Kenan Center Education

"I have always believed firmly that a good education is the most cherished gift an individual can receive."--William R. Kenan, Jr.

Education News:
Winter 2012 Classes
Summer Music Arts Program 2011
Music Arts Program NCMEA Festival Photos
Nursery School
Nursery School Blog
WNY Young Writers' Studio Highlights Video

Kenan Center Educational Programming for Adults and Children

Winter 2012 Classes: Registration Now Taking Place

Ballroom Dancing Beginning February 1
Professional dance instructor Jackie George returns with expert guidance for beginners as well as those who want to continue developing their skills or brush up skills you haven't used in years! Classes start Wednesday, February 1, and will run for 10 weeks from 7-8 pm. Fee $55 Kenan members/$75 for non-members. Registrations can be done at the Kenan Center Business Office, M-F between 9 am and 5 pm or by phone by calling 433-2617.

Children & Music Together with Mary Dunn Beginning Week of February 6
Early learning and creativity through music for ages 3 months to 5 years. All classes incorporate American Sign Language and no additional home materials are required. Fees are due at the time of registration. Schedule is tentative, and could change depending on enrollment. For information, please contact Mary Dunn at 625-8237 or 531-3104. Registrations can be done at the Kenan Center Business Office, M-F between 9 am and 5 pm or by phone by calling 433-2617. (Please call between 9 am and 2 pm, or leave a voicemail message with your name, number, and interest in a class.) Deadline for registrations is February 2.

Winter 2012 Schedule:
Wonderfully New For ages 3 to 17 months. Monday, 5:15-6 pm and Wednesday, 10:30-11:15 am. Fee: $90 members; $100 non-members. 10 weeks beginning February 6.

The World Around Me For ages 18 months to 3 years. Monday, 6:15-7 pm; Tuesday, 9:30-10:15 am and 10:30-11:15 am; Wednesday, 9:30-10:15 am. Fee: $90 members; $100 non-members. 10 weeks beginning February 6.

Imagination For ages 3 1/2 to 5 years. Monday, 4:15-5:00 pm. Fee: $90 members; $100 non-members. 10 weeks beginning February 6.

CLASS REFUND POLICY. For all classes that students register for directly through the Kenan Center--100% refunded up to 7 days before a one-day class/workshop or first week of a multi-week class. No refunds if less than 7 days prior to the class starting date. Refunds are not issued once a student has begun attending classes or decides to drop.

This summer's Music Arts Program students demonstrate a first ever iPad orchestra playing "Hedwig's Theme" from Harry Potter; string students perform a fiddle tune.

Summer Music Arts Program

The Summer Music Arts program provides high caliber, comprehensive musicianship training for strings and band students. Daily ensemble rehearsals and small group lessons strengthen personal skills and ability on the child’s primary instrument. Students also participate in a variety of activities including music theory lessons, composition, music technology, ear training and sight singing, Orff, music history, listening lessons, along with weekly guest artists and special events.

Funding for the Summer Music Arts Program is made possible with monies from the Grigg-Lewis Foundation and from the Thelma L. and Milfred R. Beck Bequest administered by the Niagara Area Foundation.

Music Arts Program Students Perform in NCMEA Festival February, 2011
Congratulations to the 10 fifth grade MAP students who auditioned for and were selected to perform in the recent all-county music festival hosted by the Niagara County Music Educators Association. The program was held this year at Newfane Middle School. We're especially proud of the fact that because there are so few string programs in Niagara County School Districts, the MAP students filled a great need in the elementary orchestra. Photos, above, show the students in rehearsal.

Support for the acadademic year Music Arts Program is provided by
The Thelma L. and Milfred R. Bequest administered through the Niagara Area Foundation
Grigg Lewis Foundation

Kenan Center Nursery School

Barnes & Noble Bookfair To Benefit Nursery School, December 3 & 4. Do your holiday shopping while helping us to fill the Nusery School library! Purchases made December 3 or 4 between 10AM and 10PM at the Clarence store, 4401 Transit Rd., will apply to the Kenan Center bookfair--be sure to tell the bookseller when you check out! Also applicable are music, DVD, cafe, and Nook purchases, and you can use your B&N Member's Discount, as well. Shop online using bookfair ID: 10446540 at checkout, and your online purchases will also apply!

Check Out the Nursery School Blog!
For parents, friends and family--or anyone thinking about a preschool program for their 3 to 5-year-old. Go to Kenan Center Nursery School Blog and keep in touch with news provided program director and teacher, Mrs. Robin Wagner.

Purchase a Book from Our Library "Wish List!" Attached is a downloadable pdf with a list of recommended books. The list will also be available in the Kenan Center Business Office. When you purchase a book, please drop it off in the Kenan Center Business Office where it will receive a bookplate that you can sign your name as the gifter of the book. Download booklist here.

