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Kathleen - We are here to discuss methods of transitioning/orienting children and families into programs. Do we do enough of that?
Kathleen - I think transitions might be more important than many of our schools make them
meeha/ece/tx - When I have parents coming in to preview my classroom -- they preview about 3 months prior to entry -- I try to have a scrapbook of the current or previous year handy. It is a good communicator of what happens in my early childhood room!
Kathleen - Does anyone bring incoming kids into the classroom or center for a visit before they actually attend?
Kathleen - Scrapbook, good idea
meeha/ece/tx - Yes, we invite parents to bring the children in to 'try on' the class before we admit them to the program.
JM - We screen children in the spring using the Early Prevention of School Failure. Kids and parents come in, look around, meet teachers, etc.
Kathleen - JM, do you meet separately with parents to talk about your program? We do
meeha/ece/tx - All kiddos entering my room have been screened and tested by an intake center (early childhood special education setting)
Deb/Ne - We do home visits prior to entry and also have an open house for parents & kids to visit prior to the school year!
danni - JM..could you tell me how can can get the Early Preventiono f School Fairlure screening tool...hi everyone
meeha/ece/tx - I do scattered home visits, really do like the open house BEFORE school year starts -- I think it helps everyone!
Kathleen - Home visits sound like such a huge commitment. How do you manage that, Deb?
Kathleen - We have public preschool, and it is in the room next to mine, so we get to know each other a bit due to that proximity.
Deb/Ne - I work for Headstart and home visits are part of our enrollment process!
Doug - At our school we have a tea and then we talk about curricular issues. next we have parents sign up to observe their children take the Observation survey . we do this the first two weeks of school. this gives a good orientation as to where there children are at, what needs to be worked on and how they can help.
Kathleen - In NAEYC's journal, Young Children: Saying Good-Bye to Preschool (pub. 1985) Leaving preschool is a big transition for children. The author suggests many ways this transition can be eased and celebrated. Vol 40, Num 3, Page(s) 11-15
Doug - I also show a video showing kindergarten at the last month of school so they can see what it looks like.
Doug - allof the k teachers at our school are Reading Recovery teachers so we stay usually focused on early reading strategies
meeha/ece/tx - With my 'special needs' preschoolers I start working with the group moving up the January before they leave the program. I tell them they are no longer in preschool, they are "practicing Kindergartners" -- we enforce rules like they will see in K. (In my program up to that point the focus is just getting them to talk! Now it is time to teach them some control of talking and some 'better' group habits!)
Kathleen - Also in NAEYC's Young Children: Research in Review. Children's Transition to Kindergarten. (pub. 1994) A review of the literature on children's transition to kindergarten focusing particularly on the factors that affect children's initial school adjustment and the implications of the research. Vol 49, Num 6, Page(s) 56-63
JM - danni, Early Prevention of School Failure is a national program which was born out of a research study. If you'ree interested, you can call the non-profit organization at 708-258-3478. I honestly have very mixed feelings about it. It consists of about 5 sub tests, so can be quite lengthy and, I think, scary for the kids. It does provide a lot of information though and follow up resources.
meeha/ece/tx - We also try to put children who are old enough into the Kdg. classroom for a portion of the day for several weeks before the end of the year.
Mary K&1 - Doug, are all the children attenting school during those first two weeks? If so, who is tending to them while you give the OS? How does that work?
Deb/Ne - We took our students to their prospective kindergarten classrooms and had prearranged with their teacher to do a story or show them around the room...They loved this!!
nicey - At our daycare we also have welcome banners for each child placed at the entrance
Doug - When I taught in Oregon, the kindergarten teacher would use the first week of school to have conferences with the child and the parents together. She would show the bathrooms , play areas, etc. No crying on the first day.....
Kathleen - Another NAEYC Young Children article related to transitions but in a different circumstance: New Beginnings: Transitions for Difficult Children (pub. 1995) The author describes the "new beginning" children who had been expelled or threatened with expulsion from a different program received in her center. She discusses the key elements of the new beginning, important staff teaching behaviors, working with the family, and the transition process between programs.. Vol 50, Num 3, Page(s) 17-23
Kathleen - nicey, that sets a welcoming tone :-)
Doug - Mary- the parents come after school. We usually do one child a day...mornings are usually filled with OS testing with first graders. Unfortunately we have been told that we can't use OS scores from K. they are only good for 3 weeks. So when they come back on track, it has been 6 weeks.
