PEEA is a New Jersey state-based funding program that eligible school districts in New Jersey can apply to in order for three and four year old children to receive a free high-quality preschool education. The South Orange Maplewood School District applied for PEEA in the summer of 2018. Based on enrollment, the state of New Jersey awarded the District $1.4 million for the 2018-2019 school year. For the 2019-2020 school year, SOMSD received $2.9 million.

The SOMSD Preschool Program, funded by the PEEA, is a free high-quality preschool education program for three- and four-year old students who are residents of South Orange or Maplewood.

Any South Orange or Maplewood family that is interested in having its age-eligible child attend the Preschool Program needs to register him/her with the South Orange Maplewood School District. Click here for registration. 

For the 2019-2020 School Year, the program currently includes: 

• Applecore Learning Early Childhood Center (240 Franklin Ave, Maplewood) -  3 classes
• Marshall Portable (262 Grove Rd, South Orange) – 1 class
• Montrose Early Childhood Center (356 Clark St, South Orange) – 9 classes

The first lottery, done on April 29, 2019, provided every registered 3 and 4 year old student a number. Due to availability, the first building to fill was Montrose, then Marshall portable, then Applecore. For all children that did not have a secure seat, they are on a waiting list based on their lottery number. When more classrooms become available, families will be notified. Creating more partnerships with private preschools continues to be a goal of the District.

At this time, there is no parental choice. 

There is no tuition for any age eligible child from South Orange or Maplewood.

Currently, only children with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are bused to and from preschool.

The school day is six hours long. Start and end times vary, depending on the building:

• Applecore: 8:45am-2:45pm
• Marshall Portable: 8:50am-2:50pm
• Montrose: 8:30am-2:30pm

No. We are required to offer a full six-hour day.

That depends on the location. 

• Applecore runs its own before and aftercare program. Before care runs 7:00-8:45am, aftercare runs 2:45-6pm. Contact Applecore for more information and pricing. Applecorelearningecc@nullgmail.com
  
  
• At Marshall portable, there is currently no before or aftercare provided. (We’re exploring options.)
  
  
• At Montrose, the YMCA runs the before and aftercare program on site. There are limited spots. Before care runs 7:15-8:30am, aftercare runs 2:30-6:30pm. Contact the Y directly to find out if there is space available. metroymcas.org/south-mountain-ymca/montrose-before-care-after-care/

That depends on the location. 

• Applecore runs its own before and aftercare program. Before care runs 7:00-8:45am, aftercare runs 2:45-6pm. Contact Applecore for more information and pricing. Applecorelearningecc@nullgmail.com
  
  
• At Marshall portable, there is currently no before or aftercare provided. (We’re exploring options.)
  
  
• At Montrose, the YMCA runs the before and aftercare program on site. There are limited spots. Before care runs 7:15-8:30am, aftercare runs 2:30-6:30pm. Contact the Y directly to find out if there is space available. metroymcas.org/south-mountain-ymca/montrose-before-care-after-care/

The first day of school is Thursday, September 5. This is an orientation day for families to join their children to visit the classroom. It is NOT a full day of school.

• Applecore: 9:00am – 9:30am
• Marshall: 9:45am – 10:30am
• Montrose: 8:45am – 9:30am

The first full day of school at all locations is Friday, September 6, 2019.

On the school district's website. 

All classes* have up to fifteen students.

*Except the self-contained special education classroom at Montrose has a maximum of twelve students.

No. All classes are multi-age. 

All teachers are New Jersey State Certified, with a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree. The District is committed to hiring dual certified* teachers for their preschool program.

*Dual certified is having certification in both early education and special education.

All teachers are New Jersey State Certified, with a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree. The District is committed to hiring dual certified* teachers for their preschool program.

*Dual certified is having certification in both early education and special education.

Paraprofessionals are classroom aides. There is one “classroom para” in every class to help support the teacher and students. Due to Montrose being a larger, more populated building, there are four “building paras” to go where they are needed. Depending on special education programming, there may be additional paraprofessionals assigned to students with special needs. This may be a “1:1 para” or a “shared para”. Students eligible for a paraprofessional via a Section 504 Plan may also receive this service.

Every class has its snack and lunch in the classroom. The students bring their own snacks; there is no communal snack. Lunch can be bought at school or brought from home. Information on ordering lunch will be available before the start of the school year. If you think your family qualifies for a free or reduced lunch, or as families’ financial circumstances change, the form can be completed at any point during the school year. 

Each school building will abide by its own allergy policy. If there are students with food-related allergies, the teacher will let families know before the start of the school year what is not allowed to be brought into the classroom. Currently, all preschools, Montrose, Marshall portable and Applecore, follow the BOE policy #5331

No. Toilet training is supported in the classroom so when your child is ready you can make arrangements with the teacher. If your child is not toilet trained, you will need to provide diapers, plus extra wipes, as needed.

Inclusion means that there are students with special programming in the class with their general education peers. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act states that all children who are eligible to receive special services to be provided a Free and Appropriate Education in the Least Restrictive Environment which includes the general education setting. There is a maximum of five students, in a fifteen student classroom, who have special programming.

First contact your child’s teacher and discuss your concerns. If appropriate, the teacher will request assistance from the Preschool Intervention and Referral Team (PIRT) to work on strategies to help your child.

Child Find is a legal requirement that schools find all children who have disabilities and who may be entitled to special education services. Child Find covers every child from birth through age 21. The child can be experiencing physical, sensory, emotional, communication, cognitive, or social difficulties. Any parent who has concerns about the development of their preschool child who will be 3 years old within the next year or a child between the ages of 3 and 5 years old should contact the Department of Special Services at 973-762-5600 ext. 1840.

We welcome and encourage families to be actively involved with our preschools, whether it be reading to your child’s class or volunteering for school-wide projects. Please contact the director or principal at your school to find out more.

Family Handbooks will be made available before the start of the new school year. In the meantime, if you have questions, please contact:

• Applecore, Ms. Stacy Brutus, Director 
• Montrose and Marshall portable, Mrs. Bonita Samuels, Principal
• Preschool Program, Dr. Laura Morana, Interim Assistant Superintendent of Special Services
• Preschool Program, Mr. Leroy Johnson, Supervisor of Preschool Education