Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Next week is BABY week in Preschool



If anyone have any baby dolls, clothing, or accessories they would like to donate to the program...we would LOVE them!!!!  Just let your child's teacher know!

Monday, January 28, 2013

Family Survey

  • Hello,

  • Thank you so much to everyone who responded to our family survey. The last day to take the survey is Wednesday January 30th. After that we will analyze the results and report back to you.


  • Here is the link if you have not yet filled it out. It is only 10 questions and takes just a few minutes to complete.


  • http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3XL663G


  • Thank you

Jennifer, Carrie, Didi and Shelley

Friday, January 25, 2013

Playdough Please...

we need playdough makers!!!  If you would like to make playdough for our classrooms that would be great!  Here is the recipe.  It is really easy and fun to do with your child.  We need 4 batches of this recipe.

Ingredients
1 cup flour
1 cup water
2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/3 cup salt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
food coloring
Instructions
Mix together all the ingredients, except the food coloring, in a 2 quart saucepan. Cook over low/medium heat, stirring. Once it begins to thicken, add the food coloring. Continue stirring until the mixture is much thicker and begins to gather around the spoon. Remove the dough onto wax paper or a plate to cool.

If you are interested in making it, please contact your child's teacher.

jknowles@mtsd-vt.org
cpremsagar@mtsd-vt.org
shenson@mtsd-vt.org
dkinaman@mtsd-vt.org

Monday, January 21, 2013

Penguins in Preschool!


It is Penguin, Penguins and more Penguins in preschool for the next 2 weeks!  Stay tuned for fun and educational activities related to these cute little creatures (see above picture as an example of penguins being Super Friends!)

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Donation Requests

Hi Families,

We are in need of a few items for our preschool classrooms.  If you would like to donate any of the following we would greatly appreciate it.

*Glue Sticks
*Skinny Markers...  we only have yellow left :( 
*Hand Soap
*Shaving Cream
*Food Coloring
*Sanitizing Wipes
*Paper Towels
*Sponges
*Dish soap
*Valentine making supplies (stickers, sequins, foam shapes)

Thank you for your ongoing support, we have almost 100 children enrolled in our preschool programs with a limited supply budget so we are very grateful for your donations to help maintain a clean and FUN classroom!

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Ice + Salt + Food Coloring

Such fun!  We talked all about the changes in the ice and how the colors spread and how it looked like the aurora borealis :)

Try it at home!

Monday, January 14, 2013

PARENT SURVEY

Please take our parent survey

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3XL663G



If you would like a hard copy, please let your child’s teacher know.


THANK YOU!!!

Friday, January 11, 2013

Pass the word along...

Milton Early Education Program Lottery Notice

Milton Town Schools District offers community preschool for children 3-5 years old, 3 by September 1, 2013. The on site preschool program is part time with children attending either mornings or afternoons. Children are grouped mainly by age. There is no charge for this preschool and children will be selected through a random lottery. If you are interested in your child attending, please contact Shelley Henson, Carrie Premsagar, or Jennifer Knowles at 893-3215, extension 1425 or shenson@mtsd-vt.org. Please leave your name, address, phone number, child’s name and date of birth. The selection will by a random drawing on April 15. There is no advantage to having been in the lottery prior to April 15. Children currently enrolled in preschool will remain enrolled if desired until age eligible for kindergarten. New children who are selected will remain in the program until kindergarten if desired.

The school district also contracts with several area home child care providers and early education programs for preschool spaces also. Depending on the teacher qualifications at the center or home, parents will receive reduced tuition at those sites. Parents interested in a space with a contracted provider should contact Vicki Patterson or Jen Hayes at the Milton Family Community Center, 893-1457.

Families will be notified by mail if they have a space for the 2013-2014 school year. If your child is selected in the lottery, there will be a mandatory registration at the school on Thursday, May 2 in the afternoon. Children enrolling in the fall will need a copy of their birth certificate, immunization records, proof of residency and a registration form. Details will accompany your notification. The registrar will be available that afternoon for questions and to assist in the enrollment. Parents must make prior arrangements for registration if unable to attend that day. Spaces will be considered declined if we are not contacted for registration by May 2.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Stamped Envelopes please!

We are planning to have the children write a "letter" to themselves and mail them (as part of our post office unit). It would be great if you could send in an envelope with a stamp on it (or several if you wish to donate a few). We are planning this activity for the end of next week.
As always
THANK YOU (oh and PLEASE label your child’s outdoor clothing!) J

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Importance of Early Intervention and Education


The Importance of Early Intervention and Education

The time period between the ages of birth to five is the most critical period in child development. The brain grows at a remarkable rate and neurological pathways are being created in all developmental areas. Most children, given opportunities and interactions develop in typical patterns and at a rate that fall within a normal range.

There are children who do not follow the expected trajectory for a number of reasons, many of which are unknown. The importance of providing appropriate and high quality intervention during this time can not be overstated. It is essential that children in need of early intervention and education receive these services. Early Intervention is specialized services for children ages 0-3.