Kathleen - Some teachers mail a welcoming letter with info about program, curriculum, materials needed, procedures. Does anyone do that?
nicey - The director also has the child(ren) come in for two hours a day at the centre's least busiest time for a few days
Deb/Ne - I've sent a letter along with a picture of myself and inviting the children to bring a teddy bear with them for their first week of school!
Doug - Kathleen- i used to until our secretary myseriously disappears the stamps....LOL
meeha/ece/tx - I just send a 'welcome to my class' card and invite the children to visit the room at our before-school-opens open house -- or when the parents can bring them in!
tee - This isn't my first year teaching but it is my first teaching Kindergarten. When the parents bring their children in to register they are brought down to my room to see the room and meet the teacher. After I welcome them I tell the parents that they may look around the room, join in with the activities and to ask any questions they or their child has. I tell them to stay as long as they want. I think I will have picnic and have the new students for an afternoon before the school year is out
Kathleen - A picture of yourself, that's a neat idea
Kathleen - tee, so when the parents and incoming child visit, you have your current students in the classroom? A picnic is a nice idea
Kathleen - In NAEYC's Young Children: Saying Good-Bye to Preschool (pub. 1985) Leaving preschool is a big transition for children. The author suggests many ways this transition can be eased and celebrated. Vol 40, Num 3, Page(s) 11-15
nicey - Also when the child comes to daycare we pair him up with a friend or buddy from his group. This is always someone who is fairly outgoing and not shy.
tee - Yes and we just go on with our routines, including our visitor if they want to participate
meeha/ece/tx - My program is changing buildings in the fall. We are having a end-of-year picnic involving families of all children involved in the transition, the administrators at the two campuses and the teachers involved in the switch -- gets parents in contact with each other, administrators, and other kiddos!
Kathleen - When children move and have to enter a new school or program: Young Children, When Young Children Move (pub. 1985) This article describes some of the ideas children have about moving and separation. It also provides strategies to help children with the transition. Vol 40, Num 6, Page(s) 51-57
Doug - mary- with the OS at the beginning of the year, we only give LI, CAP (shortened version), WV and TR. We save WT and HRSW until the end of the year
Kathleen - Having the walk through visit is nice, but it means repeating information over and over to parents. Do you also have a meeting when you can address parents as a group?
nicey - Usually when the child comes to daycare for the first little while he is not confined to one area. They are usually allowed to roam freely within eye view. After about a week or two, they will be gradually eased into the schedule of the rest of the group.
meeha/ece/tx - I put it ALL in writing! Parents can ask questions if the info is unclear or doesn't answer a question.
Kathleen - nicey, your center seems to have child-friendly policies. Is it naeyc accredited?
tee - i have a prepared parent handbook
meeha/ece/tx - tee -- the parent handbooks are a good idea!
nicey - Before the child begins orientation, they usually visit the centre with their parents. The director then takes them on a tour of the centre and the child can play as the adults talk.
Doug - I don't mean to be rude but my clothes are needing to be folded otherwise i have to iron. I draw the line there.....
Kathleen - There seems to be agreement that a prepared booklet or packet of printed information is important. What kinds of info do you include?
shay - The school I used to work in had "curriculum night" where the teachers stated their objectives and goals. it was run like an open house, so we ended up repeating ourselves a few time a night. the parent handbook idea sounds like a real time saver in terms of repetition.
JM - I am really excited. Next year I will be returning to kindergarten and our school will have a full-day, every day program. I really like the ideas I"m seeing here. I hope to visit every child (I only anticipate 15) and, hopefully, bring each child a book to read and a monarch caterpillar to observe. When the children come to school, they'll see caterpillars at all different stages.
Kathleen - shay, they should schedule one time when the teachers make the formal presentation, that isn't practical to have to repeat to a moving target! :-)
nicey - I'm not sure if it is naeyc accredited because we are Canadian.
tee - arrival and dismissal times, what time a staff member is in the room
Kathleen - JM, excellent ideas! Will the book be related to the caterpillar/butterfly theme?
Kathleen - 15 all day every day!! wow! sounds like heaven!
canuk - Have you discussed Kindergarten orientation into grade one?
nicey - Our centre also has a handbook which outlines all policies.
shay - I know but there were many parents who had more than one child in the school and had to see more than one teacher. so we had to repeat. that's why the handbook idea sounds so ideal
Kathleen - naeyc accredits in Bermuda, I think it does in Canada as well. They met in Toronto last fall.
meeha/ece/tx - I also try to include phone numbers and 'sick child' policies -- like when to call, when to keep the child at home, etc.
