Peer Program
What is the Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Program at Underwood Hills?
Our program serves students from a wide variety of cultural, economic, and linguistic backgrounds. They have a wide range of abilities, including children
with identified developmental delays and disabilities. Inclusion of students with differing abilities and from diverse backgrounds teaches all students about interdependence and acceptance of human differences. In our high quality early childhood program, where we educate children with disabilities alongside their same age peers. Our program focuses on the development of social, language, literacy, math, cognitive, and physical skills. We use a comprehensive, research-backed approach to early childhood education that emphasizes hands-on, project-based learning and play to foster children’s development in all areas. Our program follows the Westside school calendar and is Monday through Friday with multiple part day and full day classes. This program is free to all students who attend.
Qualifications to become a peer in the ECSE Program at Underwood Hills?
- Children who will be 3 or 4 years of age by July 31st of the current school year may apply.
- Children turning 5 prior to July 31st are considered kindergarten eligible and are not eligible for our program.
- Students must be district residents.
How does my child become a peer in the ECSE Program at Underwood Hills?
A completed application can be submitted to the Early Childhood Special Education office (9030 Western Avenue) at Underwood Hills Early Learning Center or by emailing the program coordinator at avilla.michelle@westside66.net.
What happens after I turn in my application paperwork?
After submitting the completed application, you will be contacted by a preschool staff member to invite you to an informational family/child meeting.
What does the informational family/child meeting involve?
The meeting will take place at Underwood Hills Early Learning Center. Families will participate in a session to learn more about the Early Childhood Special Education program and this exciting educational opportunity. Children will participate in fun learning activities in a preschool classroom with other potential peers. Staff will use observations and checklists during this time to get to know the peers for future classroom placements. This opportunity will take approximately one hour.
What happens after the meeting?
After the informational meeting, all children in consideration for the peer program will be entered into a lottery drawing based on the number of openings. Families will be notified no later than May whether their child has been chosen for the Peer Program.
What happens if my child is chosen to be a peer in the ECSE Program at Underwood Hills?
Families will complete all the district expectations for enrollment and students will be assigned to a full day or part day classroom. Families of peers are responsible for transporting their child to and from school.
If you have any questions about the Early Childhood Special Education Peer Program or application process, please contact Monique Wells at (402) 390-6472.