To the parents of ,. Shari Dukes, Program Director……480-541-1150 Lori Conroy Preschool Lead Teacher……480-541-1166 Preschool Office

Exceptional Student Services 8700 S. Kyrene Road

Tempe, AZ 85284

Family Handbook

1 Kyrene Preschool Family Handbook

August 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PRESCHOOL LOCATIONS AND STAFF 1

KYRENE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES INFORMATION

6 7

KYRENE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

9

KYRENE CURRICULUM AND PROGRESS REPORTS

10

KYRENE PRESCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

11

KYRENE PRESCHOOL VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES

15

KYRENE PRESCHOOL CLASSROOM PROCEDURES

16

TRANSITION FROM PRESCHOOL TO KINDERGARTEN

19

INFORMATION AND ACTIVITIES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF SKILLS

21

PARENT INFORMATION WEBSITES 26


August 2016

PRESCHOOL LOCATIONS AND STAFF

Dr. Shari Dukes, Program Director……480-541-1150

Lori Conroy Preschool Lead Teacher……480-541-1166

Preschool Office…….…..480-541-1156

District Office….………..480-541-1000

Transportation…….…….480-541-1717

The Kyrene Preschool follows the school district calendar year.

Kyrene de las Brisas

777 N. Desert Breeze Blvd. East #1, Chandler

A.M. Session 8:20-11:20

P.M. Session 12:20-3:20

School Office 480-541-2000

Health Office 480-541-2020

Attendance 480-541-2001

Christie Winkelmann Principal

Lynn Clapper Preschool Teacher

Kyrene de los Cerritos

14620 S. Desert Foothills Parkway, Phoenix

A.M. Session 8:20-11:20

P.M. Session 12:20-3:20




Darcy DiCosmo Principal

Jennifer Bell Preschool Teacher


August 2016

Kyrene del Cielo

1350 N. Lakeshore Drive, Chandler

A.M. Session 8:20-11:20

P.M. Session 12:20-3:20




Tina Nicks Principal

Shari Beardslee Preschool Teacher

Emily Ferris Preschool Teacher

Kyrene de la Estrella

2720 E. Liberty Lane, Phoenix

A.M. Session 8:20-11:20

P.M. Session 12:20-3:20




Michael Lamp Principal

Kara Klaisle Preschool Teacher

Sally Tully Preschool Teacher

Kyrene de la Esperanza

14841 S. 41st Place, Phoenix

A.M. Session 8:20-11:20

P.M. Session 12:20-3:20




Cheryl Greene Principal

Anna Mantini Preschool Teacher


August 2016

Kyrene de las Lomas

11820 S. Warner Elliot Loop, Phoenix

A.M. Session 8:20-11:20

P.M. Session 12:20-3:20




Brian Gibson Principal

Mary Dulin Preschool Teacher

Chris Epper Preschool Teacher

Kyrene de las Manitas

1201 W. Courtney Lane, Tempe

A.M. Session 8:20-11:20

P.M. Session 12:20-3:20




Dan Langston Principal

Wendy Buchberger Preschool Teacher

Sue Cockrell Preschool Teacher

Kyrene del Milenio

4630 E. Frye Road, Phoenix

A.M. Session 8:20-11:20

P.M. Session 12:20-3:20




Carrie Furedy Principal

Shauna McCarty Preschool Teacher

Felicia Warren Preschool Teacher


August 2016

Kyrene de la Mirada

5500 W. Galveston Street, Chandler

A.M. Session 8:20-11:20

P.M. Session 12:20-3:20




Nancy Branch Principal

Karen Lederman Preschool Teacher

Jennifer Wludyga Preschool Teacher

Kyrene Preschool Program is regulated by the

Arizona Department of Health Services

150 N. 18th Ave., Suite #400

Phoenix, Arizona 85007

(602)364-2539

Program carries liability insurance

State Child Care Licensing Reports are available upon request.

The Preschool Program also participates in the Empower Program for Health and Wellness.

http://www.azdhs.gov/empower-program/index.htm

Kyrene de la Paloma

5000 W. Witten Drive, Chandler

A.M. Session 8:20-11:20

P.M. Session 12:20-3:20




Janet Tobias Principal

Rosann Eschrich Preschool Teacher

http://www.azdhs.gov/empower-program/index.htm


August 2016

KYRENE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY

Children are unique and diverse with individual strengths and needs.

Each child’s diversity is embraced and valued.

High quality early education programing and planning is vital to children’s

development and success.

Interactions that are meaningful and rich occur between the teachers, the

children and their parents foster learning opportunities.

Learning through rich language and play opportunities as well as hands on

experiences are crucial to children’s development and growth.

Dedicated professionals help children reach their fullest potential by providing

access to and facilitating a variety of learning opportunities.