JM - If I can round up enough book club bonus points, I'd like to get multiple copies of The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Kathleen - canuk, not yet, let's though. Do you think issues are different going from k to one than from pre-k to k?
shay - speaking of sick child policies - how strictly are they enforced? I am on antibiotics now because some kid came back to school too early and gave me strep! I am livid!
meeha/ece/tx - JM -- wouldn't it be nice if we could get a 'copycat' copyright of blackline masters ffor the hungry caterpillar?
canuk - from k to one is more a question of getting the children to feel comfortable, with the younger programs I think its the parents you target
meeha/ece/tx - shay ... depends on if we catch that the child is still sick! our nurse will send 'em home if we catch them.
JM - It sure would. The books are 3.95 each or 40 points!
Kathleen - canuk, I also think the change is often more drastic from k to one, don't you?
shay - there's a literature folder for the hungry caterpillar - i got it in my local teachers store. has a lot of terrific links to other curriculum areas and good projects
canuk - yes, although the more you can make it resemble k with grouping and centres, the easier the children feel
JM - Thanks!! Do you know who makes it? Is it a Frank Schaffer?
meeha/ece/tx - I think the classroom looks more different from K to 1, looks to me like the kids really (genuinely) start doing 1st work pretty early in K at this poing!
nicey - I think that Kindergarten to Grade One is more drastic as well because the child is required to be in school all day as opposed to half-days.
Kathleen - canuk, I always orient my k students to the concept of "desk" before they leave me :-)
shay - meeha - I wish my school were more careful about that - i really feel lousy and my throat is killing me! the child went home on tues with 102 orally, and was back the next morning!
meeha/ece/tx - at this point!
canuk - We used to do some centres with mixed age groupings, but this year we are "swapping " groups of kids, four per morning twice a week for three weeks, both classrooms are following the same theme
meeha/ece/tx - 24 hours is the rule in our building -- we can send them straight home from the room (no nurse) if that is the case!
Kathleen - I bring in an empty student desk, talk about what it is used for, what should and shouldn't go into it. I try to make it sound wonderful and exciting to have ones own desk :-)
nicey - The sick child policy is enforced at our centre. For example if a child has chicken pox parents are contacted immediately.
shay - I'm not sure - it's one of those trifold jobs. it's in my classroom right now - sorry!
Kathleen - HI, Addie, we're talking about orienting and transitioning kids between programs/classrooms. You have a nice handbook that you share with parents. When do you give it out?
shay - 24 hours is our rule too, but obviously not enforced! I had to take a day off - but then, they had to find a sub!
Addie k/mo - the parent letter that i do for my class is passed out open house night, the night before school starts
canuk - My one two class has kids sitting at communal tables, with three desks around the perimeter for kids who can't cope with a particular work period - collaborative learning
JM - When I taught first grade, we used to have a "Move-Up" day for children to spend a day with the teacher they would be with in the fall. It's a wonderful way to make kids feel more comfortable. Some years, we made it just a portion of the day.
Addie k/mo - we had a kindergarten round-up for all the k'ers, but they dont know what class they are in, so only very general info is presented and info about the school. they got a copy of the school handbook that all students get
Addie k/mo - all grades have open house/parent meeting that the teachers go over the rules for the classroom and what to expect from the year
Kathleen - I don't think I could handle an open house the night before school starts, too tiring! How do you like it, Addie? Does it work well for you?
nicey - Another good idea for orientation is that the director of the centre should do a home visit with the child.
Addie k/mo - we are in the same hallway with first grade, so most of our k kids are familiar with the first grade teachers and where the rooms are
shay - about the K/1 transition: in my school we had a full day K, and the kids still had a shock in 1st grade. we tried to prepare them for it, and they would also visit a first grade class. they were usually psyched for it, but it's still a shock when they really have to sit and not have playtime or centers!
Kathleen - Those who do home visits, do you always go at least in pairs? Is going alone to a stranger's home a good idea?
nicey - We used to have open house nights but many times the parents just didn't show up, so the centre stopped having them.
Kathleen - first grade should have playtime and centers. It's sad that so many don't, do you agree?
