Manistee Early Childhood Center
Kindergarten
Our traditional elementary Kindergarten classrooms will be located at the Manistee Early Childhood Center with our other young learners beginning in the fall of 2026. This full-day, curriculum-based kindergarten program is for students that turn 5 before September 1 of the upcoming school year.
View Manistee Early Childhood Center Staff
Manistee Early Childhood Center Staff
Andy Huber, Interim Principal, ahuber@manistee.org
Kindergarten Teachers
Crystal Harthun, charthun@manistee.org
Megan Lowe, mlowe@manistee.org
Cindy Lundberg, clundberg@manistee.org
Allison Veine, aveine@manistee.org
Jordan Riley, jriley@manistee.org
Student Services Teacher
Chastity Gouker, cgouker@manistee.org
Specials
Amanda Feyen, Music, afeyen@manistee.org
Cassie Miller, Physical Education, cmmiller@manistee.org
Kaitlyn Duke, Art, kduke@manistee.org
Laura Miller, Health/Wellness, lmiller@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
Stephanie Johnson, Behavioral Specialist, After School Care Assistant
Early Childhood Substitutes
Flynn Anderson, fanderson@manistee.org
Sadie Verheek, sverheek@manistee.org
Nicole Anisco, Manistee Early Childhood Program 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 Gibbs, Assistant Teacher, cgibbs@manistee.org
GSRP 2
Renee Turmel, Lead Teacher, rturmel@manistee.org
Nancy Zatarga, Associate Teacher, nzatarga@manistee.org
Ashley Johnson, Assistant Teacher, akjohnson@manistee.org
Mini Mariners (age 3-4) - 231.398.3758
Sandy Ludwig, Lead Teacher, sludwig@manistee.org
Julie Zajac, Lead Teacher, jzajac@manistee.org
Natalie Beldo, Assistant, nbeldo@manistee.org
Infant Toddler (birth to age 2.9)
Amber Hiipakka, Lead Teacher, ahiipakka@manistee.org
Associate Teacher: TBD
Morning Care Staff - 231.723.9285
Ashley Johnson, Morning Care Lead, akjohnson@manistee.org
Brenda Struble, Morning Care Lead, bstruble@manistee.org
Breanna Whitmer, Assistant, bwhitmer@manistee.org
Tiffany Bottrell, Assistant, tbottrell@manistee.org
After School Care Staff - 231.723.9285
Nicole Anciso, Lead Teacher, nanciso@manistee.org
Amber Hiipakka, Lead Teacher, ahiipakka@manistee.org
Ashlee Gazda, Assistant, agazda@manistee.org
Katie Henne, After School Care Assistant, khenne@manistee.org
Katilynn McDowell, Associate, kmcdowell@manistee.org
Jordan Riley, Associate, jriley@manistee.org
Donna Williams, Assistant, dwilliams@manistee.org
Summer Care - 231.723.9285
Nicole Anciso, Lead Teacher, nanciso@manistee.org
Amber Hiipakka, Lead Teacher, ahiipakka@manistee.org
Flynn Anderson, Care Associate, fanderson@manistee.org
Ashlee Gazda, Assistant, agazda@manistee.org
Katilynn McDowell, Associate, kmcdowell@manistee.org
Jordan Riley, Associate, jriley@manistee.org
Sadie Verheek, sverheek@manistee.org
School Custodial Team
Johnny Skocelas, Custodian, jskocelas@manistee.org
Nutrition Services
Bonnie Kruse, bkruse@manistee.org
Rich Koon, rkoon@manistee.org
WHO?
To be eligible children must be turning 5 before September 1
WHEN?
Monday – Friday
8:00 – 3:10
Transportation & Meals Provided
COST?
Tuition Free
Welcome to Kindergarten
Our Manistee Early Childhood Center is excited to welcome you to your first year of your Kindergarten to Twelfth Grade journey!
In Kindergarten students will engage in both group learning and independent practice, follow state curriculum for math and reading, and receive report cards that reflect their progress with learning standards in preparation for first grade.
The Kindergarten curriculum includes “specials” like music, art, and health.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ESI-3 Assessment?
The Early Screening Inventory, Third Edition (ESI-3) is an assessment tool that gives families a chance to share what their child can do at home. It focuses on areas like language, motor skills, and social development. Your answers help us get a fuller picture of your child’s strengths and needs, and support the best placement for their learning journey—whether that’s Kindergarten or Begindergarten. This is an assessment, not a test to pass or fail. There are no “right” or “wrong” answers—just your honest observations!
In which school building is Kindergarten held?
During the summer of 2026, the Manistee Early Childhood Center will relocate its programming from Jefferson Elementary to the former Madison Elementary building in Filer Township. Summer Care programming will be held at this new location and we will be excited to welcome students in our Pre-K through Kindergarten classes to the new building in the fall to begin the 2026/27 school year.
We are excited to share the new space. Renovations have been 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.
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.
Does Kindergarten still follow the district school year calendar?
Yes. Kindergarten at MECC follows the same start and finish dates for the school year as well as the start and finish times of the school day. Before and after care options are available for families in need of that option.
Are before & after school care options available?
Yes. Before & after school care programs are available. You can learn about those options on our Daycare page: www.manisteemariners.org/daycare/
Enrollment & Contact
Ready to Learn More?
We would love to welcome your family into our MECC community.
Email: earlychildhood@manistee.org
Call: (231) 723-9285
Location: Manistee Early Childhood Center, 515 Bryant Ave, Manistee, MI 49660