August 2016

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES INFORMATION

Liability Insurance Per the DHS regulation R9-5-308, documentation of our liability insurance coverage is available for review on the facility premises. Inspection Reports Inspection Reports are available on-site at each location. The specific location on the inspection reports can be found posted at each site. Pesticide Application Parents are notified at least 48 hours before a pesticide is applied on a facility’s premises by any of the following including but not limited to: posting the notice on the main door to the facility, posting the notice at the parent table, in-person communication, via e-mail, over the phone, etc. Immunizations Maricopa County Department of Public Health’s immunization requirements for children enrolled in childcare programs call for missing doses of vaccines to be administered within 15 days of enrollment. As immunizations are updated, parents must provide the program with a copy of the updated records. Children may not attend any program if immunizations are not current. Additionally, we require that current copies be provided annually for re-enrollment. For further information about immunization requirements, please contact your physician or the Arizona Immunization Program at 602-364-3630. Medication Per the DHS regulation R9-5-516, program staff will administer only physician-prescribed medication in its original prescription container. The container must be labeled by the pharmacist and include the name of the child, date, dosage, name of the medication, and method of administration. Old medication containers may not be refilled with new medication. Consent forms for the administration of medication are available at the program site and need to be completed by the parent/ guardian and remain on file. Per DHS regulations, program staff will return all unused prescription medications when the medication is no longer being administered to the child. Program staff will dispose of medications after two (2) weeks of the expiration date or after two (2) weeks of a child’s withdrawal from the program. It is the parent’s responsibility to supply the program site with medication for School Closure Camps and Summer Programs. Program staff will not transfer medication from the program site to the School Closure Camp or Summer Program locations.

http://www.azdhs.gov/phs/immun/


August 2016

Illness DHS requires that program staff inform families of potentially infectious illnesses. To assist our compliance with this regulation, please notify the Program Coordinator when a child’s absence is due to a potentially infectious illness. Children who are ill with diarrhea, continuous cough, vomiting, red throat, unexplained rashes, swollen glands, head or stomach aches, have had a fever within the last 24 hours, or who did not attend school that day should not attend a licensed program. If a child becomes ill while under the care of Community Education and Outreach Services staff, the parent/guardian will be promptly notified and asked to pick up the child. The parent/guardian will need to pick up the child within one (1) hour of receiving notice. After one (1) hour, authorized individuals listed on the DHS Emergency Information Card will be contacted to come pick up the child. In the case of an emergency and/or serious injury, as determined by the program staff, paramedics may be called and the parent/guardian will be notified immediately. The parent/guardian will be responsible for all costs incurred in such emergencies. Health Records Changes to emergency information and revisions of immunization records presented to the school office are not forwarded to Community Education Services programs. All records must be updated with the program. DHS Emergency Information Cards are available on-line at eServices or in the Service Center. Any changes or revisions to health records need to be made at the program site or at the Service Center. Additionally, we require that a new DHS Emergency Information Card be provided annually for re-enrollment.

http://www.kyrene.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=1184


August 2016

KYRENE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Kyrene Preschool is an integrated program where children with differing

abilities play and learn together in the same classroom. Our program is designed to

serve preschoolers aged three to five (not eligible age for kindergarten) who display a

range of developmental skills and abilities. Some children may be delayed in one or

more of the following categories: speech/language impaired, hearing impaired, vision

impaired, or developmentally delayed. These delays may affect the following areas of

development 1) cognitive abilities, 2) motor abilities, 3) sensory abilities, 4) psychosocial

skills, 5) language skills, and 6) adaptive behavior. Our typically developing children

(those not displaying delays) come from the school community and pay tuition to attend

the program. Typically developing peers need to be potty trained before entering our

program. Every effort is made to place typically developing peers at the school of choice.

If the school of choice is full, a spot will be offered at another site, or the child will be

placed on a waiting list for the preferred location.

The Kyrene Preschool adheres to the Program Guidelines for High Quality Early

Education as developed by the Arizona Depart of Education.

(http://www.azed.gov/early-childhood/files/2011/10/program-guidelines-

complete.pdf) In order to support children’s development and facilitate learning our

preschool programs are play-based, child centered, and language-rich.

Preschool Day Our preschool programs meet four days a week. All sessions meet three

hours per day. During the preschool day the children participate in a rich variety of

activities during which they experience many opportunities for learning. We are strong

advocates for play and view play as a natural avenue through which children learn. Each

day the children may participate in circle time, small group activities, independent work

time, snack, and movement activities. The children are given opportunities to make

choices about activities and then given a chance to talk about their activity choices.

