|
The AAESA Board of Education approved the introduction of a new, innovative pre-school program at Hillside Center WEST. Based on a highly successful and innovative program initiated out of Ohio, the program offers children 3 to 5 years old who are typically developing youngsters all of the academic and social skills essential to school success, and the opportunity to serve as peer role models for their peers who have developmental delays.
“Parents who are interested in offering their child an expanded preschool experience, and the opportunity to learn early how to successfully function in the diverse world around them will be interested in this unique opportunity for their child”, states Robin Melvin, Hillside Center WEST Principal. This program offers a highly qualified, certified teacher with a Masters degree in early childhood education and four trained para-professionals at a 4:1 ratio with the children enrolled. A strong, developmentally appropriate curriculum addressing such things as academics, music, self-help, communication, sensory-motor, social emotional, fine motor/writing and gross motor skills will be offered. There will be limited enrollment, with only four typically developing peer preschoolers in each session, and a maximum of 15 students with special needs and identified disabilities. “Not only is this a wonderful opportunity for our kids with disabilities to interact with typically developing peers”, states Ron Fuller, AAESA Superintendent, “ But also a wonderful opportunity for those without disabilities to have the advantage of an excellent preschool curriculum and to learn early empathy, patience and understanding of those who deal with disabilities.” Children enrolled as typically developing peers will be charged a monthly tuition of $100.00 (September thru May) and a one time fee of $12.00 for consumables. The morning session will be 8:30 am to 11:30 am and the afternoon session is 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm, Monday through Thursday. Transportation may be provided one way. Parents of typically developing preschoolers who are interested in enrolling their child as a peer model in the preschool program should call Kathy Emmons at 269 673-2167. For more information contact Robin Melvin, Martha Adams or Kathy Emmons at 269 673-2167 for any questions you might have. |
