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Currently
we have four half-day preschool classrooms, all located at Evergreen
Avenue School. The session schedule is as follows:
- AM Session: 9:00 a.m. – 11: 30 a.m.
- PM Session: 12:15 noon – 2:45 p.m.
In
order to qualify for the regular, four year old program, a child needs
to be four years old by October 1, 2008. Furthermore, state law requires
students to have a physical examination to be completed by the family
physician prior to the start of school.
In
addition to the four year old classes, there is also a three-year-old
program exclusively for students with special needs. This program also
runs on the same half-day format and includes many of the same characteristics
of the regular program described below.
The
philosophy of the Woodbury Public School’s Pre-K Program is to
identify and address the unique needs of the young children in our
community. The program is strongly rooted in the belief that young
children learn through multi-sensory experiences. These experiences
create permanent connections that form the foundation for eventual
abstract thinking. The natural curiosity of young children is nurtured
and enhanced through experimentation and discovery. Our mission is
to continue upholding this core philosophy as our program moves forward.
A
successful classroom environment fosters real life experiences, an
atmosphere of imagination and individuality, and ample opportunities
for peer modeling and interaction. The inclusion of children with disabilities
is a strong component of the program. Inclusion fosters awareness of
individual differences and learning styles. A collaborative effort
among the classroom teacher, special educator, occupational therapist,
and the speech/language specialists, provides an environment rich in
play experiences that promotes growth and learning across the developmental
continuum.
The
New Jersey Preschool expectations are supported through integrated
thematic units and various child-centered activities. We recognize
that children learn most effectively from their peers in everyday settings
with proper supports in place for child and teacher alike. In addition,
all preschool teachers have received training and are currently using
the Everyday Math Program (preschool version).
As
our mission continues to move forward, the district’s overarching
goal is that such developmentally appropriate experiences supply the
first step in each child’s ultimately successful journey through
the educational process. As a district we have learned that providing
early childhood programming is the key to the future academic success
of our young students. Such early learning experiences are the cornerstones
to solid educational foundations in the future. The district utilizes
many different approaches to be sure that no child is left behind.
A
Preschool Open House for the 2008-09 school year will be held on March 12, 2008 (9:30-10:30 a.m.; 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.). At these times,
parents and their children can visit a PreK classroom and experience
it vividly and firsthand. The district will hold preschool registration
March 24 & 25, 2008 at Evergreen Avenue School. Please call 853-0123 ext 261 to make an appointment.
The
district has established an Early Childhood Advisory Council (ECAC)
to review and provide comment on the operational plan. The ECAC provides
an opportunity for local stakeholders in the education and welfare
of preschool-age children to participate in community-wide planning,
to review progress towards full implementation of high-quality programs,
and to consider and propose resolution to issues that arise during
implementation. Members of the ECAC include district administrators,
preK and kindergarten teachers, parents and a representative from the
Woodbury Child Development Center. The next meeting of the ECAC is
November 13, 2006 at 3:30 pm in the Evergreen Library.
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