Manistee Early Childhood Center
Mini & Rising Mariners
High-quality, 3 & 4 year-old preschool experience that combines the best of school readiness with the flexibility working families need.
View Manistee Early Childhood Center Staff
Manistee Early Childhood Center Staff
Andy Huber, Interim Principal, ahuber@manistee.org
Amy Miller, Secretary, amiller@manistee.org
Kindergarten Teachers
Crystal Harthun, charthun@manistee.org
Megan Lowe, mlowe@manistee.org
Cindy Lundberg, clundberg@manistee.org
Allison Veine, aveine@manistee.org
Student Services Teacher
Chastity Gouker, cgouker@manistee.org
Specials
Amanda Feyen, Music, afeyen@manistee.org
Art: TBD
Cassie Miller, Physical Education, cmmiller@manistee.org
Parapros
Tiffany Bottrell, tbottrell@manistee.org
Kaitlyn Duke, kduke@manistee.org
Ashlee Gazda, agazda@manistee.org
Macie Miller, mgoodspeed@manistee.org
Rachel Lindeman, rlindeman@manistee.org
Behavioral Health Team
TBD:
Nicole Anisco, Child Care Director, nanisco@manistee.org
MAPS Great Start Readiness Program Staff - 231-398-3757
GSRP 1
Amy Brown, Lead Teacher, abrown@manistee.org
Brenda Struble, Associate Teacher, bstruble@manistee.org
Courtney Chandler, Assistant Teacher, cgibbs@manistee.org
GSRP 2
Renee Turmel, Lead Teacher, rturmel@manistee.org
Nancy Zatarga, Associate Teacher, nzatarga@manistee.org
Ashley Johnson, Associate Teacher, akjohnson@manistee.org
GSRP 3
Lead Teacher: Posted
Rising Mariners (age 4) - 231.398.3754
Sandy Ludwig, Lead Teacher, sludwig@manistee.org
Julie Zajac, Lead Teacher, jzajac@manistee.org
Shyan Mauntler, Assistant, smauntler@manistee.org
MiniMariners (age 3) - 231.398.3754
Sandy Ludwig, Lead Teacher, sludwig@manistee.org
Julie Zajac, Lead Teacher, jzajac@manistee.org
Shyan Mauntler, Assistant, smauntler@manistee.org
Infant Toddler (birth to age 2.9)
Amber Hiipakka, Lead Teacher, ahiipakka@manistee.org
Associate Teacher: TBD
Morning Care Staff - 231.398.3758
Renee Turmel, Lead Teacher, rturmel@manistee.org
Brenda Struble, Associate Teacher, bstruble@manistee.org
Ashley, Johnson, Associate Teacher, akjohnson@manistee.org
After School Care Staff - 231.398.3758
Nicole Anciso, Lead Teacher, nanciso@manistee.org
Natalie Beldo, Lead Teacher, nbeldo@manistee.org
School Custodial Team
Don Froncek, Head Custodian, dfroncek@manistee.org
Johnny Skocelas, Custodian, jskocelas@manistee.org
Nutrition Services
Bonnie Kruse, bkruse@manistee.org
Rich Koon, rkoon@manistee.org
WHO?
Students age 3 – Mini Mariners
Students age 4 – Rising Mariners
WHEN?
3 year olds – M/W 7:30 – 5:30
4 year olds – T/TH 7:30 – 5:30
COST?
$70 per week
Required 4 Month Commitment
Welcome to Our Mini & Rising Mariners Program
We’re excited to introduce you to the next chapter of early learning at Manistee Area Public Schools: Mini & Rising Mariners—a high-quality, full-day preschool experience that combines the best of school readiness with the flexibility working families need.
In the past, we’ve offered separate preschool and child care programs. This fall, we’re combining them into one consistent program where children can learn and grow all day long—with the same trusted adults, routines, and expectations.