In the area of guidance and discipline our ultimate goal is that each child develops self-

control and appropriate ways of solving problems. Within the classroom setting we set

clear, consistent and fair limits. We listen to the children and help them find ways of

resolving their conflicts. We model problem-solving skills and regard mistakes as

opportunities to learn. As part of this learning process, we always look for ways to

redirect children to appropriate activities, take opportunities to teach the appropriate skills

and help them make alternative choices. In some instances, a child may be removed from

a situation for a short period of time. The child is then given the opportunity to rejoin the

group and appropriate behavior is modeled and encouraged. At all times our emphasis is

on using positive guidance, teaching and treating all children with dignity and respect.

http://www.azed.gov/early-childhood/files/2011/10/program-guidelines-complete.pdf

http://www.azed.gov/early-childhood/files/2011/10/program-guidelines-complete.pdf


August 2016

CURRICULUM

Arizona Early Learning Standards

Our preschool programs use the Arizona Early Learning Standards to guide the skills we

teach in our classrooms. This document is also referred to when writing Individual

Education Program objectives and needs. You can view a copy of the document at this

website: http://www.azed.gov/early-childhood/files/2011/11/arizona-early-learning-

standards-3rd-edition.pdf

Scholastic Big Day for PreK

This is a newly adopted curriculum for our district. This program is a comprehensive

curriculum. There are eight themes that deliver learning in an integrated manner to

address all domains of development. These domains include oral language, literacy,

mathematics, science, social studies, art and physical development. Lessons and

concepts are taught through intentional play experiences and teacher led activities.

Hand Writing Without Tears

This is a multi-sensory, developmental approach to teaching prewriting shapes and letter

formation. This program is used to supplement writing in the Big Day for PreK

curriculum.

PROGRESS REPORTING

Progress Reports for All Students

All students in the preschool program will receive progress reports two times a year.

Once in January and once in May. The skills reported on correlate with the Arizona Early

Learning Standards.

Report of Progress for Students with an Individual Education Plan

In addition to the progress reports above, students who have an Individual Education Plan

(IEP) will receive a Report of Progress two times a year. Once at the end of each

semester. This report will be to report progress on IEP goals.

http://www.azed.gov/early-childhood/files/2011/11/arizona-early-learning-standards-3rd-edition.pdf

http://www.azed.gov/early-childhood/files/2011/11/arizona-early-learning-standards-3rd-edition.pdf


August 2016

KYRENE PRESCHOOL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Accident/Illness Emergency Medical Procedures

In the event of a medical emergency, a staff person will stay with your child to provide

care and comfort. If needed, the school health office will be contacted and if necessary

911 will be called. You will be notified of any medical emergency as soon as possible.

Posted in the classroom are all necessary emergency numbers, along with the preschool

and school staff certified to perform CPR and First Aide.

Attendance

Regular preschool attendance and being on time for class are both appreciated and

expected. If it is necessary for your child to be kept home, please call and report the

absence to the school attendance number in the front of this book.

Evacuation Drills

Unannounced evacuation/fire drills are conducted at least once every 30 days, as required

by law. Emergency Evacuation plans are posted in each classroom.

Field Trips

Class field trips provide educational experiences for children in settings outside of the

school. Field trip planning and organization is up to the discretion of the preschool staff

and will follow school board policy. Parents/guardians will be informed in advance when

children will be going on a field trip. A Field Trip Permission Form and a Field Trip

Emergency Medical Information and Consent Form must be completed and signed by the

parent/guardian, phone calls granting permission are not sufficient. This is a requirement

of our insurance carrier. Kyrene Preschools carry liability insurance.


August 2016

Health Screening

All children in the preschool program will be screened annually for vision and hearing.

Should a problem be suspected parents will be notified.

Lice checks may occur at different times during the year if: 1) a parent or teacher

suspects a problem, or 2) a classmate or sibling of a classmate has lice. In the case that a

child is found to have lice, the parents will be notified to pick the child up so that they

can begin treatment.

The Department of Health Services requires public notice of any outbreak of

communicable diseases or infestation. Parents will be notified and a notice will be posted

in the classroom.

Illness

In the interest of maintaining a healthy school environment, please keep children at home

if they are ill or if you think they might be ill. The following symptoms indicate the need

to be kept out of school: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, elevated temperature, chills, red or

inflamed eyes, cold symptoms, skin rash, headaches, other pains. A child should not

return to school until they have been free of fever, diarrhea, and/or vomiting for 24 hours.

Immunizations

Parents of children entering preschool will need to provide verifiable documentation of

immunizations showing that their child has received the minimum immunization

requirements in accordance with the law. Any immunizations received after the start of

school will need to be reported to the health office. If you are not sure if your child's

immunizations are current, please contact the school health assistant, district nurse, or

your physician.

Medications

A medication consent form will need to be completed by the child's parent/guardian and

kept in the school health office for any child requiring the administration of any

medication during the preschool day. In some instances medications may be kept in the

preschool classroom in a locked and labeled cabinet.

Registration

All preschoolers preparing to attend the Kyrene Preschool must complete a registration

packet before entrance. This packet may be picked up at any school office but must be

turned in to the school office where the child will attend preschool classes. At the time of

registration, parents will need to provide the original or a certified copy of their child’s

birth certificate, proof of residence (utility bill that shows your name and address) and

their child's immunizations record.


August 2016

Transportation

Transportation by the school district is provided only to students receiving special

education services who require transportation in order to be able to receive specialized

instruction because their parents are unable to transport. This is in accordance with the

law. Transportation is provided only within the district boundaries. We always

appreciate parents providing transportation at the preschool level in that it allows for

daily verbal communication between staff and parents.

