MURPHYSBORO - Look out for the smallest ones at St. Andrew Catholic School.

Under the tutelage of Casey Graham and her aides, Mary Nadolski and Kellee Ticer, 25 preschoolers enrolled this year are getting a jump start for future years that hopefully will be spent in school.

And they are keeping St. Andrew Catholic School enrollment intact with the possibility of seeing increases for years to come.

"Preschool has really boosted enrollment," said school principal Nancy Borgsmiller about preschoolers boosting total student enrollment (preschoolers through the eighth grade) to 122. "In this economy for a Catholic school, that is a good number."

St. Andrew began offering preschool instruction during the 2007-2008 school year. The total number enrolled was 18. This year, the number has increased to 25. Instructor Casey Graham said there is room for 28 students maximum for next year based on current classroom space.

"In my opinion, from what I've seen, pre-K is really good for future student development. It helps students get a heads-up on being here at school," Graham said.

Classroom space is a vital component in offering preschool instruction, she said.

Illinois public education guidelines require 35 square-feet per child. The first year preschool was offered here, a teacher's lounge was moved to another location. The space was remodeled into a preschool classroom.

During the summer, the computer lab/library was moved from a larger classroom to make way for preschoolers.

The school staff is working with school board members to find ways to find space for more expansion, Graham and Borgsmiller said.

There are 16 preschoolers who stay through the afternoon. The others leave at lunchtime. Several of the students stay beyond the afternoon in the school's extended care program, Graham said.

scott.fitzgerald@thesouthern.com

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