Specialized Academic Instruction Pre-School: The What, Why, and How Amy Hull and Tom Jones Byron Union School District

Tom Jones Principal, Timber Point Elementary Amy Hull, Early Childhood Special Educator SAI Preschool Teacher, Timber Point Elementary

What Did We Do?

Our Journey for a Model SAI Program Then ● 7 preschool students in outside program placements (NPS, neighboring district) ● Single K-5 SAI classroom ● Part-time contract service providers (SLP, OT) Now Expanded and split K-5 into mild/moderate & moderate/severe SAI classrooms Relocated all SAI programs to a single school site Hired full-time service providers (SLP, OT) Created an occupational therapy treatment room Renovated ideal SAI Preschool classroom Brought all 7 preschool students to home district SAI program

Why Did We Do It?

It Fiscally Made Sense Spending Apx. $36,000 a year per preschool student in outside placements Additional costs: -Transportation (bus services or mileage) -Provider Services Cost of hiring an Early Childhood Special Education teacher evened out

It Was The Right Thing To Do! Foster early relationship building with our future SAI students and families Exposure to like-age typical peers through on-site general education preschool Engage with typical peers through mainstreaming and social opportunities on campus Easy transition from preschool to kindergarten at the same school site with the same service providers Create a culture of acceptance within our community

How Did We Do It?

When Designing For Excellence We Considered... Physical location of the classroom Renovation needs Furniture and materials for a successful program Existing school culture

Assembling The “Dream Team” Special Education Director Psychologist Behaviorist Speech and Language Pathologist Occupational Therapist Classroom Staff -Teacher -Paraprofessionals

Structuring our SAI Pre-school Program Three and a half hours a day, five days a week

Classroom Philosophy We use a variety of skills teaching methods through: -Evidence Based Practices -Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis -Developmentally or age-appropriate preschool activities Empower students to feel connected, capable, and positively contribute to our classroom and school community Expect and expand upon functional and social communication Support fine motor & gross motor skills and sensory regulation Explicitly teach social, emotional, and behavioral expectations Practice school readiness skills -- Learning how to learn!

Curriculum & Tools Handwriting Without Tears: Get Set for School Handwriting Without Tears: Word Time Vocabulary Houghton-Mifflin: Every Day in Pre-K Math Social Thinking: The Incredible Flexible You Boardmaker® Access to color copies, laminator, & stock in Velcro

Opportunities For Learning Art Class Music Class Library Group Occupational Therapy Buddy Classes General Education Mainstreaming Reverse Mainstreaming Social Skills Groups Field Trips

Personal Philosophy I believe in... Teaching to the whole child Team collaboration and consultation Primary learning occurs at home

Parent Education Events Hour and a half long events at night, once a month Offer on-campus childcare and translation services Donated raffle prizes Topics: -IEP: 101 -Community Supports and Resources -Naturally Integrating Skill Practice at Home -Behavior: 101 -Language Development & Functional Communication -Occupational Therapy Strategies at Home -Transition Information (PreK-K, 5-6, 8-9) Ultimately we are striving to teach our families the same strategies we are using to empower them to work with their children, improve the quality of their lives, and increase transparency with the district.

What are your next steps? How can you approach your barriers? Who will support you? Which ideas can you implement right now?

Tom Jones Amy Hull Timber Point Elementary School