Addie k/mo - i didn't like it at first, because it is stressful...i really dont like talking in front of groups of adults and you have to have everything ready the night before...but now that i have gotten used to it, i do think it helps with tears the next day and we can get all the bus info straight!
meeha/ece/tx - Kat -- I do some home visits -- some alone, some with a partner. ALWAYS leave address/phone of places to which I'm going (schedule) in the office and check in with someone at designated times!
canuk - Why don't they have centres. My One/Two class has free choice centres in the afternoon for an hour per day for the first week of school. It pays dividends in the kids attitude to the transition
Gumbo/K/La - VERY sad, kat......
JM - I can't imagine an open house the night before sschool starts, either. Our orientation night for next fall's kindergarteners is in two weeks. We will present our proposed "all- day" schedule and show some slides of this years kids involved in different activities.
Kathleen - Hi, sap, we're talking about orientation to new programs and classrooms
tee - This year I had the new kindergartens come in with what's called staggered entry. My principal had me do this in two days. Any comments, suggestions
Kathleen - canuk, not everyone is as wise as you and your one/two teacher/s
mouse - I am a education major and was hoping someone could help me out? How to teachers handle the negativity that comes from other teachers and administrators toward students?
shay - yes - they're still babies, and they can learn so much through play and centers. discovery is the key!
Addie k/mo - i dont know about playtime (except for recess) in first, but i do think material should be presented in center or workshop format with lots of hands on in first
nicey - Usually in the morning before the schedule officially starts; children have free play.
sap - first grade needs more playtime. I think we make our kids hate school.
Kathleen - tee, I like the idea. The problem is, state laws often require a certain number of days, so we don't always have that flexibility. It's a good idea.
Addie k/mo - the open house is an hour and a half and we have to present to parents three times. i did a powerpt thing this year and went over all our objectives and procedures and answered questions
meeha/ece/tx - I LIKE doing the open house before school starts. It gets the kids ready, the parents feel better, and I'm ready on time! I actually have VERY FEW criers, they've already been introduced to the room and the teacher, no strangeness there!
canuk - the policy for our system is staggered entry for k for the first week. Half the ks go for the first hour, the others for the second. It really helps both kid and teacher
Kathleen - sap, what grade/age do you teach?
Addie k/mo - i havent had any criers for three years in a row...would give credit to the open house the night before
meeha/ece/tx - in some districts 1st goes 1/2 days for the first week or two of school -- 1/2 class at a time -- helps the kids adjust to the schedule and the teachers to get to know the kids better/more personally
Kathleen - Do you think that children are more able to handle transitions these days since so many have been involved with day care early on?
Gumbo/K/La - district stopped 1/2 day for first week for kinders----too much 'instructional' time 'wasted' they said.......
shay - we also had a staggered entry in our K, half the class for a few hours and then the other half. just to get them adjusted. but the next day was business as usual!
Addie k/mo - i also had the parents fill out a pink sheet of information, what bus, etc....lots of them didnt know! i said, well, go down to the office and find out and be sure to bring back that pink paper before you leave! i also asked them what their plans were for the first day of school for transportation...had this all in writing in my sweaty little palms! made things go much smoother first day
JM - For us, transportation is a problem. I don't believe parents would be willing to do reduced days to start off
meeha/ece/tx - Kat -- honestly I think kiddos who bounce from day care to day care have a harder time with the transitions! Their lives are SO unsettled! it may help some with the entry process, though.
Addie k/mo - our kids come full day right off the bat, and, yes, kat i do believe that the kids are more used to dealing with adults that are not in their family and new situations with so many working parents
Kathleen - meeha, good point.
Addie k/mo - it probably depends on the child, my own was very adaptable and i think it was due to the fact that he had always been used to being with other people
shay - good luck, all. I hear a small voice calling me - bedtime! I always get upset when parents appear to neglect their kids - ignore homework, notes, etc. so, I'm going to give my youngest some undivided attention! good night, all
nicey - Yes children are more able to handle transitions these days. Most children these days are being cared for by others when they are as young as six months old. Also you may have children at the centre who have been in daycare before.
Addie k/mo - some parents stop by when we are working on our rooms and visit then too...i really dont like that in a way cause stuff is such a mess and the kids are looking around like...."this is my classroom?!?!?!!?"
canuk - Often I find the kids who have the hardest time are the ones with anxious moms
Kathleen - Addie, either that or they are tearing it apart!
JM - Does anyone have any suggestions about how to help the parents who aren't able to leave their children because of their own "Separation anxieties"?
