Rome Elementary Schools

The Pre-Kindergarten Program is designed to broaden the learning experiences of the preschool child. As we know, young children learn through play. The primary goal of the program is to respect the uniqueness of each child, to provide a flexible climate, to maintain and develop an enthusiasm for learning, and to encourage the relationship between home and school by actively involving the family. Parent meetings and volunteering in the classroom are important parts of this program.

The Pre-Kindergarten Program

A Pre-Kindergarten class is a place where children will learn to have fun, to develop an interest about themselves and the world around them and to become familiar with the routines of school. The Pre-K class gives children opportunities to socialize with other youngsters in a supervised situation where guidance can be given and where appropriate behaviors are emphasized.

Our Pre-Kindergarten program offers a developmental educational experience designed to enhance social, emotional, cognitive and physical development. Activities are planned that will increase the child's understanding of the world around him or her, as well as encourage speech and language development. Parent involvement and the parent's role as an educator is a primary emphasis of the developmental Pre-Kindergarten Program. Parents are provided with the opportunity to be involved in their child's education in the classroom, at home, and through various organized groups and activities. This quality program is based on the best of what we know about child development. It provides appropriate experiences which build on the child's natural love of learning. It recognizes that young children experience the world around them with all their senses. Play is the best tool for developing those skills which lead to successful school experiences. This give all children and their families a better chance to reach their full potential.

Committee on Pre-School Special Education/CPSE

Each Board of Education in the State of New York must appoint a Committee on Preschool Special Education in accordance with the provisions of Education Law. The district must locate and identify all children with disabilities who reside in the district. Children 2½ to 4½ years of age suspected of a disability are recommended for a preschool evaluation. The purpose of the Committee on Preschool Special Education is to:

· determine whether a child has a disability that impairs or affects his/her learning

· ascertain the particular needs of the child with disabilities

· recommend the appropriate educational program and/or services to meet those needs

Children suspected of a disability are recommended for a preschool evaluation. The evaluation report is used by the Committee on Preschool Education (CPSE). Parents of children presented for consideration to the Committee on Preschool Special Education are notified and invited to attend the meeting.

Preschool Developmental Evaluations

Preschoolers two and a half to four years of age are eligible for a multidisciplinary team assessment. The Rome City School District provides this service at no cost to families. The focus of the evaluation is to determine whether a youngster may be showing signs of a developmental delay sufficient enough to warrant special education intervention. Children are evaluated by a specially trained team that includes a speech/language therapist, school psychologist, occupational therapist, and a counselor. The format of the assessment has been specifically designed to be child and parent friendly.

Parents are encouraged to contact the CPSE office at 315-338-6507 if they suspect their child might be delayed in the areas of speech, language, intellectual, motor, adaptive behavior, and/or social/emotional skills. A referral process is then initiated that must provide parents with due process information related to evaluation requirements, the CPSE process, and child/family rights under New York State Education Law. The Rome City School District has a preschool evaluation team at Denti Elementary School.

Preschool/Forever Growing

Forever Growing is a Preschool Special Education Program. The Program has a continuum of services ranging from related service to special class.

The Forever Growing Program has 12:1:1 classrooms and a 12:1:4 classroom for students who require a more staff intensive program. On site services include speech, occupational and physical therapy, counseling, nursing and psychological services. A Special Education Itinerant Teacher (SEIT) is able to service students in their regular learning environment as well as in the home. Eligibility for services is recommended by an preschool evaluation conducted by a State Education approved evaluation team and determined by the School District's Committee on Preschool Special Education. The Rome City School District has an approved evaluation team who are able to provide the testing and recommendation that would go to a Committee on Preschool Special Education to determine a need.

Parents can contact the CPSE office at (315) 338-6507 if they suspect their child might be delayed in the areas of speech, language, intellectual, motor, adaptive behavior and/or emotional skills. Forever Growing's target population is 2 and a half to 4 year old students with a handicapping condition. The program is free of charge. Breakfast and lunch are provided. Busing is provided by the County.