Mini & Rising Mariners preschool program is built to prepare your child for kindergarten—and beyond. Our staff use the Creative Curriculum, a research-based approach that builds strong foundations in early literacy, math, and problem-solving. Every activity is designed to support the skills your child will need for school success—whether that’s learning to write their name, recognizing patterns, or building independence and confidence.
We also use TS GOLD, a professional tool that helps teachers monitor each child’s learning and development. You’ll hear more from us about your child’s progress and how we can partner to support their growth in the classroom and at home.
Most importantly, the Mini & Rising Mariners program is designed to meet the needs of our whole community—with a high-quality early learning experience that’s both academically focused and accessible to all families.
We look forward to sharing more as we prepare for the year ahead. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions—we’re here to support your child and your family every step of the way
| Traditional Preschool Model | Mini & Rising Mariners |
| Outdoor time is like playground recess | Outdoor learning is a core principle, both in the school forest and with creative loose-parts play |
| Everyone gets the same activities and group lessons | Blended “learning centers” for both group and independent learning |
| Program with fixed schedule | Open 7:30-5:30 |
| Daily schedule for carpet, story, music, etc | Daily routines blend music and movement to prepare children for Kindergarten |
| A child goes to preschool; teacher conducts learning | School and parents are partners in Kindergarten readiness using Creative Curriculum to monitor children’s learning progress |
| Adult-led ABC’s and 123’s through play and imagination. | Teachers collaborate to create experience-base learning and prompt higher-order thinking to solve problems. |
| Mrs. Ludwig preschool lead in preschool room, Mrs. Julie Zajac leading daycare in another room, children shuttled back and forth | Mrs. Ludwig and Mrs. Zajac co-teaching, children stay in one room, consistent routines |
| Snacks from home for snack time | All meals and snacks provided. Children encouraged to help prepare and serve. |
| Parent teacher conference once per semester. Door conversations at pick up/drop off. | ProCare App for direct and timely communications. Parent conferences based on TS Gold assessment ,sharing progress on developmental growth. |
| Stand alone programs, teachers work in isolation. | Programming from birth- age 7. Teachers have collaborative time to learn and share professional practice. |
MAPS Early Childhood Center FAQs
Where will the MAPS Early Childhood Center be located for the 2025/26 school year?
At the conclusion of the school year, work immediately began at the former Madison Elementary building in Filer Township in preparation for the relocation of the Manistee Early Childhood Center programming from Jefferson Elementary. As the summer has progressed, this work has met some challenges.
Although we would like to be reporting otherwise, we will continue the Manistee Early Childhood Center programming at Jefferson Elementary for the beginning of the 2025/26 school year. Because work at the new location is not yet complete, we believe meeting state licensing requirements for this new facility prior to the beginning of the school year will not be attainable. The Jefferson Elementary facility is currently compliant with licensing requirements; therefore, we can continue offering early childhood services at that building while final preparations are made at our new space.
The delay of this move will keep all preschool and kindergarten students at the Jefferson Elementary building, as well as before and after care services until we are able to finalize the new space and arrange for the move of our classrooms. We are working closely with the construction superintendent to bring this project to completion and to confirm a date for the move. Additional details will be shared as they become available.
As always, we extend gratitude to our staff for their dedication to our early childhood programs and their support and flexibility as we transition to this new space and grow the services we offer to our community.
We are excited to share the new space with you once it is complete. Renovations are being made to classrooms, playgrounds, and other amenities to provide space scaled for our youngest learners. We feel this configuration will welcome our newest Mariners and their families to the MAPS district, serving as an easily accessible and very friendly start to their learning experience.
Are before and after school daycare still an option?
Yes. Just as before, the before and after school programs will be available for the 2025/26 school year:
Morning Care for 5–12-year-olds: 7 am to start of school
After School Care for 5–12-year-olds: End of school day to 5:30. Notification of schedule required two weeks in advance.
Fee information available on the chart shown above on this page.
