DUSD Preschool Mission, Vision and Goals

2019/2020

Mission: The DUSD Preschool Department’s mission is L-I-F-E: Language, Independence, Friendships, and Education. The purpose of this mission is to teach our students some basic skills that are important to LIFE. Language skills, verbal and non-verbal, are important for our daily communication with others. Independence teaches self-reliance and builds confidence and pride. Learning about Friendships and how to get along socially in our world is a valuable skill for children and adults alike. And having an Education about the world around us helps us increase our intellect and keeps our brains sharp and developed!

Vision: All DUSD Preschool students are ready to succeed in school and life.

Goals: (Goals for all preschool programs are based on their Quality First evaluations and progress toward 5 Star ratings.)

Faras: Goal: Curriculum and Child Assessment: Teachers and staff will work on anecdotal note taking to better assess the children’s curricular development and maintain an ongoing process of observation throughout the year to guide the curriculum as measured by journal entries, observations, and Quality First Coach feedback.

Clawson: Goal: Children will have access to a variety of developmentally appropriate materials (throughout the year) to enhance their development and extend their connections between literacy and play activities as measured by journal entries, observations, and Quality First Coach feedback.

Sarah Marley: Goal: Teachers and staff will work on anecdotal note taking to better assess the children’s curricular development and maintain an ongoing process of observation throughout the year to guide the curriculum all with an eye toward the Reggio Emilia Approach as measured by journal entries, observations, and Quality First Coach feedback.

Joe Carlson: Goal: Teachers and staff will work on anecdotal note taking to better assess the children’s curricular development and maintain an ongoing process of observation throughout the year to guide the curriculum as measured by journal entries, observations, and Quality First Coach feedback.

Early Childhood and DUSD

Douglas Unified School District #27 offers many services for children aged 3-5 years-old who may be experiencing difficulties in the area of language, social/emotional, motor/perceptual, and cognitive development.

Preschool and Developmental Preschool

Douglas Unified School District’s Preschool Department provides inclusive preschool classrooms for children aged three to five-years-old (eligible students must not turn five before September 1st). Each classroom provides supports and services for both typically developing children, as well as, those children who have been identified as having special needs. Each classroom is staffed with a certified Early Childhood Education Teacher and an Instructional Aide. Each preschool site is staffed with a certified Special Education Teacher and Special Education Instructional Aides are determined on a case-by-case, student need basis. There are six preschool rooms in DUSD’s Preschool Program. Three rooms run full-day sessions for four-year-olds and qualifying five-year-olds. Two rooms run half-day sessions for four-year-olds and qualifying five-year-olds, and two rooms run half-day sessions for three-year-olds. Sessions are on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday with full-days running from 8:00am-2:00pm, and half-days running from 8:00am-10:30am for the morning session and 11:45am-2:15pm for the afternoon session. There will be no classes on Thursdays for general education students. However, student’s receiving services through the special needs department may attend school on Thursdays from 8:00am-10:00am at the Faras Elementary site only. This extra time is as prescribed by each student’s IEP and provides these students with additional instruction and service support from our district related service providers and preschool specialists.

The DUSD Preschool staff strive to provide each child with a unique educational experience, by individualizing the instruction for various learning styles and providing developmentally appropriate activities. Therapy services for those children who are eligible include, speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and vision/hearing services for those students who require this service.

Every Preschool classroom focuses on the following areas:

• Pre-academic skills

• Positive social interactions

• Opportunities to develop fine and gross motor skills

• Problem solving strategies

• Critical thinking skills

• Decision making skills

• Exposure to learning communities within the classroom

• Increased language skills

• Fostering of curiosity and love of learning

Child Find Screening Dates

• AZEIP- Children ages birth to 3 years of age

• Division of Developmental Disabilities- ages 3 years and up