MH4K Coming in 2014-2015

1. MH4KComing in 2014-2015

2. MH4K Collaborating Partner Members • Agape Christian Preschool, MarloMielke, Tammy Banfield • Children’s Community School (Montessori), Sally Flood, Nora Warrington • Hearts & Hands Children’s Center, Julie Hamm, Kim Treamer • Little Vikings 4K& Childcare, Brenda Fritz, Asha Gilmore, Lynne Wilson • Sonshine Christian Preschool, Jennifer Johnston, Jamie Losenegger • MHASD Staff Deb Klein, Jarred Burke, Scott DeYoung, Theresa Daane, Rachael Johnson, Randy Schulz • Community Member Diana Rothamer • DPI Southern Region Collaboration Coach Joanna Parker

3. 4K in Wisconsin 93% of the state’s 4 year olds have access to 4K. 90% of the Dane County school district’s 4K programs are community-based.

4. Why 4K? • It provides the same opportunities for all four year olds. • We have great preschool programs, but not all children have the opportunity to attend them. • 4K participation benefits children from all income levels. • It promotes social, emotional and cognitive development. • Quality 4K programs contribute positively to readiness and achievement. • 4K programs level the playing field when children are entering kindergarten.

5. What is 4K? • A program that provides children with the social and emotional skills needed to succeed in a large group setting. • A place where school-readiness skills are learned.

6. Vision/Mission Vision- All four year olds in the Mount Horeb Area School District will have access to a developmentally appropriate program using a whole child approach to learning through a collaborative partnership between home, community and school. Mission -To provide a high quality collaborative model of care/education to four year olds in our community.

7. MH4K Program Components Accessible to all four year old students within MHASD Free of cost to parents (outside of school registration fee) No four year old students will be turned away from the program (if they turn four before September 1) Need to have DPI licensed teachers 437 face-to-face student contact hours + 87.5 hours of parent outreach = allows for each MHASD student to count as .6 FTE for budgeting purposes MHASD will occur 4 days each week (Tuesday-Friday) for 3 Hours and 5 Minutes, on the same days as school. Four year old programming would be offered in both morning and afternoon

8. MH4K Program Days and Hours What are our 4K program days and hours? • Tuesday through Friday • A choice of morning or afternoon sessions may be available. • The approximate program times: • AM session will be from 8:05 AM - 11:10 AM • PM session will be from 12:10 PM -3:15 PM

9. MH4K Programming Model Community based program models, in total or in part, have been the preferred model as the community based service model is seen as : • Maximizing resources • Minimizing transitions for children and families • Reducing barriers to participation • Promoting equity and access to full day programming • Reducing any negative impacts on child care providers • Allowing for shared responsibility for quality child care and early education

10. Participating Community Sites • Agape Christian Preschool, 315 East Main Street • Hearts & Hands Children’s Center, 8900 Ridgeview Road • Little Vikings 4K& Childcare, 310 West Main Street • Sonshine Christian Preschool, 639 South 8th Street

11. MH4K Site Qualifications Site will meet specific requirements in regards to : • Licensing requirements from the Department of Children and Families • DPI requirements for teacher licensing and parent involvement • No religious instruction during 4K class time • Appropriate curriculum and assessment materials • …and SO much more For more information, please ask about the MHASD4K Site Criteria and Site Application documents.

12. MH4K Program Curriculum Four-year-old programming does not focus on academics. Please see 4K Curriculum Overview Four-year-old programing does focus on: • Social & Emotional Development • Language & Communication • Approaches to Learning • Health & Physical Development • Cognitive & General Knowledge

13. MH4K Class Size We are budgeting for 165 students according to previous kindergarten enrollment trends MHASD will place up to 18 four year olds within each section supported by a teacher and paraprofessional.

14. MH4K Student Placement Site assignments will be made based on prior program enrollment history, need for child care (wrap around) services, place of residence, special programming needs, transportation and available openings at the site requested. MHASD retains the right to place any/all four year old students. There will be a parent/student orientation in the summer before the first day. Registration will begin in February , paper work must be completed by March 7th . Open enrollment procedures will follow other MHASD open enrollment policies. The 4K Coordinator will continue to monitor enrollment trends and will communicate with child care centers from March-August to determine the placement of students moving into the district, including students who register later. Please refer to the FAQ document and Student Enrollment Form

15. Transportation to and from MH4K Children attending 4K can participate in the school district’s regular AM and PM routes. Please refer to School Board Policy, Bus Routing and Scheduling Policy (751.1) and contact Randy Schulz, Director of Transportation. (437-2400 Ext. 1252) to see if your child is eligible for district provided transportation. Mid-day pick up and drop off will also be available. A parent/guardian or adult designee is required to meet the 4K child at the bus each day. 4K students will not be released from the bus unless the parent/guardian is there to receive them.

16. Wrap-Around Care What if my child requires wrap-around care? It is a parent/guardian responsibility to contact and contract with a community site for wrap-around services for their child. The school district is not responsible for providing or scheduling wrap-around child care. Sites Offering Wrap-Around Care: *Hearts and Hands Children’s Center *Little Vikings 4K & Childcare

17. Family and Parent Outreach and Support • 87.5 hours of parent outreach activities will be OFFERED to families participating MH4K. • Some DPI accepted examples of parent outreach activities are: • Activities/Events offered at the Mt. Horeb Public Library • Evening fun gatherings/family celebration nights • Special classroom events such as field trips • General communications such as a newsletter • Parenting classes • 4K summer orientation activities • Family resource center/lending library • Home visits

18. MH4K Timeline February • Parent Information Meetings held and 4K registration begins March • Student registrations forms due April • Parents notified of site assignments August • Transportation information available • Student Drop In Community Site Open Houses: Little Vikings 4K and Childcare Thursday, February 20, 6:00-7:30p.m. Sonshine Christian Preschool Tuesday, February 25, 5:30-7:30p.m. Hearts and Hands Children’s Center, Thursday, February 27, 6:00-7:00p.m. Agape Christian Preschool Tuesday, March 4, 6:00-7:30p.m.