Parents of our typical peers are responsible for transporting their children to and from

preschool. Parents may form carpools at their convenience.

Tuition

Children attending our preschool as typical peers pay a monthly tuition. Full tuition is

paid each month, July through April. Payment options are available. You may pay in

person at the District Office, mail in your tuition with child’s first and last name on

check, arrange an automatic credit card withdrawal or pay online by simply logging into

your account. Tuition is due on the 1st of each month. A $35.00 late fee will be assessed

to all payments not received at the District Office by the 5th day of each

month. Cash is accepted if you pay in person at the District Office with the exact

amount. If it is not possible for you to pay tuition, your child will not be able to remain

in the program. The tuition money is essential in maintaining a quality

program. Therefore, partial refunds will not be given if your child does not attend a full

month and a full month’s tuition is paid during months when breaks from school occur.

The Kyrene School District tax ID number is 86-6000494. Tuition must be mailed or

delivered in person to: Kyrene School District, Customer Service, 8700 South Kyrene

Road, Tempe, Arizona 85284. Please DO NOT send tuition payments into the classroom

or school office.

A nonrefundable yearly processing fee of $25.00 will be required at the time of

registration. Tuition for the 2016-2017 school year is $275.00 per month.


August 2016

Visiting the Classroom

Parents are always welcome to spend time in the classroom. We are both comfortable

and accustomed to having people visit our program. We do not change our schedule

when we have visitors.

If you wish to have an outside provider or therapist visit, please work with your child’s

teacher to have someone accompany the visitor in the classroom. This ensures that

questions can be answered without disrupting the class routine.

Etiquette While Visiting:

Please make arrangements for times and days to visit with your child’s teacher.

Please do not direct questions or conversation towards the adults working with the

children. This allows us to maintain our routine with our students.

If you are visiting with another person please refrain from conversations as this

may disrupt learning and teaching.

If you have questions please make arrangements to talk with the teacher at a

mutually agreeable time.

Please make child care arrangements for siblings; as is required by Kyrene

District guidelines. Siblings are not allowed to visit classrooms.

Withdrawals

We ask that when possible you give a two week notice if your child will be leaving the

program. Please notify your child’s teacher, the school office and the preschool office.

You will need to complete a withdraw form in the school office.


August 2016

KYRENE PRESCHOOL VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES

Volunteering in the Classroom

We always welcome parent volunteers. Volunteers are very helpful and the children

really look forward to having family members in the classroom. Your child’s teacher will

work with you to develop a volunteer schedule. Volunteer activities in the classroom may

vary, tasks may include: reading to a small group of children, facilitating play,

completing prep work (cutting, copying, etc), assisting in small group activities, or

helping with an individual child.

If you can’t volunteer in the classroom you can still be a part of the classroom by helping

the staff with prep work at home.

Due to DHS requirements if you are working in the classroom you will not be able to run

a group or play area unless there is a DHS licensed preschool staff member in the same

location.

Requirements for non-parent volunteers

Fingerprinting by the Kyrene School District is required for all non-parent

volunteers. Non-parent volunteers are held to the same requirements as parent

volunteers

General Tips for Volunteers

Confidentiality is extremely important when working in a classroom. Please

don’t share information about other children with anyone outside of the

classroom.

In accordance with Department of Health Services (DHS) volunteers will not be

alone with children. This includes alone at a table or in a play area with any child

other than your own. A staff member will always be in the same location as you

and the child(ren).

If a child is having difficulty with a task, we try not to do the task for them but

assist them in doing it.

If in doubt about the wisdom of an activity a child is engaged in, redirect the

child or check with a staff member.

When conversing with a child, we try to draw attention to the process of the

activity, not the product. (Example: “You are rolling the play dough, it is long.”

rather than, “You made a snake.”) as well as ask open-ended questions (“Tell me

about your tower,” rather than “How many blocks are there?” )

Don’t worry if your child acts differently with you in the room. This is a

common occurrence. The staff will deal with this as the need arises.

Dress comfortably - you may need to play on the floor or sit in small chairs.

Please relax. Enjoy yourself and have a great time!


August 2016

KYRENE PRESCHOOL CLASSROOM PROCEDURES

Appropriate Dress

At preschool, we play actively and do a lot of moving around. Please dress your child in

clothes suitable for preschool activities. We encourage rubber-soled, closed-toe shoes.

We paint frequently and use other “messy” materials, and although we try to keep clothes

clean, accidents do happen. We appreciate your help in selecting appropriate clothes for

your child to wear. When the weather changes and the children start to wear jackets and

sweaters, please mark their name or initials on the tag.

Arrival/Dismissal

Parents are asked to bring their children to the preschool classroom no earlier than five

minutes before the start of class. All children must be signed-in and signed-out by an

adult each day. Each classroom will provide a sign-in/out sheet for this purpose. This

sheet requires (first initial-last name) signatures and arrival/pick-up times. Each

preschool site will develop an arrival and dismissal plan to meet the site’s specific needs.

