QULIN — The first class of Twin Rivers new Early Childhood Special Education program were full of excitement Friday morning as they entered their classrooms to receive a “jump start” in their education.
“We knew we needed something to align with the needs of kindergarten through fourth grade students,” Qulin Principal Seth McBroom said. “This program gives our students a jump start and preparation for kindergarten.”
ECSE is specifically designed instruction to meet the unique needs of a preschool child with a disability, 3 years of age until eligible for kindergarten.
Students do not have to qualify for an IEP (Individualized Education Program) to attend the Twin Rivers ECSE program.
The program is designed to help children develop the skills needed to participate and succeed in school.
“The first day has been smooth,” McBroom said. “There were a few big, long hugs, but the kids did good and we are proud of the parents as well.”
ECSE classes of nearly 20 students are being held at the Qulin campus as well as Fisk.
The district has leased the former daycare building, 319 McKinley St., across the parking lot from Fisk Elementary to house students.
Fisk Principal Leean Mann said 18 students are enrolled at her campus and the students did wonderful during their first day.
“Everything went flawlessly,” she said.
A 750-square-foot classroom in the Qulin Elementary building near the kindergarten classes, nurse’s office and cafeteria was remodeled for students.
Each class has a full-time teacher and teacher’s aide to assist students.
“The teachers have a curriculum and guidelines to follow,” McBroom said. “They will focus on items to help students succeed in kindergarten.”
ECSE teachers have also been working closely with the kindergarten teachers in the district to ensure certain areas are focused on to prepare students for kindergarten.
In addition to curriculum, Mann said developing social and emotional skills with peers is an important aspect students will be able to learn.
Academics can be taught, but if students have the other skills, the academics come easier, she added.
“There was a need for this program,” Mann said. “It’s always better when you are able to get younger children involved with school.”
Qulin ECSE teacher Amanda Stratton said her 14 students also did very well during their first.
“I’m impressed,” she said. “They have done well.”
A highlight for Stratton’s students was being able to eat breakfast in the cafeteria like all the older children to begin their day.
“They loved sitting at the big tables,” she said.
After breakfast, Hudson Clark joined his classmates on a rug back in the classroom to sing, while also learning about sitting quietly.
Clark and his friends then made their way to the blocks to build skyscrapers.
Ollivia Windhorst, 5, said she spent her morning playing and making new friends.
“The teacher is going to teach us about being nice and taking turns,” she said.
The proposal of an ECSE program was brought before the Twin Rivers school board by McBroom during a meeting last June.
A committee began brainstorming last spring to start the process with a goal to begin classes in January. Meetings were held over the summer to establish the program.
McBroom added other area schools were contacted for advice and work began to coordinate with the Head Start program in Broseley.
“There were a lot of people who had their hand in the process,” he said.
Head Start and ECSE will be working hand-in-hand by sharing some students to provide services for all.
While there is a wait list for the program, McBroom encourages parents to fill out an application now and have it on file for when openings become available.
Mann said going forward with ECSE, a future goal would be to add a second classroom to meet the needs of the community.
While McBroom admits there will be a learning curve with the start of a new program, he promises adjustments will be made to ensure student success.
“This is a real exciting time for us and we have needed this program for awhile,” he said. “We are providing services, but also giving the students in our district a head start.”