Kyrene School District
2015-2016
Meet Our Staff
 Special Education Preschool Teacher
Jennifer Bell
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Bachelors Special Education & Elementary
Education
Early Childhood Endorsement
M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction
 Speech/Language Pathologist
Cheryl Davis
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Cerritos Preschool
Staff
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Bachelors Elementary Education
Masters Clinical Speech Pathology
 Instructional Assistants
Tricia Mante
Jackie Oza
District Specialists
•Director of Special Education
Shari Dukes
•Lead Preschool Teacher
Lori Conroy
•Administrative Assistant
Becky Lugo
•Occupational Therapist
Dawn Bjornson
•Assistive Technology Specialist
Hannah Jones- AT Teacher
Staff Ratio and Hours
• Each day there are three adults for
approximately 16 students
• 1 Highly Qualified Teacher in Special
Education and Early Childhood
• 2 instructional assistants that have
extensive training
• Speech Language Pathologist/Therapist
1 day a week (Friday)
Speech/Language Services
 Leads large group lessons in phonological awareness, speech
sound production, and language skills
 Leads small group lessons working on various language skills
 Works with individual students or small groups on specific goals
during center time
 Consults with preschool staff on ways to support speech and
language skills throughout the day.
About the Program
Focus:
*School Readiness
Perks:
*Language Based
*Ages 3-5
*Integrated
*Range of abilities
Provides:
*Early Intervention Services
Program Philosophy
 Play Based
 Developmentally Appropriate
 Child Directed Play
 Integration-children learn from each other
 Clear Routines and Expectations
 Based on Whole Child
Social/Emotional
Language Skills
Cognitive
Fine and Gross Motor
Self-Help Skills
Role of Typical Peer
Provide appropriate models for
speech and language, behavior,
etc.
Develop friendships and love of
learning
Support Peers in learning
activities
Typical peers learn respect and
appreciation for diversity.
Daily Schedule
 Circle Time
 Small Group Instruction
 Child Directed Play (1 hour)
 Snack Time
 Story Time/Music Time
 Gross Motor Play (30 minutes)
 Closing Circle Time
Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for
children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.
-Fred Rogers
Classroom Centers
 Art Center
 Sensory Table
 Library Area
 Listening Center
 Puzzles and Manipulative
 Math Center
 Science Center
 Language Center
 Dramatic Play Center
 Music Center
 Writing Center
 Blocks and Building Center
Arizona State Standards
for Early Childhood
(Standards guide our instruction)
1. Social/Emotional
2. Approaches to Learning
3. Language and Literacy
4. Mathematics
5. Science
6. Social Studies
7. Physical Development
8. Health and Safety
9. Fine Arts
Preschool Curriculum
 The curriculum is divided into 8 major themes for the
year. (Each theme lasts for 1 month)
 1. Ready for School
 2. My Family
 3. Our Community
 4. Awesome Animals!
 5. Imagine It, Make It
 6. Growing UP Healthy
 7. Nature All Around Us
 8. Moving On
Founding Principles of BIG DAY
(correlate with the AZ State Standards for Early Childhood)
1. Integrated Learning-
learning experiences that integrate all domains
social-emotional, language and literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, arts, and physical
development.
2. Language Development-language development provided through modeling
and reinforcing conversation, vocabulary, and sentence structures across social and academic
settings.
3. Social-Emotional Development-focuses on developing behaviors
and traits that will enable them to function productively and collaboratively in school and society.
4. Responsive Instruction-focus on preparing children for success in school
by monitoring progress and providing responsive instruction based on need for individuals and small
groups.
5. Partner with Families-promotes partnership and communication with
families and extends children’s learning at home.
Preschool Curriculum
 The Big Day program has a parent portal. Please
take the information on the table home with you.
http://auth.grolier.com/login/bdport/login.php?bffs=N
Parent/Teacher Communication
Newsletters
Phone Calls
or Emails
Student
Progress
Reports
Curriculum Night
and Conferences
Progress Reports
 Conferences will be held in October for all
students.
 Parents will receive a written report of
progress in January and May.
 Parents will either be receiving a Teaching
Strategies Gold Report and/or a Progress
Report similar to the Kindergarten Report
Card.
What Parents Can do at Home to
Support Learning
 Read to your child daily. Reading is the single most important
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activity leading to literacy.
Talk to your child, use big vocabulary words, ask lots of
questions, and describe things in detail.
Encourage independence
(even though it might be easier to do things for them,
children really want to be self sufficient)
Sing songs and play games with your child.
Dialogic Reading-the adult helps the child become the teller of
the story. The adult becomes the listener, the questioner, the
audience for the child.
Cerritos Mission Statement
Leaders of Today,
Inspiring Leaders of Tomorrow
7 Habits
 Habit 1-Be Proactive
(you’re in charge)
 Habit 2-Begin with the End in Mind
 Habit 3-Put First Things First
 Habit 4-Think Win-Win
(have a plan)
(work first then play)
(everyone wins)
 Habit 5-Seek First to Understand
then to be understood (listen before you speak)
 Habit 6- Synergize (together is better)
 Habit 7-Sharpen the Saw (have a balance)
We believe that every child possesses leadership skills.
We believe that every child possesses leadership skills.
Class Mission Statement
Hand in Hand
We Fill Buckets
Ways to Support Preschool Program
 Open lines of communication between parents and teacher
 Tax Credit Donation
 See link on district web page
 Volunteer
 Party Coordinator
 Donation of requested items
 Wish List
 Newsletter
www.kyrene.org
“Be a Beacon”
Donation Drive
http://safeshare.tv/w/ftFkNvZUkH
Closing
 End of the Day Song
 Before you Leave…
Please find your child’s photo on the back cabinet to take home.
 Check to be sure that you have signed
the Class Directory