Kyrene Preschool Program at Las Lomas

1. Kyrene Preschool Programat Las Lomas Kyrene School District 2014-2015

2. Meet Our Staff Lomas Preschool Staff Special Education Preschool Teacher Chris Epper • B.A. Special Education UNR • M.Ed. Special Education UNR Speech/Language Pathologist Kristin Grover • B.S.N. Nursing from SDSU • M.A. Communication Disorders USD • CCC-SLP from ASHA Instructional Assistants Karen D’Antonio Liane Calderon • A.A. in Fine Arts from Pierce College SpecialEducation Preschool Teacher Mary Dulin • B.A. Special Education ASU • M.Ed. Learning and Instructional Technology ASU Speech/Language Pathologist Kristin Grover • B.S.N. Nursing from SDSU • M.A. Communication Disorders USD • CCC-SLP from ASHA Instructional Assistants Betty Plate Becky Herzberg • B.A. Graphic Arts from Cal. Poly Pamoma

3. District Specialists • Director of Special Education • Shari Dukes • Lead Preschool Teacher • Lori Conroy • Administrative Assistant • Becky Lugo • Occupational Therapist • Lisa Starzetski, CODA • Physical Therapist • Kerry Burd • Assistive Technology Specialist • Hannah Jones- AT Teacher Specialist • Janet Fukuda- AT Assistant

4. Speech/Language Services • Leads large group lessons in phonological awareness, speech sound production, and language skills • Leads small group lessons working on various language skills • Works with individual students or small groups on specific goals during center time • Consults with preschool staff on ways to support speech and language skills throughout the day.

5. Staff Ratio and Hours • Each day there are three adults for approximately 18 students • 1 Highly Qualified Teacher in Special Education and Early Childhood • 2 instructional assistants that have extensive training • 1 Speech Language Pathologist-1 day a week

6. Program Description

7. 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. • 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.

8. Typical Daily Schedule • Meet and Greet • Calendar/Music/Movement • Big Experience (Large Group—Stories/Concepts) • Center Time Includes small groups, center choices, individual work with teacher • Circle Time (Big Experiences—Stories/Concepts) • Snack Time • Outside Time • Recall/Closing

9. Classroom Centers • Creativity/Art Center/Sensory Table • Reading and Listening Center • Manipulative/Math Center • Science/Nature Center • Dramatic Play Center • Music Center • Writing Center • Blocks and Building Center • Technology—Computer Center

10. 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

11. Arizona State Standards for Early Childhood Social/Emotional Approaches to Learning Language and Literacy Mathematics Science Social Studies Physical Development Health and Safety Fine Arts

12. Preschool Curriculum • The curriculum is divided into 8 major themes for the year: • 1. Ready for School • 2. My Family • 3. Our Community • 4. Awesome Animals! • 5. Imagine It, Make It • 6. Growing UP Healthy • 7. Nature All Around Us • 8. Moving On • The Big Day program has a parent portal. Please take the information on the table home with you.

13. Founding Principles of BIG DAY Integrated Learning Language Development Social-Emotional Development Responsive Instruction Partner with Families

14. Parent/Teacher Communication

15. Progress Reports • Conferences will be held in October for all students. You may also request a conference with a teacher at any time you have concerns. • Parents will receive a written report of progress in January and May: • Parents will either be receiving a Teaching Strategies Gold report and/or a progress report similar to the kindergarten report card.

16. Socialization and Discipline • Be BIG in the classroom • Clifford’s BIG ideas • Redirection • Individual work with children • Safe spot/Clifford Corner

17. What’s In A Wednesday?!? • Department of Education Trainings • Placement meetings • Progress reviews • Staff development • Team Planning • District team meetings • Transition meetings with kindergarten staff

18. State Licensure Procedural Requirements Arizona Department of Health Services Annual inspections Please sign your child in/out each day-first initial and last name Yellow emergency contact record must be kept current

19. PTO • President, Jennifer Thomas • Next Meeting: Monday, September 8th at 6:00 PM • 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. • Please consider joining PTO!!

20. Ways to Support Preschool Program • Open lines of communication between parents and teachers • Tax Credit donation or take form from your table • See link on district web page www.kyrene.org • Volunteer • Guest reader • Preparation work • Donation of requested items • Wish list • Helping hands board • Newsletter/list serve

21. Las Lomas Mission Statement At Kyrene de Las Lomas, we are committed to teaching and assisting students to develop positive, productive attitudes and behaviors that will enable our students to be active learners and valued contributors to the school community. Motto: Our staff and students can never predict to what heights may soar, until first we spread our wings.