Montville Integrated Preschool Program
Handbook
(Revised 10/08)
The Program
The Montville Integrated Preschool provides a developmentally appropriate curriculum based on the Connecticut Preschool Framework. Qualifying Montville preschoolers receive special education and related services within the confines of an early childhood setting. The program includes typically developing peers who serve as role models, particularly in the areas of language and social skills. The Montville Integrated Preschool is currently located at Oakdale Elementary School. There is no cost to families. Transportation is provided to children with special needs only.
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Mission Statement
The Montville Integrated Preschool is committed to:
á Providing a safe, nurturing environment in which children can learn
á Creating opportunities for children to explore developmentally appropriate activities
á Facilitating development and learning in all areas (pre-academic, language, social-emotional, fine and gross motor)
á Encouraging family participation in their child's education
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Preschool Curriculum
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The Montville Integrated Preschool curriculum focuses on increasing language, self-help skills, play, motor and social skills in a developmentally appropriate setting. The content is engaging and challenging for children of diverse developmental levels. Goals are aligned with the Connecticut Framework for Preschool.
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Child Find
Federal regulations require that all handicapped children, birth to 21 years of age, be located, evaluated and identified. A school district's responsibility in Child Find for ages birth to three is to refer children to the state's Birth to Three system. The Montville Integrated Preschool is committed to providing free and appropriate educational opportunities to disabled students. The program has three methods for locating and identifying children with special needs:
- Group developmental screenings
- Parent referral to Director of Special Services office
- Birth to Three referrals
If you have concerns regarding your child's development, please call:
Donna M. Maynard
Director of Special Services
Office of the Superintendent
Old Colchester Road
Oakdale, CT 06370
(860) 848-1228
Director of Special Services
Office of the Superintendent
Old Colchester Road
Oakdale, CT 06370
(860) 848-1228
Continuum of Services: Special Education
For children who are identified as having special needs that impact their education, the Planning and Placement Team determines which placement is most appropriate to deliver education in the least restrictive environment. A continuum of services is used to guide the placement selection. The continuum is as follows:
Regular education consultation. Children attending private nursery schools in the area, who do not require direct services, may qualify for consultation to the nursery school staff. Indirect special education services are provided through consultation with the regular education teacher, who provides instruction within the regular classroom.
Speech and language services only. This placement is appropriate for children who can receive an appropriate education through direct services from a speech and language pathologist. These students do not participate in the preschool program.
Preschool special needs programming. This placement is appropriate for children who demonstrate through testing or diagnosis an educational need for classroom support. The amount, type, and intensity of programming are determined by educational need.
The Typical Peer Program
The Montville Integrated Preschool includes typically developing peers to serve as role models for children with developmental delays. Placement is made according to programming needs. Preference is given to four year olds. There is no tuition charged to typical peers; however, transportation is not provided.
Parents interested in having their child attend the program as a typical peer need to schedule an appointment for one of the several screenings held throughout the year. Additionally, a peer application must be completed and returned to the preschool. Applications are available at the superintendent's office, at Oakdale Elementary School and at the developmental screens. To schedule an appointment for a screen, contact the secretary at Palmer School at: 848-7816.
Peers are selected from screened applicants by lottery. Those whose children are selected will receive a phone call notifying them of their child's acceptance. Do not submit registration materials or health forms until you have received a phone call notifying you of your child's acceptance. Due to the high interest in the program, we are not able to accept all applicants for the peer program. Children who are not selected at the time of the lottery will continue to remain in the pool of eligible applicants until they are not longer age-eligible for the program. Those who are age-eligible for kindergarten cannot be considered for the typical peer program. The program reserves the right to make placements and/or changes to the typical peer program based on programming needs. On occasion, a typical peer might not be a good fit for the program. In the event that this occurs, parents will be notified of the need to make other preschool arrangements. Typical peers who are consistently picked up late risk losing their placement in the program.
For Those Enrolled in the Program:
Registration and Health Forms: In order to attend the program, participants must present a current health form to the nurse, who will review the inoculation records and physical information. Health forms must be reviewed by the school nurse before students participate in the program. Please indicate whether or not your child has allergies or other medical conditions which may affect their school experience. Registration forms and emergency cards must be turned into the office before students attend.
Hours: The Montville Integrated Preschool meets Monday through Thursday. The morning session runs from 9:00 to 11:30; the afternoon session runs from 12:30 to 3:OO for typical peers, and to 3:15 for special needs students. Please refer to the district calendar for scheduled school closings and half days.
