ISVI
Pre-K Program
School Office: 217-479-4437
Classroom Building: 217-479-4471 or 217-479-4473
FAX: 217-479-4479
TTY: 217-479-4415
WHY CHOOSE THE ISVI
PRE-KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM FOR YOUR
PRE-SCHOOLER?
ISVI provides quality education for children with visual impairments. Placement in the ISVI Pre-K program does not automatically mean placement in ISVI's other programs. Your child may not need vision services throughout their school years. Pre-school is the time to build a strong foundation for your child's future school success, so...
If your child has a visual impairment, OR, is at risk for a visual impairment, the ISVI Pre-K program provides...
-
A
jump start to successful kindergarten entrance,
with kindergarten placement determined by team decisions. The team is
made up of family members, teachers and vision specialists.
-
Placement in a class group of children with similar strengths and needs, as opposed to groups of diverse abilities and disabilities.
-
Small teacher to student ratio, to allow individualized learning experiences.
-
Developmentally
appropriate experiences that
make up all quality pre-school programming, including
structured free play, art, fine motor/writing centers,
sensory play, teacher led activities, snack time, story time,
calendar/circle time, music and adapted gross motor play.
-
Specific opportunities that address the needs of a visually impaired child; listening, sensory play, tactile experiences, vision therapy.
-
Specialized instruction in self-help, independence skills embedded in the daily routine.
-
An experienced resource team of experts in visual impairment: teachers, adaptive P.E. teacher, Speech Pathologist, Orientation & Mobility instructors, O.T., P.T. art teacher and music therapist to provide any needed adaptations for a visually impaired child.
-
Environmental adaptations: lighting control--three banks of lights that operate separately, blinds and controls on natural light coming in the windows, rugs--to provide tactile and visual contrasts for centers, toys--arranged in an un-cluttered manner on open shelving, fine motor manipulatives and other
materials--stored in bins marked on the outside with the object, as well
as labels in large print, room labels--in easily read, large print with
good contrast, as well as labels in Braille, children's belongings such as
chairs, cubbies and personal schedules; marked with large, easily-read
print and pictures, as well as Braille and tactile cues, seating
arrangements; individualized by each child's needs, with accommodations
for glare, figure-ground clutter, contrast, etc.
-
Teaching methods that build on each child's strengths; auditory, tactile and visual cues that teach to different learning styles.
Pre-K Program Admission Criteria
Children interested in participating in the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired Pre-K program must meet certain criteria for admission.
The child must have a current physical exam and a ophthalmologic report on file that states the child has a visual impairment or is at risk for developmental delays because of a visual impairment.
The parent/guardian
must provide copies of a birth certificate,
social security/Medicaid number, proof of insurance and proof of
immunization and lead screening.
The parent/guardian must complete and sign all forms in the admissions packet (medical, emergency contact, designated pick-up list, picture consent, and field trip.)
The parent/guardian must participate in a phone interview or home visit to complete a brief parent questionnaire regarding their child.
The Pre-K program at ISVI is geared for students with a chronological age of 3 to 5, but may be considered earlier or extended if set criteria are met.
1) If a child is under 3 years of age, he or she may be admitted if the child will turn 2 1/2 by October 30.
2) As long as the child is under 3 years of age, parents must provide transportation or the local school district must agree to provide transportation to and from the Pre-K program.
3) If a child is over 5 years of age, and the annual IEP states a need to continue in the Pre-K program placement, the child may continue to participate.
Placement will be based on meeting criteria admission and referral by direct parent request, Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), or Individualized Education Plan (IEP) recommendation.
Placement will be evaluated annually for continued program participation.
Admission to the Pre-K program does not constitute admission to the regular ISVI 5-21 program.
For
more information please call the Pre-K classroom building at 217-479-4471 or
217-479-4473. You may also call the school office at 217-479-4437.
Additionally you may e-mail your questions by following
this
link.
FAX: 217.479.4479
TTY: 217-479-4415