We have a few who are still hanging around and it is not always the best for the children!
Valerie/k/ga - Thanks. I was reading and the discussion looked interesting.
Addie k/mo - amen, canuk! sometimes it is the moms who dont want to leave and i think subconciously or consiously want their kids to cry so they will feel "needed"
Valerie/k/ga - At our spring orientation, we encourage the parents to "back off"
Kathleen - JM, the older I get, the more direct, but still kind, I am in addressing those issues with parents. Though the older I get, the more I am happy and comfortable to have parents around. But sometimes it IS better for them to leave.
canuk - Our former principal used to give a strong invitationfor coffee and chat to get to know the principal on the first day, after that the parents saw junior was ok
Addie k/mo - kat, i tell the kids to stop if they are tearing around the room...i just say, "ohhhhhh, that is not the way we behave at school, lets try (fill in the blank)"...then if the parents get mad they can switch 'em to another room! LOL! i really try not to offend the parent, but i dont allow it!
meeha/ece/tx - I always invite parents to be a part of my classroom, but strongly encourage them to give the child a week or two to establish him/herself in the classroom before joining us! If they are in the room I give them a job -- no idle watchers in my room!
Valerie/k/ga - canuk - that is a good idea. It works.
Kathleen - Addie, LOL! good approach.
Valerie/k/ga - I agree, meeha. I want to establish a good rapport with the parents but I ned to also establish the bond with the children the first few days.
Addie k/mo - i just say, it is time to begin class now and it is time for mom to go, she will see you at three.....i reassure mom that i will take good care of junior and try to engage junior in an activity
Kathleen - canuk, that's a good idea. We have to remember what it's like the first time we let go of our precious little ones. It can be traumatic for the parent.
nicey - At our centre, the parents are encouraged to go to another room in the centre and observe their child.
Valerie/k/ga - I am lucky to have a para-pro who stations herself out side the classroom door, allowing me to engage the children as soon as they come in, and also catching the parent sa they don't come in the room. It doesn't always work but it does most of the time.o
Sherry/GA/K - My school is trying something new this fall...not placing K in permanent homeroom for 2 weeks. We have to do our SIA screening, so the teachers will rotate among groups of kids for 2 wks., then get room assignments. Anyone heard of doing this before???
Addie k/mo - also, the night before, i let the parents know in the group presentation that it is best to put them on the bus and let them begin their regular routine...but if they really want to bring them (kodak moment)...snap those pictures and say a quick goodbye...i suggest to parents that if they present school as something that they are confident that their child can do and will like, they are more likely to leave without tears
meeha/ece/tx - i have the opposite problem with 2 of my sped ece kiddos -- mom wants them in the room and they stop in the hallway! I have to go out and coerce or carry them in to the classroom!
Addie k/mo - wow, sherry, wont that be hard for those kids who really need an adult to identify with?
Valerie/k/ga - Sherry - that sounds like a nightmare! I would not like to do that. Waht district are you in?
Kathleen - Sherry, I haven't heard of anything like that. What do you think of that idea? I have concerns similar to Addie's.
Addie k/mo - sherry, what does your school hope to accomplish by this procedure?
meeha/ece/tx - Sherry -- no, but it sounds like a good idea! you'll be able to kind of group kids based on personality issues (if some don't work well together!) we've had to move kids the last 2 years just based on class interactions. 2 weeks was adequate time to realize the patterns and maximize the groupings!
Kathleen - For anyone who doesn't know: every Tuesday is Early Childhood/Primary Meeting night, right here, 9 pm ET (8C,7M,6P).
Valerie/k/ga - I have been in schools that change the make up of the class after SIA testing and it was just awfull.
Addie k/mo - i remember one little girl i had 7 or 8 years ago who followed me and held onto my skirt crying silent tears for 2 days! the switching would be impossible with a child like her!
Addie k/mo - what is SIA?
Sherry/GA/K - Valerie-in district 8--we've talked to another county that's been doing it for 3 yrs. They said the benefits are: You don't have to change classes for SIA kids only; all teachers meet all kids; parents get to know all teachers,etc., but I'm still worried about ownership for the kids.
Valerie/k/ga - Specila Instructional Assistance for the children who "fall between the cracks"
nicey - I have to agree with Addia and Kathleen concerning what Sherry said. Young children need to identify with their own teacher.
Valerie/k/ga - Sherry - that is my concern. where is District *?
