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Hi everyone. Think Spring! It must be right around the corner – right?

Kindergarten transition continues to be the theme to address. I read an article recently by Kristin Parsons from Get Set for School that focuses on a new curriculum that helps preschool children prepare for kindergarten. The article suggested activities that parents can do to encourage these skills in preschoolers. I’d like to share some of her suggestions.

Hello everyone. I hope you are all staying warm – the snowy, wintery days are certainly upon us.

It’s hard to believe that January is coming to an end! At this time of year I find myself wondering how snowy February and March will be. Have you had enough snow yet?

In SAD 72 we are considering kindergarten lists and class sizes to anticipate for next year. We have already posted information on our district’s website on Kindergarten Registration. It’s very important to register your son or daughter when registration is held so district’s can make the best plans for all students.

For many people, December is easily connected to the holidays and winter season. For teachers and administrators, our thoughts are on budget planning for the next school year. How scary is that? I have already had conversations with our Early Childhood Committee about Kindergarten Screening for the students who will be in entering kindergarten next September.

BOO! And Happy Halloween. I should be wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving, too, since that holiday is right around the corner. Holidays in general always bring back fond memories for me of the fun activities involving holiday themes shared with many students over the year and with my own daughters. I'd like to share two simple learning activities that can be adapted to different holiday and seasonal themes.

October Blog

During the past few weeks I have had a number of opportunities to spend some time with our students in the Extended Year Program.  This summer our students spend two full days a week at school, working on individual goals. The students work together to prepare and share a healthy morning snack. It is a great way to help children learn about preparing healthy food, following directions, working as a team and being a part of a “community.” The students all share the snack, which is a great time to learn manners, practice social skills, or engage in peer interaction.

I have been cleaning and packing my office after being the Director of Special Services in the Oxford Hills School District for 24 years.  In reviewing old files I have been finding transition materials I wrote 15-20 years ago and in the years since.

I have been cleaning and packing my office after being the Director of Special Services in the Oxford Hills School District for 24 years. In reviewing old files I have been finding transition materials I wrote 15-20 years ago and in the years since.

Summer is a great time to relax, unwind and explore. Teachers will be the first to tell you that children benefit from exposure and experiences that tap into their creative play and wonder of the world around them. Summer is a great time for children to be outside playing and exploring.

As May moves rapidly along, we are nearing completion of our fifty (or so) transition IEP meetings.  I have seen nervous parents, organized parents, excited parents, and combinations of those qualities.  As usual, our outcomes of these meetings have been good entry plans for the children coming to our kindergartens.  These, of course, are plans that are written before the children have another three months of growth.

Posted by Nancy Hall, Director of Special Services, MSAD #72

The warm weather we have had this past month has been a gift. April always seems like such a busy month to me. With the longer days I finally feel like I have the energy again to tackle the piles on my desk. The State has added some new reports for districts to complete, so any extra time I imagined has been claimed. Therefore, I will keep this month's blog short.

Posted by Marcye Gray, MSAD17, Director of Special Services, Oxford Hills School District

Last month I wrote about organizing your thoughts for your upcoming Transition IEP meeting.  By this month the meeting is probably scheduled.  As parents or providers you are now important partners with the school staff.  Children make the greatest progress when we are all on the same team, working together for that progress.

Nancy Hall, MSAD 72, Director of Special Services, 3/26/10

We are in the process of setting up our transition meetings with CDS Case Managers. At this time I have a list of all incoming kindergarteners with IEPs and I know the current services each student has. I expect to have a copy of the complete IEPs within a week. This information helps me plan for our district service providers to be at the transition IEP Meetings.

Marcye Gray, MSAD17, Director of Special Services, Oxford Hills School District, 3/24/10

It is late March; my daffodils are beginning to open and it is snowing.  Spring in Maine (albeit, earlier than we expect).  While all this is happening outside, I am scheduling preschool to kindergarten transition IEP meetings with the CDS staff.  Soon parents will receive a letter inviting them to participate in this very important planning meeting.

Posted by Marcye Gray, MSAD17, Director of Special Services, Oxford Hills School District

This is the time of year when we begin to encourage parents of incoming kindergarteners to visit a real kindergarten class.  BUT…. There are some cautions that come with this encouragement.