Preschool
BVSD offers a tuition-based preschool at Fireside to serve children who turn 3 or 4 years old before October 1st. We also offer expertise and guidance to families who need financial assistance or to those who have children with special needs. This half-day program, AM (8:00 am-10:45 am) and PM (11:45 am-2:30 pm), is available Tuesdays through Fridays during the BVSD school-year calendar.
The Fireside Preschool is designed to meet the physical, emotional, social, intellectual, and language developmental needs of students utilizing developmentally appropriate classroom practices. The teaching strategies employed in the preschool recognizes that young children learn through active explorations and interactions with responsive adults, other children, and open-ended experiences which provide rich opportunities for learning - all in an active, fun, play-based environment.
For more information on the BVSD preschool program, curriculum, tuition, enrollment, and resources, please visit the BVSD Early Childhood Education Website. Please contact Fireside's Community Liaison or additional questions regarding our school's program and/or enrollment.
Meet our Preschool Teachers & Staff
Jessica Ferona
Jessica Ferona
PSE Supervisor for Fireside Elementary
Education and Experience:
Associate of Arts degree with an emphasis in psychology from Front Range Community College
Studied Cognitive Psychology and Human Development at the University of Colorado Boulder
Current Large Center Director Certification
I’ve spent over 12 years teaching PreK/Kindergarten for a private school here in Louisville and these past 2 years as the Preschool Enrichment Supervisor for Lafayette Elementary. This is my first year as the Preschool Enrichment Lead at Fireside and I feel so lucky to be here and part of this community!
I currently live in Louisville with my 3 beautiful children Lylah age 14 a freshman at Monarch, Jack 11 a 6th grader at LMS and my youngest Grace who is 15 months. When I am not working, you can find us around town! We are quite the adventure seekers!
Candace Garbow
I am honored to join the Fireside family as Community Liaison!
I was born in Fairbanks, Alaska but moved to Minnesota after finishing elementary school. Those are two gorgeous - but very cold - states! I moved with my husband, Zack, to Colorado in 2011. We could not have picked a more beautiful place to call home and start our family.
My background is in electrical engineering and long ago, I did chip design for IBM. I resigned from IBM to work for Zack's startup. Once I had Amelie, I became a stay at home parent. In 2021, I felt inspired to substitute teach within BVSD so I could help our teachers during such a difficult year. Little did I know subbing would lead me here and I am so grateful!
I have two Fireside Falcons: Amelie (3rd grade) and Cade (1st grade). Amelie is a delightful little girl who loves to draw, read, play soccer and listen to Hamilton. Cade is a sweetie pie guy that loves Legos, sharks, crafting and reading.
In my free time, I love to run, read and nap...usually in this order.
Wendy Johnson
I am so excited to be joining the amazing preschool team at Fireside this year! I have been with Fireside the last 4 years as a kindergarten para and so enjoy the connections I have made with kids and families through the years.
I have 3 great kids. Jules (21 ) and Vivian (19 ) are attending college at CSU, Greta (15) is at Monarch highschool.
When I am not at school, my favorite activities are riding bikes with friends and running with my dog Harvey.