensure success for all our students. We believe it is everyone’s responsibility to empower children with the creative, intellectual, and decision-making skills necessary for them to become academically, socially, physically, and emotionally successful and responsible.
As the demands and complexities of teaching children increase, it becomes more evident that we all need to work together to ensure that our children reach their potential. To our parents and community, it is essential that you take an active role in our students' success. I encourage you to get involved right away. There is always an opportunity to lend a hand in a myriad of ways. Our parents, teachers, students, and staff work hard to create a respectful, responsible, and safe environment.
With that in mind, you are invited to be an active participant in our 4K programs. Whether you are a classroom volunteer, a member of the PTO, attend our monthly parents at school activity, or participate in our parent-child after-school activities, you are encouraged to be involved. Research on schools clearly demonstrates that parent participation in their child’s school coincides with a greater likelihood of academic success for their child.
It is our desire to keep you informed of all that is taking place at school. We will provide you up-to-date information via your child’s take-home folder, phone calls, group emails, and our bi-weekly newsletter.
Serving as the District 4K principal & Early Childhood Coordinator is as great an honor as it is a responsibility. I believe that the foundation of our future accomplishments is to continue to provide our students with academic experiences that are rigorous and relevant, and that build lasting relationships. It is important that everyone who steps through our doors – staff, students, parents, and community members – are excited to be here. This attitude will allow us to embrace and meet the challenges of academic excellence in a positive and nurturing environment. I look forward to meeting and working with you all.
As we begin this new journey together, we look forward to helping develop your child’s social, emotional, academic, and motor skills. Please let us know how we can partner with you in meeting the needs of your child. If you have questions or concerns that arise at any time, please do not hesitate to give your child’s teacher, the site Principal/Director or me a call. I look forward to developing a positive, rewarding relationship with you and your family.
With your help we can realize our 4K & Early Childhood vision of “I LEARN” which is to provide “Individualized Learning in an environment that is Engaging, Active, Reflective, and Nurturing that includes high expectations for all with family and community collaboration.”
We welcome you as part of our 4K & Early Childhood family!
Sincerely,
Kara Rakowski,
4K Principal & Early Childhood Coordinator, and the 4K & EC staff
4K & Early Childhood Mission, Vision, and Core Beliefs
4K Sites
The 4K & Early Childhood Programs office will be located at
the Lincoln Early Learning Academy, 720 S. 6th Avenue, Wausau beginning with the start of the 2025-26 school year.
Please call us with any questions about the registration process at 715-261-0265.
Please note that Wausau School District Kindergarten placement will be at your neighborhood school regardless of where your child attends 4K. 4K Learning Academy attendance is based upon home address and/or child care address.
Yog koj xav tau kev pab txhais lus, thov hu, 715-261-0265.
Si usted requiere de servicios de traducción por favor llame al teléfono 715-261-0265.
Wausau School District 4K Learning Academies
Busing is available at elementary school sites with some qualifications
Lincoln Early Learning Academy
4K & Early Childhood Programs Office
720 S. 6th Avenue
Wausau, WI. 54401
715-260-0265
Riverview Early Learning Academy
4303 Troy Street
Wausau, WI. 54403
715-261-0030
Wausau School District Charter Schools
These programs follow a separate 4K curriculum
Wausau Area Montessori
Charter School
3101 North 13th Street
Wausau WI 54403
715-261-0795
Wausau WI 54403
715-261-0795
Red Granite
Charter School
150801 Robin Ln, Wausau, WI 54401
Located within Rib Mountain Elementary School
Wausau School District Community 4K Sites
Busing is available at elementary school sites with some qualifications
Mountain View
Montessori
1500 Merrill Avenue
Wausau WI 54401
715-298-3832
Newman Catholic
St. Michael
615 Stark Street
Wausau WI 54403
715-848-0206
Wausau Child Care - West
505 North 28th Avenue
Wausau WI 54401
715-848-1437
4K Curriculum Overview
Children learn through exploring and play! There is a great deal of new research indicating that the skills we teach and when we teach them are critical to a child’s success in reading and his/her ability to regulate his own feelings and make friends as well as all developmental areas. Because of rapid brain development, this critical learning has to take place as early as possible through the partnership of parents and teachers. In early childhood programming, children are provided with opportunities to explore and apply new skills through child and teacher initiated activities. We use the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards as the foundation to the Wisconsin Common Core State Standards and our Wausau School District Program Goals to guide our curricular and assessment decisions. The following is a summary of curriculum components:
Happily Ever After: This literacy component of our curriculum is rooted in solid, current research. Each three week unit consists of 10 lessons that are designed to prepare children for future reading success. “Take-home” books are sent home with each story. You will get parent letters with each unit giving you ideas to practice skills at home.
