2. Kyrene School District 2011-2012

3. Meet Our Staff Lori Conroy, Special Education Preschool Teacher Lori Conroy, Special Education Preschool Teacher Mary Dulin-Special Education Mary Dulin-Special Education Sara Shuster, Special Education Preschool Teacher Sara Shuster, Special Education Preschool Teacher Sandy Hill, Speech/Language Pathologist in both classrooms Sandy Hill, Speech/Language Pathologist in both classrooms Kim Cantelmo and Yvonne Pinckard full-time assistants in Lori’s class Kim Cantelmo and Yvonne Pinckard full-time assistants in Lori’s class Marita Hinojos and Karin Wade full- time assistants in Sara’s class Marita Hinojos and Karin Wade full- time assistants in Sara’s class Manitas Staff District Specialists Shari Dukes- Director of Special Education Occupational Therapist-Alex Osses Ann Pinkwasser- Physical Therapist Susan Swanson and Janet Fukuda Assistive Technology Specialist Behavior Specialist-Rene Wozniak

4. Program Description We are a language based, integrated program including children ages 3-5 who have differing abilities We provide early intervention services to children who have developmental delays and school readiness skills for all children. We provide a structured preschool experience and prepare students for school.

5. Program Philosophy ¤ young children learn best through play activities ¤ these playactivities need to be appropriate to the child’s DEVELOPMENTAL level, not necessarily the child’s AGE level ¤ these play activities need to be appropriate to the child’s DEVELOPMENTAL level, not necessarily the child’s AGE level ¤ learning is maximized when children are given the opportunity to make choices AND are provided with some adult directed activities ¤ children learn by imitation, therefore “typical” peers are an integral part of the program ¤ learning is enhanced when children can predict expectations, therefore the program utilizes a structured routine ¤ the curriculum areas addressed in the program are social, language, cognitive, fine and gross motor, and self-help skills

6. Typical Daily Schedule Opening Opening Free Play Free Play Circle Circle Small Groups Small Groups Bathroom Break Bathroom Break Gross Motor Play Gross Motor Play Snack Snack Closing Closing

7. Daily Schedule

8. Activities for Learning # Block Center # Art Center # Listening Center # Games and Puzzles # Book Center # Manipulative/Math Center # Science/Nature Center # Housekeeping Center # Computer Center # Writing Center # Phonological Awareness (ex: letter names and sounds, rhyming, beginning word sounds, sound discrimination) (ex: letter names and sounds, rhyming, beginning word sounds, sound discrimination) Cooking Music Circle Time Free Play Plan Time Snack Outside Play Sensory Library Reading Buddies Assemblies Dramatic Play

9. Pick A Place To Play

10. Social Skills/Character Education Programs Character Counts-Program to develop responsible, caring individuals. Based on six pillars of character. Trustworthiness Respect Responsibility Fairness Caring Citizenship

11. Manitas B’s Be Safe Be Respectful Be Responsible B coupons: collect five and get a certificate and name announced on announcements.

12. Assessment Assessment is on-going and can be conducted in large or small groups, as well as individually. Informal observations Checklists Anecdotal Records Language Samples Teaching Gold Assessment Standardized Tests Criterion- Referenced Tests

13. Parent/Teacher Communication Biweekly Newsletter Super Stars Phone or Email Skills or Teaching Gold Report Sound Bags Conferences, Home Visits or Family Nights

14. Role of Typical Peer  Provide appropriate models for speech and language, behavior, etc.  Develop friendships and love of learning  Participate cooperatively in a variety of pre-academic activities during which they experience many opportunities for personal growth

15. What’s In A Wednesday?!?  Home visits as needed for children with special needs  Screenings/evaluations  Placement meetings  Progress reviews  Staff development  Team Planning  District team meetings  Transition meetings with kindergarten staff

16. Impact on Elementary Schools  Provides children and families with a positive first experience in school  Prepares children for their kindergarten experience  Creates a smooth transition from preschool to kindergarten. Transition plans begin in January of each year for children with different needs.  Because not all elementary schools have preschool programs, the district is divided into preschool regions. Children are usually serviced at their home school or the school closest to their home school.

17. PTO First Meeting of the Year: Tuesday, August 30 (in the Media Center/Library) @ 6:30pm Free Childcare is Provided What is the PTO? Parent Teacher Organization PTO supports School Events, Organizes Fundraisers, Plans Community Nights and supports the teachers with supplies, materials and funds professional development opportunities.