District, CCIU partner to open preschools

PHOENIXVILLE>> For preschoolers, learning to walk and talk isn’t always as easy as 1-2-3, especially for those with developmental delays. That’s why a new community partnership promises to help such children master certain skills that others their age may take for granted, while still keeping the two groups of students together.

To provide all preschoolers with both the academic and social skills they need to be successful in school, the Phoenixville Area School District is partnering with the Chester County Intermediate Unit to open two inclusive preschool programs in the dis--

trict: one in the Kindergarten Center and one in Phoenixville Area High School.

To commemorate the opening of the inclusive preschool programs, the school district and CCIU will hold a grand opening celebration on Thursday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Kindergarten Center, 100 School Lane. Parents, school administrators and invited guests will get a first-hand look at the new program that officially opened on Jan. 19.

“It’s an outstanding partnership being formed,” Fegley said. “It’s typical and special needs students together in the same classroom forming friendships and learning from each other and the beginning stages of an education program. It’s the essence of what inclusive education is all about and being in the least restrictive environment possible for all students.”

“I’m really excited about the program,” said Jacalyn Auris, CCIU director of student services. “This is the first program in our area that has actually combined district support with (CCIU) support (providing) a true inclusive experience for preschool students.”

In order to support successful inclusion, an additional teacher will join the classrooms. Both new and existing staff have participated in training on coteaching techniques to ensure that all students benefit from their experiences with their peers, she said.

“Research has found that all children benefit from inclusion in many ways,” said Joseph O’Brien, executive director of the Chester County Intermediate Unit said in a press release. “Inclusive classrooms engage children in daily routines and activities that elicit and challenge academic performance. Inclusive learning opportunities also lead children to achieve more, gain confidence, increase independent skills and develop a stronger sense of self.”

The new programs are a continuation of a partnership several years in the making. By the school district and the intermediate unit expressed a desire to have both special needs and typical students in the same classrooms in order to interact with one another.

About four years ago, the first classroom opened meeting that criteria and since that time the program has expanded. The district has provided the space and the staff available and the CCIU obtained a $91,000 state grant fromthe Office of Child Development and Early Learning (a collaborative effort between the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services).

“The grant is icing on the cake,” Auris said. “It allowed us to recruit families in need of high quality preschool services and serve families too. They may need help servicing medical agencies or servicing other community agencies and we can provide assistance for that.”

The goal being to educate all students in the local community “and not have them go elsewhere, unless absolutely necessary, to meet their needs,” Fegley said.