Here in Milton services for children from ages 3-5 are included in the Milton Early Education Program located at the Milton Elementary School, our publicly funded preschool. If you have any concerns about your preschool age child's development, in the areas of communication, behavior, motor skills, thinking, playing, social/emotional, interaction or self help skills, staff at the Milton Early Education Program is available to provide screenings and evaluations at no cost. These screenings can be done at home, childcare setting or at the school. If it is determined that your child is in need of services, they are available through the program as well. Services provided in preschool can help immensely when children enter Kindergarten. The Milton Early Education program is accredited by the National Association of Young Children and has achieved 5 Stars from the Department of Children and Families. The teachers and speech therapists who work within the program are all master level teachers and the support staff is highly trained. Consultation from physical and occupational therapists are available if needed as well.

As one parent states “My daughter attends the EEE preschool program in Milton and we have had a great experience. The teachers and support staff are extremely knowledgeable and helpful in evaluating her and determining a plan to educate her in a manner that is suited to her needs. It’s so important to catch things early on in your child’s development, the earlier the better. I would highly recommend discussing any concerns you may have with the educators at EEE! ~Deb Robinson “

It is equally, if not more, important to receive Early Intervention (EI) Services for children ages birth to 3 if they are needed. Evaluations for EI services are provided by school staff. Services can include speech/language therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, developmental education and behavioral support. Services for children under the age of 3 occur at home, childcare or playgroup settings. The services are provided through staff at Vermont Family Network and the Visiting Nurses Association. Children under the age of 3 are eligible for services if there is an observable and measurable delay in development or if the child has a diagnosed medical condition, this including prematurity (birth prior to 32 weeks gestation). All children who enter the foster care system with documentation of abuse or neglect are also eligible for an evaluation.

The follow are excerpts from an essay written by Nell Solleder, a parent of a child with special needs. “When my son was first diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, there was a possibility that he might not speak. He had only two words in his vocabulary at the of 18 months. Many people even told me to wait and not worry about this (boy am I glad that I never took this advice). I strongly believe that our lives would be very different if Early Intervention was never introduced to my son.
Ages 0-3 is a critical time for cognitive development in a child (and is also a very crucial period for Early Intervention). Cognitive development slows down as the child gets older and it becomes more challenging for a child to acquire new skills and knowledge. Especially when they are behind! To all the parents out there, if you choose to not have Early Intervention services provided for your child due to the fear of labeling, think about the challenges your child will encounter as they grow older. Imagine what life will be like for your child when they are behind in skills, cognitive development, and language. It will be a much more difficult road ahead for your child and your family.
Early Intervention will provide services and resources to help you with issues related to the disability. Early Intervention will provide the education your child needs to help with their disability and help them be more successful in school. With the fantastic help of our early intervention team, my son has certainly come along way. He has gone from saying 2 words to speaking in descriptive and complete sentences! My worries of him not speaking are long gone. Research has proven that early intervention can help reduce the symptoms of the disability. There is even a possibility that the symptoms may completely go away depending on the severity. Early Intervention will help your child become caught up on their fine and gross motor skills, cognitive development, and language. Your child will be ready to start kindergarten and will have a better chance of succeeding in school. With general education being inclusive, children today are a lot more accepting of others than children who went to school over 30 years ago. Set the labels aside and do what’s best for your child, It’s your child’s future. Early intervention is a great approach to help your child with their disability or disorder, and gives your child the opportunity they deserve to succeed in school.”
Another parent has this to say about the importance of Early Intervention and Education. Sarah Metcalf writes about her son Brandon. Brandon came to us at about 3 weeks old. As he outgrew the newborn stage and started to become more of an infant it was apparent that he was not typically developing. He was significantly delayed all across the board in every area of development. Brandon was referred to the early intervention program and was evaluated. He qualified for Early Intervention services, then PT services and then OT services all in his first year of life. Later he also qualified for speech therapy. We worked with him with no other expectation than that of one that he will be everything he can be. As time went on he caught up and then even began to even out as average.
Last fall when he turned 3 he was still eligible for speech therapy and was able to enter the EEE preschool at the elementary school to receive his services. The teachers there were meeting Brandon for the first time and thought he was a delightful 3 year old. He has since tested out of services with skills far exceeding his age!
So I tell you... if you were NOT a believer in what early intervention can do for a child I am here to tell you that I have living proof in a 3 year old that if you believe in your child that child can far exceed your expectations!”
The Center for Disease Control offers these guidelines for typical developmental milestones. http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html Please note that you do not need a referral from a physician to request an evaluation.
Early Intervention and Education is effective and is essential for children with developmental delays. If you have any questions about your child's development and would like to speak to the Milton Early Education Staff please call us at 893-3215 ext 1425 or email Jennifer Knowles at jknowles@mtsd-vt.org or Shelley Henson at shenson@mtsd-vt.org

Thursday, January 3, 2013


Saturday Morning Fun for Families!

Open gym time for Milton families with preschoolers!
January 12
January 26
February 9
10:00-11:30 am.

Please join us in the K-4 gym. Enter the school through the doors near the PK-4 office and follow the signs. Please bring dry sneakers to change into keeping our floors in good condition.

All children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian and be under 5 years of age. Activities are geared for children 3-5 years old. Staff from the early education program and school will be on hand to guide families in the gym play.



Milton Early Education Program
Milton Elementary School
42 Herrick Avenue