Please park in designated areas, not in the bus zone. Please be on time to pick your child

up after class. The staff has many duties and responsibilities that begin as soon as

students leave.

Backpacks

Each child will need to bring a backpack to school each day. A full sized backpack is

preferred as the back pack will be used to transport items between home and school. Art

work tends to get crumpled in a smaller pack. Please mark the pack with your child’s

name.

Diapers/Wipes

If your child is in diapers, you will need to be provide diapers and wipes. You may send

a supply to be kept at school or may send them daily in the backpack.

Hand Washing

One of the most important routines at preschool is helping the children learn to wash their

hands with soap when entering the classroom, after using the bathroom, blowing noses,

returning from outside play, and before eating. Having a hand washing routine not only

helps in limiting the spread of germs but helps build a good lifelong habit. We appreciate

your help in reinforcing this routine at all times.


August 2016

Individual Education Program

As required by law, every child who qualifies for special education services will, who is

placed in our program will have an Individual Education Program (IEP). The IEP is

written collaboratively by parents and the preschool staff. The IEP contains important

educational information including goals that are reviewed in writing semi-annually, and

the IEP is revised annually if the child continues to qualify for placement in the program.

Spare Clothes

Please send a set of spare clothes for your child to be kept at school.

Parent/School Communication

The preschool staff will communicate with you via written notes, phone calls, email and

personal contacts when the child is dropped off or picked up, and at pre-established

conference times. Newsletters will be sent home to keep parents up to date on preschool

activities. Twice a year a progress reports will be sent home. We encourage you to

contact us if you have any questions or concerns/compliments.

Parent Events

Throughout the school year we will plan several events for our parents and families.

Required events that all teachers provide:

Meet the Teacher Night in conjunction with the district

Curriculum Night in conjunction with the elementary school

Parent-Teacher Conferences-two times a year for each child in conjunction with

the elementary school. For students with IEPs, the IEP meeting may count as one

of your conferences.

Optional events that will vary by teacher:

Programs/Performances

Class Celebrations

School Wide Events

Pesticide Application

Parents are notified at least 48 hours before a pesticide is applied on a facility’s premises

by any of the following including but not limited to: posting the notice on the main door

to the facility, posting the notice at the parent table, in-person communication, via e-mail,

over the phone, etc.


August 2016

Snack

Each day a snack is served at preschool. Snack time is a good opportunity for children to

use and develop language, self help skills, manners, and try a variety of foods. Each

classroom has a snack process and procedure. Please see your preschool teacher for

his/her process. For classrooms where students don’t bring in their own snack each day,

a calendar with the snack menu will be posted. In adherence to Kyrene policy, any item

brought to school to be consumed by the children must be pre-packaged and store

purchased.

Please alert your child's teacher of any food allergy or sensitivity.

Toys/Objects from Home

Specific guidelines in this area may vary from site to site and your child’s teacher will

share his/her preference with you. We do have two requests for all school sites 1) toy

weapons are not allowed at any time and 2) we discourage your child from bringing an

valuable or breakable items because the preschool staff are not be responsible for lost or

damaged items.

Wednesdays

Our preschool classes are not held on Wednesdays. The preschool staff spend

Wednesdays meeting many different responsibilities. Those responsibilities include:

preschool staff meetings

team planning at school sites

parent meetings

trainings or in-services

data review

writing student reports


August 2016

TRANSITION FROM PRESCHOOL TO KINDERGARTEN

General Facts for all Children

You have a child going to kindergarten in the fall! How exciting for everybody involved.

This page will answer some common questions.

Who goes to kindergarten? In the Kyrene School District ALL children who

are five by September 1st go to kindergarten.

What about kindergarten readiness? In order to come to kindergarten in

Kyrene, the only expectation is that your child turns five by September 1. It is

each school's responsibility to be READY for your child when he or she comes!

Where do children go to kindergarten? Most children go to kindergarten at

their home school (the school in their immediate neighborhood and where school

boundary lines are drawn). Kyrene does offer open enrollment for families that

prefer to go to a school other than the home school. Enrollment is granted based

on space and capacity by grade level or program. For open enrollment options

contact Bonnie Dolinsek at 480-541-1516 or go to

http://www.kyrene.org/Page/1202 When does the kindergarten enrollment process start? During the spring

semester all Kyrene schools hold a kindergarten orientation to help familiarize

families with kindergarten and the registration process. Kindergarten registration

looks just like preschool registration, the same forms are required.

What will my child learn in kindergarten? The Kyrene School District follows

the Arizona College and Career Ready Standards for all grade levels. In addition,

Kyrene has adopted curriculum that is followed. For information regarding

Kyrene’s curriculum go to: http://sw.kyrene.org/Page/732. Information on the

Arizona College and Career Ready Standards can be found at:

http://www.azed.gov/azccrs/

How do I get specific questions answered about kindergarten? In addition to

talking with your child’s preschool teacher, you can attend a kindergarten

information session at your home school.