Addie k/mo - so do they group the kids so that your classes are balanced, high med low? or do they group kids with similar needs together?
Valerie/k/ga - Addie - usually it is for high/med/low grouping
canuk - Would it not make more sense to screen kids when they are comfortable rather thatn straight off the bat?
Kathleen - Sherry, well, meeha sees positives, and you have positive testimony from others who have done it, so go with that. You can work to change it for the next year if you feel it doesn't work well for kids.
Kathleen - Val, you mean hetero grouping, right?
Sherry/GA/K - Southwest GA ...Addie, classes are randomly grouped, but SIA students are evenly distributed.
Valerie/k/ga - Yes.
Addie k/mo - we have our screening in apr...the kids come in for about an hour of testing..then the results are discussed with parents
canuk - In our school it wouldn't make a difference, only one class anyway!
Valerie/k/ga - Addie - we do that, too but what about the kids hat don't register until Labor day?d
nicey - Here in our province children have a preschool check before they enter kindergarten.
Kathleen - canuk, LOL!
Sherry/GA/K - The state dept. has informed us that spring testing will no longer be valid due to developmental changes over the April to Sept. months.
Addie k/mo - they supposedly try to balance our classes using the kind. screening, but i dont think it works very well, only extremely high and extremely low scores prove accurate...those that score in the average range, can pretty much go high or low or just be average...test scores are a big deal here, so it is a concern to try to have the classes balanced, so that it is "fair"
Valerie/k/ga - Wow, sherry ! No way! I havn't heard that one!
Sherry/GA/K - district 8, not *..I'm sorry
Addie k/mo - sherry, that makes sense, but i still like the spring screening, because if a child shows a possible problem in vision or hearing or in language, parents have over the summer to try to help
nicey - In this province, children who are attending kindergarten the following September attend an orientation session the previous May or June for an hour or so.
meeha/ece/tx - Sherry, we struggle with that as we determine placement for the fall with sped kiddos who may or may not be ready to move to K -- three months is a long time for a 4 or 5 year old, a lot of skills can fall into place!
Sherry/GA/K - Addie, I agree, it also eases the transition, they come meet us in April, again in August for Open House, then school starts and they're not as afraid.
Addie k/mo - so, meeha, they dont automatically move to k if they are k age? in our ece spec ed they do because of funding...they cant collect money if a k-aged kids is in ece sped. it just depends on what accomodations are made for that child in the classroom
Sherry/GA/K - I have some concerns, but I can see some positives, esp. for parents who will get the chance to meet all of the teachers.
meeha/ece/tx - until the year they turn 6 during the school year they can stay with us ... then we have to offer full day option.
Addie k/mo - sherry, do they allow parents to request teachers?
Sherry/GA/K - also for the chance to separate behavior-clash students.
Sherry/GA/K - Addie, yes---they can make 3 requests.
Addie k/mo - sherry, i see some advantages to seeing those behavior concerns and separating them...
meeha/ece/tx - 3 requests?
Addie k/mo - how many k teachers are there?
meeha/ece/tx - I would think the best situation would be to tenatively group the kiddos and try to keep the groups as stable as possible ... only a very few changes!
Addie k/mo - meeha, our kinders do turn six during the school year, so maybe that is why they have to move on
Sherry/GA/K - They choose 3 teachers, and their child will be placed in one of those classes; not everyone does it. We have 8 teachers, and only one school in the entire county. We're small and rural.
meeha/ece/tx - ours turn 6 during the school year, the ece program can, in effect, hold them back one extra year -- with IEP committee agreement.
canuk - I have to sign off, we have a strike looming, and incase we go out this month and its a long one, the board is insisting we have our reports done!
meeha/ece/tx - we DO try to mainstream them for a portion of the day, too!
Addie k/mo - pretty much our k'ers are mainstreamed...some with personal aides, but rarely are they pulled out into spec ed classes
meeha/ece/tx - there is virtually no sped support for K'ers here (other than speech) ... and personal aides are essentially unheard of! heads roll when we request or suggest that option!
Sherry/GA/K - We are blessed to have good SpEd support. Our SpEd Dir. is a former K teacher! That helps.
Addie k/mo - we have had some kids with some fairly severe handicaps...downs syndrome, autism, etc. those kids are in reg classes with an aide...the older they get the more pull out time there is...as the gap widens between them and the other students
Kathleen - bye, thanks to all for coming!