Program & Registration Information

The Kenan Center Nursery School (KCNS) program nurtures each child’s unique physical, social, and intellectual development by providing planned learning experiences. The goal of the KCNS program is for each child to develop self confidence, perseverance, sense of accomplishment and positive feelings toward learning.

Kenan Center Nursery School follows the Lockport School District calendar for all holidays and snow days. Exceptions are school district teacher conference and parent-teacher conference days. Nursery School is in session from September until mid-June.

2 Day Week for 3-Year-Olds: Tuesday & Thursday, 9:00 am—11:45 am
A fun and exciting curriculum is planned around the whole child. There is emphasis on tasks and activities that develop longer attention span, while providing opportunities to practice independent skills and foster the love of learning. Children in the class will also be exposed to colors, shapes, name recognition and much more!
*Child must be 3 by December 1st.
*Child must be fully potty trained before entering the program.

3 Day Week for 4-Year-Olds: Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 9:00 am—11:45 am
What a wonderful place for your 4-year-olds! The class uses learning centers based on fun and exciting monthly units to immerse your child into hands-on learning. Your child will become chefs, scientists, musicians, artists and authors! Your child will become familiar with numbers, letters, sounds and other independent skills necessary for a smooth transition into kindergarten.
*Child must be age 4 by December 1st.

Application and Admissions Process
The Nursery School is open to any child between the ages of 3 and 5, provided that the school can meet the needs of the child. The process begins when you submit an application form with a non-refundable application fee of $45.00 for Kenan members and $55.00 for non-members. A completed medical statement and year's tuition (or first month’s tuition installment payment), are due by August 1st. (This deadline does not apply to parents wishing to register a student after the school year has begun. Depending on openings, parents will be advised by Mrs. Wagner when the medical forms and first tuition payment are due.)

The Nursery School Director and Staff will meet students and parents prior to the start of the school year. A tour can be scheduled by calling 433-2617. There will also be open houses in April, May and September.

Download an application form for the 2011/2012 school year.
Download Medical Forms--required with application

Parent Involvement and Communication
Parent involvement is encouraged and appreciated! We have an open-door policy at our school, which means that parents are always welcome to spend the day with us! There are also opportunities for participation with many of our special programs. Some are: cooking/baking activities (weekly), guest readers (monthly), special programs/holiday celebrations and field trips.

Communication is the key to a successful early childhood experience! At KCNS we always welcome the opportunity to converse and keep families updated on happenings in your child’s life. Every month you will receive a calendar, a “what’s happening” letter and updated announcements on our nursery school blog!

Assessment reports are distributed to families in March, describing your child’s growth. There will also be one-on-one conference after the distribution of the assessment for further discussion if needed.

Tuition and Fees
Tuition for our 3-Day week students is $1,000 annually for members; $1,100 for non-members. Monthly installments are $100 for members and $110 for non-members. Tuition for our 2-Day week students is $850 for members; $950 for non-members annually. Monthly installments are $85 for members; $95 for non-members.These fees are as of May 2011.

Tuition may be paid for a full year or in monthly installments, due the 1st of each month, or the Monday following if the 1st is on a weekend, beginning August 1st. If you choose to pay in monthly installments, the last payment is due May 1st.

Payments can be made by mailing or dropping off the payment to the Business Office, which is located in the Kenan Center House from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, Monday through Friday. The Kenan Center offers discounted fees to members and a multi-child discount (please inquire).

Returning Students
Parents must submit an application form with non-refundable fee of $45 members/$55 non-members, which covers administrative costs, prior to the beginning of each school year.

Partial support for Kenan Center’s Education Programming is made possible with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, celebrating 50 years of building strong, creative communities in New York State’s 62 counties.

Western New York Writer's Studio Summer Program 2011

Check out this wonderful video with highlights from this summer's program with the Western New York Young Writers' Studio. The kids and teachers had a terrific experience being able to use the beautiful Kenan Center grounds for their work! We're so thrilled that Angela Stockman once again brought this fabulous program to the Kenan Center and look forward to its return in 2012!

Kenan Center Student Art Gallery

The Student Gallery

The Kenan Center Student Gallery, located in the community meeting room adjacent to the Taylor Theater, provides an exclusive space for the display of student artwork during the school year. The Student Gallery is one of the important ways that the Kenan Center provides the community with arts and education programming year-round. To be considered for an exhibit, teachers must submit an application detailing the theme, type of media and date preference. For additional information, call 433-2617.

Institutional Scholarship Program

The Kenan Center Institutional Scholarship Program offers 23 academic scholarships each year. These include:
Kenan Arts Council Scholarships, which go to students pursuing higher education in the arts
Kenan Center Soccer Committee Scholarships, which are given to Kenan soccer alumni pursuing higher education
Kenan Center Program Scholarships, given to young people and adults in need to allow them to participate in Kenan Center programs.

Email us to receive a brochure.