ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½

Andy DeFreece
Director of Elementary and Early Childhood Education
402.715.8336 Ìý
[email protected]

Mendy Dickey
Secretary for Title I/Preschool
402.715.8339 Ìý
[email protected]

Dr. Amanda Hunt
Coordinator of Early Childhood
402.715.8307Ìý
[email protected]

Jean Savage
Secretary for Early Childhood and Elementary Special Education
402.715.8302 Ìý
[email protected]

Cheris Kite
Facilitator for Early Childhood and K-5 Literacy Intervention
402.715.1431
[email protected]

Do you have questions or concernsÌýabout your child’s development?Ìý We offer free developmental screenings and or evaluations. Our early childhood development specialists may recommend an evaluation for your child's skills.Ìý The screening or evaluation will help determine if there is a delay in your child's skills and if early childhood special education may be appropriate.Ìý Ìýor contactÌýJean Savage atÌý[email protected] orÌý402.715.8302.

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Resources

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Some children may qualify for our home visiting program. This program isÌýcommitted to improving the school readiness and life outcomes of infants and toddlers, especially those most vulnerable to risk factors affecting early brain development and skill formation. Home visitsÌýfocus on young children who experience particular risk factorsÌýknown to affect kindergarten readiness and academic achievement. For more information or to see if you or someone you know may qualify for home visiting, call 402.715.8339. ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ is grateful to theÌýÌýand theÌýÌýfor their financial support of these programs.

Do you have questions or concernsÌýabout your child’s development?Ìý We offer free developmental screenings and or evaluations. The screening or evaluation will help determine if there is a delay in your child's skills and if early childhood special education may be appropriate.Ìý Ìýor contactÌýJean Savage atÌý[email protected] orÌý402.715.8302.

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Preschools offer both half day and full day options for children younger thanÌýkindergarten age. Preschool age is defined by theÌýNebraska Department of Education asÌýchildrenÌýwho have not reached the age of five on or before July 31st of the currentÌýschool year.

Our preschools provide learning experiences that help young children get ready for kindergarten.ÌýThe curriculum reflects the Nebraska Early Learning Guidelines and ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½'s preschool standards and indicators. ItÌýalignsÌýwith our elementary programÌýto provide a seamless transition to school.ÌýOngoing formative assessment and collaborative planning support the diverse developmental, academic, cultural, and family needs of our students.ÌýThe preschool schedule includes whole group, small group, and independent learning opportunities.ÌýOne-third of the time is spent in individual choice interest areas that allow children to explore and expand their learning through play. ÌýThese different structures areÌýprovided to support social-emotional, physical, cognitive and language development. ÌýEarly literacy experiences focus on oral language, basic concepts, vocabulary, phonemic awareness, phonics, and listening comprehension. Early mathematics experiences focus on number sense, problem-solving, and basic concepts in the areas of geometry/spatial sense, measurement, reasoning, patterns/relationships, and using data. Additional learning opportunities include dramatic play, block play, writing, math, art, music and movement, science and discovery, library exploration, technology,Ìýfine motor, and outdoor playtime.

The child’s home and school are their two most important worlds. Our goal is to ensure that we recognize and support parentsÌýas the child’s first teacher. We welcomeÌýfamilies and partner with them.ÌýRegularly scheduled family engagement activities and parent education opportunities are an important component of our preschool program. Ìý

Please note, families must submit the application by a deadline of February 15th. You must reside within the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Public School District boundaries in order to apply for the Traditional Preschool Program.Ìý If you live outside of the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Public School District boundaries, please contact your home district for early childhood services.Ìý

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Montessori Early Childhood (Ages 3-6)

The Montessori program is an option that provides an environment consistent with Dr. Maria Montessori's philosophy in which children learn through spontaneous and prescribed activities based on developmental needs as they become self-directed. ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Public Schools has preschool through grade 5 at two elementary buildings and grades 6-8 at one middle school.
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Program Philosophy

Dr. Maria Montessori believed that the role of education is to create a learning laboratory where the individual is allowed to continue the developmental process, a process begun at conception. This process assists the individual to grow up with a healthy spirit, a strong character and a clear intellect, realizing the interdependence with all of life. The elements of the educational process include the following:

• Methodology is based on movement, activity and habits of work and order.
• The child is guided, moving from simple to complex and concrete to abstract concepts for perceptual and conceptual proficiency.
• The child learns to become inner-directed or self-directed rather than "other-directed".
• There is intrinsic concern for rhythm, balance, and order, which make the life process possible and provides continuity in nature and the universe.

