Preschool Instruction

PROGRAM DETAILS

The Germantown Municipal Schools Early Childhood Preschool program is an excellent learning environment that offers preschoolers, with and without disabilities, challenging instructional experiences to provide maximum growth in all developmental areas.

PRESCHOOL SITES

Dogwood Elementary School	Farmington Elementary School	Riverdale Elementary School	Forest Hill Elementary School
8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. Instructor: Katherine Brown Website	8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Instructors: Jenna Black & Lauri Carter Website	8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Instructor: Melanie Moss Website	8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. Instructors: Kate Greer & Shavitra Davis

ABOUT OUR PROGRAM

About the Program

Germantown Municipal School District has six early childhood preschool programs located in the four elementary schools that serve students identified with disabilities, ages 3-5.

Each of our preschool programs offer intentional learning activities in small and large groups that is facilitated by both general education and special education teachers, as well as educational assistants. Our goal is to provide our students with a strong foundation of core skills to be successful in kindergarten and beyond.

Farmington, Dogwood, Riverdale, and Forest Hill currently have seven to ten peer models selected to serve as role models for students with disabilities. These spots are first set aside as a perk for GMSD employees.

The following procedure details the current practice when selecting students for GMSD preschool classrooms. For the 2021-2022 school year, the district will be accepting applications and screening children utilizing the following procedure. Children three to four years old are eligible for application if their parent is a GMSD employee. All other interested Germantown residents are encouraged to apply for their four -year old children only. Spots will be filled in the following order: employee’s children and then the community four-year old children. If all of the spots are not filled in the first screening, an additional screening will be held in late March for three year old children from the community. Please see the peer model tab to apply.

**Number of classrooms, classroom design and peers needed are fluid based on district need.

Read more about our Curriculum Page here. Or, visit our Helpful Links Page.

POSITIVE PEER ROLE MODEL PROGRAM

The Peer Model Program provides an opportunity for typically developing children to be integrated into our Early Childhood classrooms to serve as role models for our children with disabilities.

Peer models provide positive peer interactions, demonstrate play skills, and model appropriate language and behavior for children with disabilities while in the classroom setting.

Procedures for applying for the peer model program

The following procedure details the current practice when selecting students for GMSD preschool classrooms. For the 2021-2022 school year, the district will be accepting applications and screening children utilizing the following procedure. Children three to four years old are eligible for application if their parent is a GMSD employee. All other interested Germantown residents are encouraged to apply for their four-year-old children only. Spots will be filled in the following order: employee’s children and then the community four-year-old children. If all of the spots are not filled in the first screening, an additional screening will be held in March for three-year-old children from the community. Screenings will be held one day at Forest Hill Elementary. Please see the screening information in the application. For additional questions or information, please email rhodes@gmsdk12.org.

*Number of classrooms, classroom design, and peers needed are fluid based on annual district and student need.

To apply to be a positive peer model, the following criteria must be met

Children must be a Germantown resident or a child of a GMSD employee
Children must be 4 years of age (or 3 if a child of an employee), but not yet 5 by August 15, 2021. Children who are 5 by August 15, 2021 are eligible for kindergarten and are not appropriate for the early childhood preschool class.
Children must speak clearly and be easily understood in order to model appropriate speech and language. Positive peers model appropriate peer interactions, demonstrate play skills, and appropriate language and behavior for children with disabilities while in the classroom setting.

SCREENING PROCESS

The screening process includes one play-based session.

This session will take place in the Forest Hill Elementary Play-based Classroom. The staff will provide developmentally appropriate activities that will enable the child to show his/her abilities in the following areas: readiness, problem solving, language, communication, social skills, and motor. All peer models must display age appropriate skills on the rubric.

All of the rubrics will be totaled and the children who score the highest will be offered a spot. Therefore, some selected students may not be offered a spot at his/her zoned school.

**Number of classrooms, classroom design and peers needed are fluid based on district need

Screenings will be held:

Where: Forest Hill Elementary Play-based Room

When: March 3, 4, 8, or 9

What time: 9:30-11:30 or 12:30-2:30

Additional details will be shared with you about the date and time.

Guidelines for the Preschool Program:

-- Daily attendance is required as the children serve as models. Daily attendance is defined as 7 hours a day, 5 days a week.

-- Parents must have their children at the program on time and pick them up at the designated time. Before and after school care is not provided.

-- Tennessee Health Record Form is required for all children documenting their immunization history. A copy of a certified birth certificate and social security card is also required.

-- Peer models are selected based on the screening results. If the match does not prove to be what is in the best interest for the children with disabilities or the model, the child will be dismissed from the program.

Cost:

-- Parents are responsible for paying a fee of $550.00 per semester ($1100.00 per year).

-- Parents are responsible for providing lunch for the student.

-- Fees for special field trips or activities will be requested as they occur throughout the year.

Your completed application must be turned in to Felicia Coleman at the Central Office by February 15, 2021. Faxed and scanned applications will be accepted. The fax number is 901-757-6479 and must be sent to the attention of Felicia Coleman or by email to Felicia.coleman@gmsdk12.org.

Application consists of:

Demographic Information and Basic Development completed by parent

Preschool Checklist completed by parent

Preschool Checklist completed by teacher or childcare provider

Signature Page that indicates understanding of process completed by parent

Your application will be considered complete when the four to five page application is received no later than February 15, 2021.

Preschool Peer Application for 2021-2022

application