What can I do as a parent to support my child as we make this transition?

Talk with your child about kindergarten and their new school, attend community

events at your home school, sign up for you home school’s list serve at

http://sw.kyrene.org/Page/2790, attend kindergarten orientation in the spring and

attend meet the teacher night the week before school begins.

What if my child has special needs? We have the answer to this question!

Please continue reading!

http://www.kyrene.org/Page/1202

http://sw.kyrene.org/Page/732

http://www.azed.gov/azccrs/



August 2016

Process for Children with Developmental Delays

This page describes the process we will follow as we transition children who have

developmental delays, have a current IEP (Individual Education Plan) and attend

preschool in one of our preschool programs.

1) The transition process will involve you, the preschool staff who works with your

child, and a team of people from your child's home school (the home school team

will include the home school psychologist, a special education teacher, a

speech/language pathologist and possibly a building administrator. A kindergarten

teacher will join the team for some of the meetings).

2) The transition process begins in January when the home school team is notified

that your child will be attending kindergarten starting in the fall.

3) During the months of January and February we will schedule the first meeting

(called a RED-Review of Existing Data) with you, the preschool staff, and the

home school team. The purpose of this meeting is to make introductions and

walk through the transition process with you. At this meeting we will answer

your questions, review all the existing data we have on your child, and talk about

your child's strengths and needs. We will then determine if there is other

information we need to gather, or if additional testing is needed. A schedule and

timeline will be set to complete the tasks and a second meeting (called a MET-

Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team) date will be determined.

4) During the months of March and April all tasks related to the transition will be

completed and the MET meeting will be held. At this meeting we will review any

additional data we have gathered and as a team we will determine if your child

qualifies for special education services in kindergarten. If your child continues to

qualify for special education a new IEP (Individual Educational Program) will be

written, and your child's kindergarten program will be described.

5) The work is done! Have a great summer and come back in August knowing your

child is set for a great start as a kindergarten student in the Kyrene School

District!

It is such a celebration when a child is dismissed from special education services. If you

child is dismissed from special education services, transportation will no longer be

provided. Your child will be able to remain in the program as a typical peer with tuition

waived for the remainder of the month in which they are dismissed and the following

month. If you wish to continue in the program you will have to pay tuition. Please contact

Becky Lugo within a week of dismissal from special education to set up an account.


August 2016

INFORMATION AND ACTIVITIES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF SKILLS

Reading is one of the best activities you can do with your child. It provides opportunities

for the development of many skills including: language, vocabulary and concepts. It also

builds a love for reading and lends itself to developing story retell, sequencing skills and

being able to answer comprehension questions.

Gross Motor Skills

Create an obstacle course using outdoor spaces, furniture or other household items

that includes climbing under and over, jumping or hopping. Include special

movements (ie: walk around the tree, crawl under the rope or table, hop to the

chair)

Promote balance by having your child walk on a line or a curb

Practice going up and down stairs

Use a balloon or beach ball to practice catching and hand-eye coordination

Play ball

Go to the park

Ride a bike

Wheelbarrow walk (your child has his/her hands on the floor supporting their

weight, you pick up their feet and they use their hands to walk across the floor)

Make games out of motor movements (ie: hop all the way to the car, move like

animals)

Dance

Fine Motor Skills

The bathtub is a great place to work on building muscles and coordination needed for

writing. Activities you can do in the tub include:

Using a turkey baster, syringe or eye dropper to squirt water or fill container with

water

Have your child draw in shaving cream on the walls of the tub

Use a spoon to fill containers with water

Use tub crayons to draw in the tub

Other Activities:

Use an upright surface for drawing (such as an easel or chalkboard)

Use a spray bottle to squirt plants, the wall or sidewalk

Use tongs or tweezers to pick up cotton balls or other objects

Play with play-dough

Hide small toys in play-dough for your child to find

String noodles, cereal or beads

Tear paper and magazines

Build with blocks and Legos


August 2016

Puzzles

Sidewalk chalk

Paint with water on the sidewalk or outside walls

Attach clothes pins on a container or ribbon

Cutting straws, play-dough, ribbon, cardstock

Cognitive Skills

Start collections with your child (leaves, buttons, shells, lids etc.). Use these collections

to

Count

Sort

Pattern

Compare

Describe

Put in order by size

Measure things using a ruler and non-standard units of measure, you can use a shoe to

measure how long your kitchen is, or block to see how long your arm is.

Hide objects in a bag and describe them by how they feel.

Put out a few objects, have your child close their eyes while you remove an object and

then they tell you which one is missing.

Around the House and Self Help

Involve your child in cooking. Not only is it fun, but it reinforces many skills including

counting, language, health, measuring and fine motor skills. Be sure to talk about what

you are doing using words like shake, roll, measure, more, less, first, next, etc.