Program Overview

• Each Montessori classroom is multi-aged. Preprimary is ages 3-6 or preschool and kindergarten.
• The classroom environment is designed to facilitate maximum independent learning and exploration by the child.
• The curriculum is interdisciplinary and interactive.
• Concepts are taught using materials that encourage exploration, independence and analytical thinking.
• Lessons are given individually as children are ready for the skill or concept.
• Drama and art are integrated into the prepared environment.

Please note, families living in the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ School district must submit the application by February 15th, 2025. ÌýFamilies living outside of the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ School district must apply before March 15, 2025.

Two committees advise ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Public Schools Early Childhood.

Early Childhood Advisory Committee

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Public Schools, along with community partners vested in early childhood education, meet periodically to work collaboratively for ways to best serve all young children and families in the district and maximize all available resources for the community's use. ÌýMeetings are open for anyone to attend. For more information on the Early Childhood Advisory Committee, or if you are interested in joining the committee, please contact Cheris Kite at [email protected] or 402-715-1431.

• October 24, 2024Ìý(Google Meet)Ìý-

• MarchÌý6, 2025Ìý(Google Meet) -

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Planning Region 21

Planning Region 21 is a group ofÌýparents and communityÌýprofessionals representing ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Public Schools and our families. The group isÌýresponsible for assisting in the planning and implementationÌýof Early Intervention Services.ÌýThe purpose of the Planning team is to assist in the planning and developmentÌýof family-centered, community-based services for all children, with emphasis onÌýthose with disabilities, birth to age five.

We welcome those who are interested in attending a meeting or joining Planning Region 21. Please contact Amanda Hunt at [email protected] or 402-715-8302 for additional information.

2024-25 MEETING DATES

• August 30, 2024Ìý- &
• October 18, 2024Ìý- &
• December 6, 2024Ìý- &
• February 21, 2025Ìý- Agenda &ÌýMinutes
• May 9, 2025Ìý- Agenda/Presentation

Planning Region 21 Members

• Ellen Bennett - Nebraska Respite Network
• Erin Bovick - Parent of a child with special needs
• Allison Domsch - Services Coordinator
• Jennifer Haggart - Early Learning Connection
• Amanda Hunt - Education/Chair
• Rebecca Jacobs -ÌýParent of a child with special needs
• Kim Jipp - Services Coordinator
• Shaista Kiran -ÌýParent of a child with special needs
• Cheris Kite - EC Curriculum Facilitator
• Christa Kreft - CRCC - SW Site Director of Operations
• Sarah Lahman - Kidvanced
• Denise Larson - Education
• Christine McKinney - Services Coordinator
• Lisa Meyer - Curr Dir/Comm Liaison - Imagination Station
• Jeanne MeyerÌý-ÌýEducation/Co-chair
• Blanca Miller - Early Learning Connection
• Ashley Nielsen -ÌýParent of a child with special needs
• Sara Reiff - Services Coordinator
• Tina Velinsky - Munroe Meyer Institute
• Nicole Vogel - Services Coordinator
• Linda Walters - MPS Home Visitor
• Brittney WhiteÌý- Services Coordinator

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Planning Region Grant Opportunities

If you are a parent of a child with special needs and plan to attend a conference or workshop on topics associated with helping your child, you may be eligible for a grant. ÌýEach year, funds are set aside to help families be able to attend conferences without having to worry about the cost. Grants are not based on financial need. Please contact Amanda HuntÌýor 402-715-8302 for more information.

If you are a childcare provider located in the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ Public Schools district, grant opportunities may be available to you when attending training/conferences provided by the Nebraska Early Learning Network. Required trainings such as CPR, First Aid, Safe Sleep, etc do not qualify. Please contact Amanda HuntÌýor 402-715-8302 to see if you are eligible to receive a grant to help with funding.

Resources

These resources mayÌýassist parents and caregivers. Focused on children with disabilities, the links below connect to local, regional and national websites to help you locate information about your child’s diagnosis or condition, identify strategies to help you advocate for your child, and develop community connections for resources and support.

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ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ thanks our partner organizations for making our Early Childhood Program such a rich and rewarding experience for our youngest students! We are proud to partner with you.