Heggerty Phonemic Awareness: The Heggerty Pre-Kindergarten curriculum uses nursery rhymes to introduce preschool students to language play. The lessons include eight phonological and phonemic awareness skills, taught in a systematic progression. Learners develop alphabet knowledge through daily practice with an alphabet song and letter name and sound practice. Nursery rhymes are taught each week so that by the end of preschool students have built a repertoire of classic nursery rhymes as they learn to enjoy language play!
Handwriting Without Tears: This is our handwriting curriculum. Research supports the active teaching of writing as it is an expression of what we are thinking and reading and builds fine motor skills.
The Pyramid Model-Social Emotional Foundations of Early Learning (SEFEL):
Our staff has advanced training in helping children to identify and regulate their emotions, problem solve their frustrations, and follow rules and expectations. You will hear a lot about “Tucker Turtle”!
Nursery Rhymes: As part of our curriculum, we use traditional nursery rhymes and fingerplays. Nursery rhymes also greatly enrich young children’s vocabularies and supply some early lessons in the ways our language works and encourages thinking skills.
Assessments: Our students are checked regularly on benchmarks in all areas of development and assessed specifically on vocabulary development, social emotional development and a fall and spring 4K Development Assessment. In addition, the state of Wisconsin requires that every student in 4K be monitored through a literacy screener. Wausau School District teachers use myIGDIs to identify students at risk of developing reading difficulties, diagnose students' knowledge of literacy fundamentals, monitor progress, and plan instruction that targets students' needs.
4K FAQ
1. What time is school in session?
AM session: 8:25 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
PM session: 11:40 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
2. What are the procedures when my child rides the bus?
If your child is riding the bus, please remember that the bus may be late the first few days. If for any reason your child will not be riding the bus on a particular day, please call First Student at 715-842-2268. They will notify the driver that your child will not be riding; calling saves time and fuel. Please be ready at least 10 minutes before your scheduled pickup time. The times can vary due to absent students. When your child is dropped off, an adult must meet the bus. Again, be waiting for the bus at least 10 minutes before the scheduled drop-off time. If an adult is not present, the child will be returned to school and the parent will need to pick the child up at the 4K Academy. We understand that emergencies may arise, but being brought back to school is extremely stressful for the child. If your child is returned to school two times, we will ask you to come in for a meeting with the principal and social worker to brainstorm solutions for a smooth bus ride home for your child.
If you have moved or changed daycare providers since completing the bus request form, please contact the 4K & EC Programs office at the Lincoln Early Learning Academy at 715-261-0265 so we can update your address and notify the bus company.
Due to the time it takes First Student to set up routes, no busing changes or additions will be made from August 8 until September 12. Parents of students who enroll during this time period will need to transport their child until busing arrangements can be arranged.
After September 12, bus changes may be made. Please allow one week from the time we get the paperwork until the bus arrangements are made.
3. How can I add or change busing for my child?
Please make all busing requests through the 4K & EC Programs office at Lincoln Early Learning Academy at 715-261-0265. Please do not call First Student.
Information for any bus changes can be taken over the telephone. Remember any daycare must be located in our transportation/attendance areas assigned to your 4K site.
4. What are the procedures when I transport my child?
Many parents choose to transport their child to the 4K Learning Academy. If you choose to do so, please make sure your child is at school by the start time (8:25 am or 11:40 am) to avoid loss of valuable instructional and learning time for your child. Parents must accompany their child into and out of school during pickup and drop off times. If you are dropping your child off, doors will be open five minutes prior to start time, i.e. 8:20 a.m. and 11:35 a.m. Please wait in the designated spot with your child until a school adult supervisor is available. The parent may then leave and the supervisor will walk the children to their classrooms. Please provide supervision for all children in your care and do not leave children unattended in vehicles.
If you are picking your child up from school, the doors will be unlocked five minutes prior to dismissal, 10:55 a.m. and 2:10 p.m. Please wait in the designated spot and a school staff will bring the children to that area at dismissal time. Please do not go to the classroom for your child as it creates confusion and congestion in the hallways. For the safety of you and your child, please avoid crossing between parked buses and always use the crosswalk.
When the school day starts, the doors are locked and you will be buzzed in at the main entrance only. All visitors are required to check in at the office and put on a visitor badge before proceeding anywhere in the building. It is our policy that every visitor must check in at the office and wear a visitor badge except during pickup and drop-off times.
