PROGRAM OVERVIEW

District 102 offers a blended Early Childhood Program for children ages 3-5. Children are taught in classrooms which consist of approximately 5-6 children who are eligible for special education and related services and approximately 10 typically developing peers from the community.

Mission Statement
The mission statement of the Early Childhood Program is to provide a comprehensive, child-centered learning environment, which supports each child's development through a developmentally appropriate individualized education experience.

SCREENINGS

All children entering the Early Childhood Program must participate in a screening before they can begin the program.

District 102 uses a play-based screening process located in the Early Childhood classroom. There are usually three to five children in the screening and they may move freely through stations that allow them to demonstrate cognitive skills, speech/language skills, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, play skills, and pre-academic skills.

The screening process lasts approximately three hours and two time slots are available, 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Parents are sent a packet prior to the screening which includes a family history survey, home language survey and at-risk checklist. Parents will meet with the Social Worker during the screening the review this paperwork.

Parents may be asked for consent to complete a more thorough evaluation of their child. Based on this evaluation, it will be determined if the child is eligible to receive any special education or related services.

Children must have a hearing and vision test at least one week prior to the screening. This test can be scheduled by calling our nurse, Chris Straszewski at 847-353-5703.

To schedule an appointment for your child to participate in a screening, please call Janet Rotman at 847-353-5679. Screenings are scheduled monthly on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Professionals in attendance for the screening include:

Director of Student Services
At-Risk Teacher
Psychologist
Social Worker
Occupational Therapist
Speech Pathologist
Parents

TUITION

Children who do not meet eligibility requirements may participate in the program on a tuition basis. Tuition for the 2009-2010 school year is $225.00 per month.

CURRICULUM

The curriculum incorporates a daily routine that focuses on the key experiences of language and literacy, socialization, music, movement, classification, number, space and time. For example, during the Spring, children learn all about Spring such as:

* what happens outside when Spring starts,
* patterning, sorting and number concepts while they "work" in their "Flower Shop" located in the dramatic play center.

CLASSROOM TEACHERS

Each classroom teacher is dual certified in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education. In addition, each classroom has at least one teaching assistant.

Classroom Teachers:
Shelby Anstedt
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847-353-5730

Melissa Aussem
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847-353-5731

Marie Petraitis
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847-353-5736

Cheryl Wyer
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847-353-4604

Speech Language Pathologist
Judy Burnett
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847-353-5727

Psychologist
Jenna Duffy
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847-353-3586

Social Worker
Laura Greco
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847-353-4606

English Language Learner Teacher
Sung Park
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847-353-5732

Physical Therapist
Jennifer Ryan
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847-353-5741

Occupational Therapist
Kelly Weiner
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847-353-5741

TIME AND LOCATION

The Early Childhood Program meets Monday through Friday at Pritchett Elementary School, 200 Horatio Blvd. Children are assigned to either the morning or afternoon session based on age and development readiness.

A.M. Session: 8:45 - 11:15
P.M. Session: 12:15 - 2:45

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation is only provided for children who meet certain Special Education eligibility requirements or At-Risk criteria.

SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST:

1. Full change of clothes, including pants, shirt, underwear and socks, labeled with child's first and last name.
2. Two liquid hand soaps with pump.
3. One box of Crayola Broadline washable markers (box of 8 classic colors)
4. One box of regular sized Crayola crayons
5. One bottle of Elmer's white liquid glue
6. Two boxes of Kleenex
7. Two rolls of paper towels
8. Three glue sticks (large size)
9. Diapers and wipes (if necessary)

ATTENDANCE POLICY

The Early Childhood attendance policy states that:

If your child will be absent for an illness or other reasons, you MUST call the Pritchett Attendance Hotline no later than 8:30 a.m. Please do not call the District Office.

Absentee Hotline: 847-353-5591, ext. 6286
After 9:00 a.m. please call: 847-353-5700

Please give the following information:
1. Child’s name
2. Reason for absence
3. Length of absence
4. Teacher’s name
5. AM or PM class

If the Pritchett Office has not received a call regarding an absent child, the parents will be called. Home numbers will be called first and if there is no response then the parent’s work number will be called. If the school is unable to reach a parent, the emergency contacts will be called in the order they are written.

PAID TUITION STUDENTS ONLY

If your child attends the program as a paid tuition student and will be absent for 11 or more consecutive days, he/she will be removed from the program and put on a waiting list (if necessary) for re-entry into the program. However, you may choose to continue to pay the monthly tuition during your child’s absence in order to hold your child’s spot in the program. If you choose to do this please call Janet Rotman at 847-353-5769 as soon as possible.

For more information on District 102's Early Childhood Program, please contact Megan Clarke, Director of Student Services, at 847-353-5676 or Janet Rotman at 847-353-5679 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .