Welcome to the Early Childhood School
Principal's Message
We at the Early Childhood Program would like to welcome the parents
and the preschool children to our program. The children will begin
a new journey that will help build strong foundations for future
success. Our dedicated and compassionate staff looks forward to
working with you to ascertain that all early childhood children
reach their fullest potential as critical thinkers, problem solvers,
and respectful citizens of the future. While providing an excellent
preschool education, we also provide a safe and nurturing
environment that is conducive to meeting the needs of our diverse
population.
West New York’s Early Childhood Program has been applauded for
establishing and meeting the many components that entail the
Elements of a High Quality Preschool Program. One of these
components is the researched based Tools of the Mind Program that is
used in both the three and four year old classes. The curriculum
objectives are to develop children’s underlying cognitive skills and
specific literacy skills. Additionally, it focuses on children’s
social-emotional school readiness. Children’s learning styles and
developmental levels are addressed through differentiation of
instruction to meet the individualized learning needs of each
student. Parents may access information about the Tools of the Mind
Curriculum at
www.mscd.edu/extendedcampus/toolsofthemind/.
Another component of our quality program is the staff. The staff
consists of supervisors, master teachers, nurses, highly qualified
teachers, certified paraprofessionals, a Community and Parent
Involvement Specialist, Preschool Intervention and Referral Team
members, a social worker, a speech therapist, a resource teacher, a
placement coordinator, administrative secretaries and custodians who
are dedicated to make this program one of the best.
The Early Childhood Program is assessed on a yearly basis through
the use of multiple instruments. The district also does a self
assessment using the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS),
Supports for Early Literacy Assessment (SELA), and Preschool
Classroom Mathematics Inventory (PCMI). The results are used to
address areas of professional development, materials, and to meet
the early childhood guidelines. This process has made the program
what it is today-a high functioning preschool program.
To ensure that all children reach their highest potential, we
encourage a strong home and school connection. The program offers
many parent meetings throughout the school year to discuss topics
that parents have identified through community surveys. During the
school year, you will receive a community survey which will help us
identify your needs as well as the community needs. The Early
Childhood Program offers parent trainers, social workers and family
workers to assist parents with any concerns, suggestions, or advice
that may be needed to ensure children are ready to learn. Every
month parents will receive invitations to parent meetings and other
programs that are offered, such as ESL classes, nutrition classes,
and many more. The program will also have parent conferences, an
Open House and Parents’ Night. Parents will receive the dates
through parent letters, the school website and/or through telephone
messages.
Additionally, our program is housed in multiple school buildings.
Our early childhood classrooms are located at the Early Childhood
School, the Early Childhood Center, School Number One, School Number
Two, School Number Three, School Number Four, and School Number
Six. The program offers fifteen private provider locations
throughout West New York (See attached list of provider locations
and contacts). Children are offered lunch and a snack daily. The
program offers wrap around child care services in the morning and
after school. This service is provided by Catapult Learning for our
in-district program. The same service is offered at our private
provider locations. Parents must apply in order for the children to
participate in this program. Catapult Learning and/or Private
Provider Directors can offer information based on eligibility
requirements that must be met in order to participate in the before
and after care program.
To ensure that the school is able to maintain children’s health and
safety, parents should notify the school if any changes take place
in either the child’s address or contact information throughout the
school year. Telephone numbers need to be correct and updated so
that the school can reach parents at all times. On a one session
day, it is important that plans are made to pick up the preschool
student by an adult that has been designated on the authorized
pickup form. We want all our students to feel happy and secure that
they will be leaving on time with a person they know and trust. Your
cooperation is very much appreciated.
I look forward to working with the parents and the staff, as well as
meeting the preschool children this year. I am sure this will be a
very rewarding and successful school year for all. Please feel free
to contact my office at (201) 553-4035 if you wish to speak to me.
Rita A. Mendez, Principal
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