5. What is the emergency school closing plans for 4K?
When it is necessary to close school during the middle of the day, school closing or delay information will be sent to you via School Messenger®, the District's electronic notification system, and announced over radio and television stations. Parents of 4K students are responsible for picking up their child at the Learning Academy. Students will not be transported by bus. In the event there is a 2-hour delay, all pre-school classes are canceled.
6. Will my child go outside every day?
YES! PLEASE DRESS YOUR CHILD FOR OUTSIDE RECESS EVERY DAY! Research has provided evidence of the far-reaching power of regular exercise in improving the learning and emotional and physical well-being of students. Regular exercise creates an environment in which the brain is ready, willing, and able to learn. If it is cold or rainy, we will use the gross motor area as a substitute.
7. What is I want to pick up my child early?
All visitors, including parents, are required to register in the office before going to visit a classroom. If you wish to pick your child up early, please stop into the office to check your student out of school.
8. What if my child is sick?
Please call First Student at 715-842-2268 (if your child rides the bus) and call the school office to report your child’s absence. We need to know how long you think your child will be out of school and the reason for the absence.
9. Can I volunteer?
WE NEED and APPRECIATE ALL VOLUNTEERS. You may volunteer once during the school year or on a regular basis. Volunteers are an integral part of an efficient, high-quality school. This also gives your child the message that “school is an important place to be.” You can access the volunteer sign-up here. Any time you can afford contributes to our school success!
10. How can I learn more about what my child is doing in school?
Parents are welcome to talk with teachers, 4K principal or building principal if they have any questions. To reach the 4K principal call the 4K & EC Programs office at 715-261-0265. Watch for the 4K CONNECTION, the 4K newsletter, every other week. In addition, you will be invited into your child’s classroom every month to observe a lesson and participate in an activity with your child. This has been an extremely popular activity for both parents and students.
The Wausau School District has a “phone messenger” system that will call you and leave a voice message with any emergency information or reminders. You may receive messages from both the 4K Learning Academy and the school building.
11. What other educational opportunities are offered?
As part of the 4K program, we offer over 90 hours of opportunities for families to learn more about their child’s development as well as fun parent-child activities around the community. Please watch for email and phone messages regarding these activities.
12. What about snacks?
To comply with our district snack policy in regulating the ingredients of snacks, we ask parents to pay a $40.00 fee and we purchase the snacks. If you choose to celebrate your child’s birthday at school please consider sending a non-food birthday treat. Any food items sent for sharing must contain an ingredient label, be nut free, and made in a nut free facility. Items that are determined to place children’s health at risk will be discarded or returned to parents.
3. Can my child go to 4K for two years?
Please note that 4K programming is intended for one year only. Requesting a second year of 4K is considered retention and will be subject to Wausau School District policy that requires a case-by-case approval. Thank you for planning accordingly.
14. What supplies does my child need?
EARLY CHILDHOOD SUPPLY LIST
Class meets 5 days a week = $40.00
4 glue sticks (jumbo size preferred)
2 large box of facial tissue
Backpack large enough to hold a folder
Extra change of clothes for your child labeled with name in Zip-lock bag
Diapers/wipes for your child to have at school (if needed)
Student activity fee for the entire year. This covers a daily snack and two field trips. Cash or check made out to the “WSD 4K & Early Childhood Programs”. The snack fee can be dropped off in the office or given to your child’s teacher.
Class meets 5 days a week = $40.00
Class meets 4 days a week = $35.00
Class meets 3 days a week = $30.00
Class meets 2 days a week = $25.00
Class meets 1 day a week = $20.00
4K SUPPLY LIST
1 4-oz. bottle of white glue
1 box of crayons, 24 count
1 watercolor set, 8 color count
1 container of playdough (any color)
1 package of washable markers (pip-squeak preferred)
1 large box of facial tissues
1 3-pack of glue sticks - (jumbo size preferred)
Large backpack, big enough to hold a two-pocket folder (which we will supply) and snow pants for winter. Please avoid wheeled backpacks for safety reasons
Extra set of clothing in a zipper storage bag with child’s name printed on bag
$40.00 student activity fee for the entire year (if writing a check, make payable to the "WSD 4K & EC Programs"). This covers a daily snack and field trips.
4K School Supply List
1 - Backpack
4 - Glue Sticks (jumbo size prefered)
1 - Bottle of white glue (4 oz.)
1 - Box of Crayons (24)
2 - Box of markers (10 assorted colors)
4 - Playdough containers (any color)
2 - Watercolor sets, 8 count
2 - Box of Tissues
1 - Box of quart sized zip closing bags
1 - Box of gallon sized zip closing bags
1 – Water bottle (label with name)
1 - Extra change of clothes (label with name, place in clear plastic bag)