Dear Preschool Parents/Guardians,

The new school year will bring about a new experience for all students and their families attending the District’s Preschool Program. The implementation of the Preschool Education Expansion Aid (PEEA), designed to offer high-quality early learning, is allowing the district to serve even more resident students for the 2019-2020 school year.

While we had an unprecedented interest in the program, a random selection of applicants led to the assignment of students to three sites thus far, Applecore Learning Early Childhood Center, Marshall Elementary portable classroom and Montrose Early Childhood Center. New students were selected based on a lottery system drawn in accordance with the District’s Registration Policy and Regulations. Our commitment to preschool education is fostering partnerships with local child care providers to secure additional classroom space for South Orange and Maplewood students to have access to a high-quality preschool experience.

As the program continues to grow, the research-based curriculum (Tools of the Mind) and developmentally appropriate assessment practices (Teaching Strategies GOLD) will be implemented with uniformity across all sites. An oversight team has been assembled to provide program leadership, professional development and support for the staff throughout the year.

An FAQ has been prepared by educators and parents as a tool to answer essential questions the community may have. Click here to view the online FAQ or click here to download a printable copy. Please review it and if you have any further questions, let me know.  I can be reached at (973) 762-5600, Extension 1841 or you may send an email to lmorana@nullsomsd.k12-.nj.us.

Additionally, we have reserved next Tuesday, July 30, 2019, 7:00-8:30pm at Columbia’s High School’s Auditorium, 17 Parker Ave, Maplewood, to address any further questions or concerns from our parents and families. I hope that you will join me then.

Sincerely,

Laura C. Morana

Interim Assistant Superintendent for Special Services