Delays, Dismissals and Scheduled Half-Days:
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Delays and Dismissals
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Hours for AM
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Hours for PM
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1 hour delay
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10:00-11:30
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12:30-3:00
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90 min, or more delay
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NO CLASS
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12:30-3:00
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Early Dismissal
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9:00-10:45
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NO CLASS
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Scheduled Half Days
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9:00-10:45
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NO CLASS
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What to Send in with Your Child: The preschool staff requests that you send in a large backpack, a change of clothes in case of spills or accidents, and diapers and wipes if needed. Because the children attend gym class and play on the playground, we ask that you make sure your child wears comfortable shoes that are safe for climbing and movement. Dress your child appropriately for the weather and messy play. We will send information home in a folder; we ask that you return the folder daily and put any written correspondence in it. We try to go outside every day. Please label your child's clothing, particularly the outerwear, as children often don't recognize their own items at this age. Do not send in toys with your child; it can be upsetting to the children and disruptive to the program if toys are lost or broken. If a transition toy is needed, it will be placed in the child's backpack as soon as they enter the building.
If Your Child is Not Going to Attend School: Please call the school and let us know if your child will be out. You can reach us at 859-1800.
If Your Child is Sick: The preschool program follows district policy regarding when children cannot attend school due to illness.
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Illness
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Return to School
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Chicken pox
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When all scabs are healed and none are infected.
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Ear Infection
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When fever has subsided. There is no pain and discharge.
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Flu/General Illness
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After fever has subsided, eating and drinking has resumed, no vomiting or diarrhea, and return to normal behavior pattern.
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Pediculosis (lice)
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After one successful treatment and numerous combings with no visible lice.
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Pink Eye
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After first treatment with appropriate medication.
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Strep Throat
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Twenty-four (24) hours after the start of the appropriate antibiotic.
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Snack: The Montville Integrated Preschool has daily snack time for students. To maintain programming costs, we request that parents periodically donate a healthy snack to share with the whole class. Each teacher will send home a notice to families explaining the snack schedule. Examples of requested snacks include washed vegetables and fruit. Paper goods, tissues, and plastic utensils are gladly accepted as well.
Transportation: Transportation is provided only to children with special needs. If your child is not going to be riding the bus on any particular day, please let the bus garage know. They can be reached at: 848-3878.
It is very important to be ready when the bus arrives because all the children on the route are affected when one is late. Be sure to buckle your child in safely. The bus must be met promptly by a responsible caretaker. Consistent violations of this rule may lead to DCF referral.
Specials: The preschool program attends specials, which may include library, music, art, and/or physical education. They vary yearly according to staff availability. The preschool reserves the right to limit specials to those for whom they are developmentally appropriate; alternate activities will be provided to those who do not attend. Additionally, we may need to make changes to the specials based on programming need.
Field Trips: Occasionally, the preschool may schedule age-appropriate field trips. Permission forms must be signed and returned in advance of participation. There is a nominal fee for participating in such field trips.
Open House: Parents are encouraged to attend the yearly Open House. It's a fun opportunity to see your child's classroom, meet with the teacher and learn about the preschool program. Information about individual students will be shared at parent-teacher conferences.
Conferences: Conferences are held once per year, typically in November, and are also available upon request.
Pick Up and Drop Off: Parking at Oakdale Elementary School can be difficult to find. At the preschool, we keep a relaxed schedule at the beginning part of each session so that parents do not feel that they have to rush to get their children to school. We ask that you hold your child's hand in the parking lot. Do not leave young siblings unattended in the car. Children must be accompanied by an adult when dropped off. Parents are asked to wait with their child in the foyer until the staff comes out to greet the children and bring them back to the classrooms. Timely pick up is required; consistent violations of this rule will jeopardize participation in the typical peer program.
If You Need Someone Else to Pick Up Your Child: For safety's sake, we check the identification of those picking up students. Please make sure to notify us in writing if someone else is coming to pick your child up, and have that person ready with a photo I.D. We will not release children to those whose identification we cannot verify.
Communication with Families: The preschool staff strives to maintain close communication between home and school. An open house is held at the beginning of the school year to introduce families to the program. Throughout the year, the staff maintains contact through phone conversations, notes, and conferences. Newsletters are sent home periodically to review classroom activities, provide home suggestions, and give parents information about upcoming events. PPT meetings are conducted to modify the individualized programs of children with special needs.
Classroom Observations, Parents/Guardians are welcome to observe their child’s program for educational purposes once their child is accepted in the program. However, extra adult presence impacts class routines and negatively affects other students’ participation and progress. If you plan to observe your child's program, please contact the teacher beforehand. While in class, you will be expected to remain away from the activity and hold questions until the class is over and the teacher is available. Your observations must be limited to two days. If you continue to have unanswered questions about your child’s program after the two observations, please schedule a parent conference. We will be happy to answer your questions at that time.
If you need to contact your child's teacher, you can write a note and send it in with your child. For matters that require more timely contact you can call the school at 859-1800 and leave a message. For emergencies, you can contact the Oakdale School office at 859-1800 and someone will call down to the classroom. You can also email teachers at cmontalvo@montvilleschools.org, and htoland@montvilleschools.org, acrocker@montvilleschools.org