HurstEulessBedford ISD

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Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD
Partnering to Empower Young Children Beginning
With The End In Mind April 8, 2008
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Charlotte Allie Community Partnership
Liaison Lydia Scozzari Director, Special Education
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Beginning With The End In Mind
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Our Vision
HEB ISD is the conceptualization of our desired
future for the children of this community. The
vision sets the direction and priorities of our
district, so that our childrens future will be
better than yesterday or today. To realize this
objective, we must be a premier school district
that produces the nations best.
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Beginning With The End In Mind

• One student drops out of school every 30 seconds.
• High school dropouts are far more likely to be
  incarcerated and have poorer health and shorter
  life spans.
• Source Association for Supervision and
  Curriculum Development

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Beginning With The End In Mind

• Increasing the graduation rate by 1 percent would
  reduce crimes by 100,000 per year and save
  society 1.4 billion in related costs.
• Source Association for Supervision and
  Curriculum Development

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What is school readiness?

• Children who come to school ready to learn are
  more likely to succeed in school and later become
  responsible, productive members of society.

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What is school readiness?

• Most important characteristics for children
  beginning elementary school are
• Showing enthusiasm and curiosity in approaching
  new activities
• Being physically healthy, rested, and
  well-nourished
• Having the ability to communicate needs, wants
  and thoughts verbally

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Arent most children ready for school?

• One third to one half of children are not ready
  for kindergarten.
• Almost a third of five-year-olds experience two
  to six problem areas at school entry.
• Concentration
• Concepts
• Communication
• Self-Esteem
• Curiosity
• Physical Health

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Whats involved in a school readiness project?

• Community collaboration for children
• Effective systems of programs and services for
  young children and their families
• Links between local people, organizations, and
  public schools
• Focused efforts on strategic areas and methods of
  intervention
• Community projects adapted to local culture,
  strengths, needs, and interests

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Beginning the Journey

• Preschool Least Restrictive Grant
• PLRE Grant Facilitator
• Red Apple School Partnership

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Expanding the Horizon

• Northeast Tarrant County Task Force
• Community Partnership Liaison
• Data Base Gathering

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Adding to the Itinerary

• Made initial contacts with childcare centers
• Created informational survey
• Delivered surveys
• Compiled survey information
• Met with school district professionals to best
  meet the survey needs

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Getting on Board

• H-E-B ISD
• Parents
• Community Childcare Providers
• United Way, Northeast Tarrant County
• Early Childhood Taskforce
• H-E-B Chamber of Commerce
• Early Childhood Intervention
• Head Start
• JPS Clinic
• Tarrant County Health Department
• Tarrant County Community College
• Education Service Center, Region 11
• Camp Fire USA

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Mapping the Road Trip

• Increased public awareness
• Hosted Partnering to Empower Young Children
  Luncheon, October 2, 2007
• Implemented quarterly meetings January 15,
  April 28, August (tba)
• Parent University October 2007, March 2008

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Moving on Down the Road

• Implemented Red Apple School Partnership
• Provided joint professional development
  opportunities
• Provided training and access to district pre-k
  and k curriculum
• Provided information about JPS Health Care Center
• Providing professional consultation and services
  for community preschool centers and day care
  providers
• Provide training through Parent University
• Continuing to expand campus level placement
  options for children with disabilities

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Celebrating the Outcomes

• Providing special education services in the least
  restrictive environment of a community preschool
  for 3s and 4s
• Successful mastery of IEPs in an inclusive
  setting
• Appropriate peer models for play, language, and
  socialization
• Benefits for children with and without IEPs
• Additional learning opportunities for preschool
  staff
• Working together to build a sense of community
  for all children in a preschool setting
• Early intervention for children with and without
  IEPs

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Celebrating the Outcomes, cont

• Widening the Influence
• Positive networking between community and schools
• Enthusiastic stakeholders
• A sense of community
• Collaborative alignment between community and
  school district
• Increase awareness of available community
  services
• Information about preparing children for school
• Increase awareness of the needs of young children
  and their families

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Expanding our Travels

• Received United Way Kids Impact Council Grant for
  H-E-B ISD Community Partnership Preschool Support
  Project
• Collaborating with First United Methodist
  Preschool, Euless to join us in our journey for
  2008-2009

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Embarking on the Next Venture

• Community Based Preschool Partnership
• H-E-B ISD and First United Methodist Preschool,
  Euless
• The Partnership Plan
• Seek approval for Dr. Buinger and the Board.
• Complete contractual agreement with First United
  Methodist Preschool, Euless.
• Interview district staff for ½ day assignment to
  First United Methodist Preschool, Euless. (One
  PPCD teacher and one PPCD assistant.)
• Carefully select six current 3 and 4 year-old
  students served through PPCD as potential
  candidates for the partnership.
• Hold ARDC meetings to place these students.
• Work closely with the Transportation Department
  to provide services for these students.
  Preschool hours are 830 1130.
• Student Activity Fee and materials will be funded
  from IDEA-B federal funds.

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Thank you

• for being on board and supporting this incredible
  journey!