Click the link below to go to the CDC’s Developmental Milestones resource page. Review expected skills at the link below to inform you of typical childhood development.
If you have concerns with any part of your child’s development, talk with your child’s physician.
Referrals to our program come from different sources. Children may transition from First Steps services and/or parents may contact this program to refer their child. To do so, contact our Early Childhood Coordinator or Michelle Gossett whose information is below. The coordinator will discuss the concerns you have for your child. A speech and/or language evaluation may be scheduled with a speech and language pathologist. An educational evaluation may be considered.
Cathy German
Early Childhood Coordinator
260-431-2180
cgerman@sacs.k12.in.us
Michelle Gossett
Administative Assistant, Special Education
260-431-2040
mgossett@sacs.k12.in.us
This program is designed to integrate typically developing peers with children who have identified educational needs. All children engage in a variety of activities and functional routines to help them build self-regulation, social-emotional, and academic skills that prepare them for their transition to kindergarten. Screening for limited spaces takes place in April prior to the coming school year.
Our program offers 4 mornings or 4 afternoons per week. Eligible children are those who are 3 years of age or older by August of the upcoming school year. Children can attend until they go to kindergarten. Preschoolers enrolled in the peer program will be taught by our certified teachers and their assistants using a preschool curriculum that is aligned to the Indiana Early Learning Foundations. There is no cost for participation as a typical peer.
The overall goals of this program are to:
- Provide a diverse classroom environment in which students of all abilities learn together
- Provide the opportunity for children with differing abilities to interact, learn to play cooperatively, participate in functional routines, and build pre-academic skills through exposure to developmentally appropriate activities
- Allow children to develop individual learning styles and to learn at their own rate
- Provide developmentally appropriate models to children with developmental delays
- Provide the opportunity to develop compassion and understanding of the diversity within the community
If you are interested in having your child participate in the typical peer program, please contact the early childhood coordinator.
Cathy German, Early Childhood Coordinator
260-431-2180
cgerman@sacs.k12.in.us
The SACS special education developmental preschool program is located at Aboite Elementary School. This program offers educational services for three to five-year-old children with developmental delays and/or disabilities. In addition to that, a limited number of role model peers is welcomed into the classes each year. Screening for typical peers takes place in April prior to the coming school year.
How are children referred?
Referrals to our program come from different sources. Children may transition from First Steps services and/or parents may contact this program to refer their child.
How is eligibility determined?
A multidisciplinary team of educators and therapists evaluate children based on their individual needs. A case conference committee meets to determine the child’s educational needs. This committee is made up of parents, a school representative, and educational specialists in the area of need.
What services will be provided?
If he/she is found eligible, an IEP (Individualized Education Program) is developed by the case conference committee. Services are provided based on each child’s educational needs. Transportation may be provided.
If my child receives services through First Steps, will he/she automatically be eligible for services through the district’s preschool program?
In Indiana, criteria for eligibility for early childhood special education is different from First Steps. Therefore, some children who receive services through First Steps may not be eligible for services through schools. All children who are referred through the First Steps program will be evaluated with parent permission.
How much will these services cost?
Special education services, which are recommended and deemed educationally appropriate for a child by the case conference committee, are provided by the local school district at no cost to the family.
How often will my child’s progress be monitored by teachers and therapists?
Progress is measured frequently in the classroom and therapy setting. Written progress reports are provided to parents every nine weeks, on the report card schedule.
Additional settings for Safari Browser.