Helping around the house:

Set the table

Put the dishes in the dishwasher

Sort the laundry

Wipe the tables

Water the plants

Clean up. You can make it a game or more fun by breaking the task into smaller

chunks or making it a competition (clean up all the shoes, clean up all the cars, I’ll

do the blue ones, you do the green)

Feed the pets

Pull up covers on the bed

Self-Help

Get dressed independently/pick out own clothing

Use the toilet and wash hands


August 2016

Clean up spills

Use a spoon and fork to feed self

Pour drinks and serve food

Number Sense

Subitizing: This is the ability to see a group of objects and instantly know how many

there are, such as on a dice.

To help your child with this skill play lots of board games or games with dice.

Counting with tagging: Being able to count objects and keep track as they count (ex:

counting the number of cars they have by saying one number for each object-not counting

an item more than once or skipping an object)

To help your child with this skill count various things in their life (how many gold

fish crackers you are giving them, count out how many forks you need for dinner,

number of cars that are blue, green, etc). You might need to help them with

strategies for keeping track such as moving the items as they count them, putting

them in a line or other organized fashion to count them.

Knowing one more and one less:

To help your child with this skill ask them real life questions such as, “I see you

have 5 blocks. How many would you have if you lost one?” “You have 3 pieces

of candy, how many would you have if I gave you one more?” You can use

objects (manipulatives) such as counters or beans to help your child figure out

these problems if they can’t do them in their head.

If your child asks you for 5 crackers, give them four. If they don’t figure out right

away that you need to give them one more. Ask them leading questions such as,

“How many do you have?”, “How many do you want?”, “Did I give you

enough?”, “How many more do you need?”

Counting on: The ability to know what number comes next in a sequence.

To help your child with this skill you can have them add to the counting sequence.

You would say, “what number comes after 5?” “What number comes before 3”.

As your child gets proficient with smaller numbers you can move to bigger ones.

You can have your child ask you the questions too. Sometimes give the wrong

answer to see if they know you are incorrect and can help you get the correct

answer.

Have your child pick a number out of a bag and have them tell you what number

comes next and what number comes before.

Playing board and card games help to develop math skills. Some favorites are: Candy

Land, Chutes and Ladders, Cootie, Dominoes, Hi-Ho-Cherrio.


August 2016

Phonemic Awareness

Phonemic awareness is the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds

(phonemes) in spoken words. Before children learn to read print, they need to become

more aware of how the sounds in words work. They must understand that words are

made up of speech sounds. (http://www.begintoread.com/articles/phonemic-

awareness.html)

The BEST thing you can do to build your child’s phonemic awareness is to read aloud to

your child.

Most information was taken from: www.psd202.org/eagle/Documents/Phonemic.pdf

Rhyming

Activities

Read a book with rhyming words and stop just before you get to the word that

rhymes

(ex: from Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss “I do not like them in a house. I do

not like them with a __________” let your child fill in the blank.

Ask your child to hand you a toy, puzzle piece or tool by using a rhyming word

(ex: “Can you please hand me the loon (spoon) so I can eat my cereal?”)

One person names a word and then you both see who can make the most rhymes

from it. Nonsense words are perfectly acceptable in this game (ex: people,

meeple, steeple, creeple, cheeple).

Read and teach your child Nursery Rhymes. Substitute rhyming words for words

in the poem by deleting the first sound and letting your child supply the new

sound/word. (ex: Hickory, dickory, dock Lickory, Lickory, Lock The mouse ran

up the clock. The mouse ran up the zlock.)

Book Suggestions:

There’s a Wocket in My Pocket by Dr. Seuss

Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss

Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss

Is Your Mama a Llama by Deborah Guarino

Down By The Bay by Raffi

Eek! There’s a Mouse in the House by Wong Herbert Yee

I Can’t Said the Ant by Polly Cameron

One Duck Stuck by Phyllis Root

Oh My Gosh, Mrs. McNosh bySarah Weeks

What rhymes with eel? by Harriet Ziefert

Chicka, Chicka Boom Boom by John Archambault

Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear? By Nancy White Carlstrom

I Knew Two Who Said Moo: A Counting and Rhyming Book by Judi Barrett

http://www.psd202.org/eagle/Documents/Phonemic.pdf


August 2016

Playing with Sounds and Beginning Sounds

Activities:

Find a word in a book and see if you can come up with other words that start with

that sound, for each word a person comes up with they get a token.

Roll a dice and see if you can come up with the number of words rolled on the

dice that begin with the same sound-you can use scrabble tiles to pick the letter

sound you are using (ex: you roll a three and the letter you drew is a z-come up

with zoom, zoo, zebra).

Pick a letter and see what different people’s names would be if their name started

with that sound (ex: /K/ Kori, Kandy, Kara, Kenjamin).

