Preschool News by Mary Harold
March 18, 2009
The 2008-2009 school year is going by quickly. It is hard to believe that spring is just around the corner. Staff in both counties are very busy preparing to transition over 100 children from preschool to kindergarten. All of these children needs to be re-evaluated and a new Individualized Education Plan (IEP) written, if applicable. The staff also continues to see all of the children that are currently on their caseload. We are still receiving referrals from Help Me Grow (HMG), Head Start, parents, and other agencies. These children also have to be observed, evaluated, an Evaluation Team Report (ETR) written, and an IEP written in a timely manner.
HMG is an agency who provides central intake and referral for children, ages birth through 2, with developmental disabilities and a referring agency for children transitioning to preschool and/or Head Start. It is mandatory that children receiving services exiting from HMG have an ETR and IEP, if applicable. We can receive HMG referrals when the child turns 2 1/2 years of age.
Another initiative on the forefront in the State of Ohio is the Early Learning Guidelines. We have started implementing these guidelines as of July 1, 2008. A committee of preschool teachers and I have been meeting all year long, bimonthly, working on getting these implemented. We have submitted a plan to the Office of Early Learning and School Readiness last spring.
Preschool is in a constant state of change. This is just another very exciting year with many new initiatives on the forefront.
Congratulations for Adena, Paint Valley, and Unioto school districts for receiving money to start Early Childhood classrooms.