Have a scavenger hunt around the house, at the store, in the yard, at the park, in

the car, or any place at all for things that begin with the same sound as the child's

name, piece of food, toy, parent’s name or some other sound. Book Suggestions: Alliteration

A My Name is Alice by Jane Bayer

Four Fur Feet by Margaret Wise Brown

Six Sleepy Sheep by Jeffie Ross Gordon

Faint frogs feeling feverish and other terrifically tantalizing tongue twisters by Lilian Obligado

Dr. Seuss’s ABC by Dr. Seuss

Four Famished Foxes and Fosdyke by Pamela Duncan Edwards

Some Smug Slug by Pamela Duncan Edwards

Wacky Wedding: A Book of Alphabet Antics by Pamela Duncan Edwards

Rosie’s Roses by Pamela Duncan Edwards

K is for Kissing a Cool Kangaroo by Giles Andreae

Poems of A. Nonny Mouse by Jack Prelutsky

Busy Buzzing Bumblebees and Other Tongue Twisters by Alvin Schwartz Playing with sounds

The Hungry Thing by Jan Slepian

The Hungry Thing Returns by Jan Slepian

The Hungry Thing Goes to a Restaurant by Jan Slepian

Sing a Song of Popcorn by B. deRegniers, M. White, and J. Carr

Roar and More by Karla Kuskin

Stop that Noise! By Paul Geraghty

Ook the Book: And Other Silly Rhymes by Lissa Rovetch

Oodles of Noodles by Lucia Hymes

If I Had a Paka by Charlotte Pomerantz

Moses Supposes His Toeses are Roses by Nancy Patz

Slop Goes the Soup: A Noisy Warthog Word Book by Pamela Duncan Edwards


August 2016

PARENT INFORMATION WEBSITES

Arizona

Department of

Education

Special Education http://www.azed.gov/special-education/

Early Childhood

Education

http://www.azed.gov/early-childhood/

First Things First

http://www.azed.gov/early-

childhood/preschool/preschool-

programs/first-things-first/

US

Department of

Education

www.ed.gov

First Things

First and Free

Local

Resources

Thrive to Five in

Kyrene

Thrive to Five

First Thing First First Things First

Birth to Five Help Line Birth to Five Help Line

Child

Development

National Association for

the Education of Young

Children

http://www.naeyc.org/

Developmental

Milestones

http://www.pbs.org/wholechild/abc/ind

ex.html

Developmental

Milestones

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/mi

lestones/

Resources for

Families of

Children with

Disabilities

Kyrene Special

Education Parent

Advisory Council

(KSEPAC)


Department of

Developmental

Disabilities

https://www.azdes.gov/DDD/

Southwest Autism

Research and Resource

Center

http://www.autismcenter.org/

National Association of

Parents with Children

in Special Education

http://www.napcse.org/

Down Syndrome

Network

http://dsnetworkaz.com/

http://www.azed.gov/special-education/

http://www.azed.gov/early-childhood/

http://www.azed.gov/early-childhood/preschool/preschool-programs/first-things-first/



http://www.ed.gov/

http://www.kyrene.org/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&ModuleInstanceID=914&ViewID=7b97f7ed-8e5e-4120-848f-a8b4987d588f&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=1179&PageID=983

http://www.azftf.gov/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.swhd.org/get-help/birth-to-five-helpline

http://www.naeyc.org/

http://www.pbs.org/wholechild/abc/index.html

http://www.pbs.org/wholechild/abc/index.html

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/


https://www.azdes.gov/DDD/

http://www.autismcenter.org/

http://www.napcse.org/

http://dsnetworkaz.com/


August 2016

Family

Resources

and Activities

www.kaboose.com

http://www.familytlc.net/index.html

http://www.teachersandfamilies.com/index.html

http://parenting.org/

http://www.onetoughjob.org/

http://www.zerotothree.org/

http://www.azftf.gov/whatwedo/impacting/pages/

supportingkids.aspx

Sign

Language

http://aslbrowser.commtechlab.msu.edu/browser.

htm

Language

Development

http://asha.org/public/speech/development/

http://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/

parent-stim-activities.htm

School

Readiness

Phonemic Awareness

and Literacy

Phonological Awareness

http://www.readingrockets.org/audience/parents/

Math

http://kids.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Math_Activities

:_Preschoolers

http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_i

d=117953

http://www.education.com/activity/preschool/mat

h/

http://www.kaboose.com/

http://www.familytlc.net/index.html

http://www.teachersandfamilies.com/index.html

http://parenting.org/

http://www.onetoughjob.org/

http://www.zerotothree.org/

http://www.azftf.gov/whatwedo/impacting/pages/supportingkids.aspx

http://www.azftf.gov/whatwedo/impacting/pages/supportingkids.aspx

http://aslbrowser.commtechlab.msu.edu/browser.htm

http://aslbrowser.commtechlab.msu.edu/browser.htm

http://asha.org/public/speech/development/

http://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/parent-stim-activities.htm

http://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/parent-stim-activities.htm

http://www.phonologicalawareness.org/

http://www.readingrockets.org/audience/parents/

http://kids.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Math_Activities:_Preschoolers

http://kids.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Math_Activities:_Preschoolers

http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=117953

http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=117953

http://www.education.com/activity/preschool/math/

http://www.education.com/activity/preschool/math/