4K Community Approaches Showcases

4K Community Approaches: Showcases

Wisconsin Early Childhood Collaborating Partners provides recommended minigrant showcase information.

2009-2010 Districts Recommended for Minigrant Site Visits

Blair-Taylor School District

Connie Biedron, Principal
(608) 989-9835
biedrc@btsd.k12.wi.us

Cathie Slenczka, ECSE teacher
(608) 989-9860
slencc@btsd.k12.wi.us

Features: Fully inclusive 4K, Head Start, and ECSE services located in elementary building. Great example of an effective team teaching/team planning approach. Creative Curriculum implemented. Works closely with child care program housed in adjacent school building.

Eau Claire School District (Demonstration Grant Site)

Paula Wainscott, Program Coordinator
(715) 852-3079
pwainscott@ecasd.k12.wi.us

Chris Hambuch-Boyle, ECSE Itinerant Teacher/PST
(715) 852-3061
chambuchboyle@ecasd.k12.wi.us

Features:

Eau Claire's 4K community approaches that was highlighted by the national organization, Preknow, for their 2008 national video conference. The video about Eau Claire's community collaboration is posted as a stand-alone segment on YouTube.
Community 4K: 18 programs, 22 sites, all 4 models.
A continuum of placement options for ecse services, including combination 4K/Head Start/ECSE classrooms and Itinerant services.
Quality assurance w/ECERS through Resource & Referral
Partnerships with faith-based preschool,/childcare and corporate, non-profit and private childcare
Common curriculum & assessment process
Collaborative Family Services and Parent Involvement options/ Family Service Credential training
Common Professional Development & Training
Community Early Learning Initiative in addition to 4K

Edgerton School District (Demonstration Grant Site)

Lori Van Himbergen, Director of Pupil Services
(608) 884-9402 Ext. 256
lori.vanhimbergen@edgerton.k12.wi.us

Aundrea Kerkenbush, 4K Coordinator and Edgerton Community Elementary Principal
(608) 884-9402
Aundrea.Kerkenbush@edgerton.k1k2.wi.us

Learn about the impact of Edgerton's 4K community approaches by reading Dr. Norm Fjelstad, District Administrator of the Edgerton School District's; June 2006 letter to State Representative Task Force Chair Debi Towns and the Four Year Old Kindergarten Legislative Task Force. Edgerton School District letter (pdf)
4-year-old kindergarten located in school and community sites.
A continuum of placement options for Early Childhood: Special Education students, including itinerant services at 4K sites.
Ongoing staff development on itinerant consultation and coaching practices.
Entire Early Childhood through 2nd grade staff trained together in Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards.
Read, Play and Learn storybook-based curriculum that emphasizes extended, enriched study and collaborative team planning.

Elcho School District (Demonstration Grant Site)

Betsy Gruszynski, Child Care Director/Project Director
(715) 275-3225 x 239
bgruszynski@elcho.k12.wi.us

School owned & operated childcare in school building
Head Start and 4K in school building
B-3 or ecse services in all settings
Parent, Family & Provider Outreach

Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School District (Demonstration Grant Site)

Cindy Kohlmeier-Springborn, Special Education
(608) 337-4403
cspringb@now.k12.wi.us

Pat Spors, Early Childhood Special Education Teacher
(608) 337-4420
pspors@now.k12.wi.us

Small, rural community that has built community partnerships; preschool options; large Hispanic population with bilingual play groups.

Sun Prairie School District (Demonstration Grant Site)

Lydia Krueger, Early Childhood Special Education Teacher
(608) 834-6505
lekrueg@spasd.k12.wi.us

or Sally Drenoske, Early Childhood Special Education Teacher
(608) 834-6574
smdreno@spasd.k12.wi.us

Jamie Klund, O.T.
mjklund@spasd.k12.wi.us

Team-taught community preschool-ECSE class
Range of itinerant placements
Early Learning Resource Center
Playgroups with parent groups
Outreach to childcare

Watertown School District (Demonstration Grant Site)

Christine Enockson, Early Childhood Coordinator
(920) 262-1460
enocksonc@watertown.k12.wi.us

Community Based 4 year old preschool
Preschool scholarship/tuition program
Head Start ECSE Inclusion program
Co-located ECSE self-contained with Head Start child care, preschools, family resource center
Early Care and Education Outreach Workshops-monthly

Wausau School District (Demonstration Grant Site)

Julie Burmesch, Principal
(715) 261-0265
jburmesc@wausau.k12.wi.us

Watch this video clip from the School Finance Network to see how the Wausau school district is investing in early childhood learning with the confidence it will make a difference.
Community 4K
Itinerant ECSE services
Outreach/professional development to child care community
Parent to Parent Support Group for parents of students with special needs
EC/4K team teaching

Demonstration Projects or contact the IDEA Preschool Planning and Implementation Minigrant Project Managers:

Sue Donahoe, CESA #2, sdonahoe@cesa2.k12.wi.us ;( 608) 758-6232
Gaye Tylka, CESA #4, gtylka@cesa4.k12.wi.us; (608) 786-4844

IDEA Preschool Implementation Minigrants Project - Sponsored by the WI Department of Public Instruction IDEA State Preschool Initiatives

Four communities that completed three years of planning & implementation minigrants and demonstrated exemplary outcomes on behalf of young children with disabilities and their families received an additional year of funding for expansion and dissemination efforts as a Demonstration Project. For 2008-09, these include:

Eau Claire Area School District
Elcho School District
Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School District
School District of Edgerton
Sun Prairie Area School District
Watertown Unified School District
Wausau School District

Demonstration Projects are included in the CESA #2 listing of community resources/mentors for new and ongoing minigrant projects; and are available to speak to others about their programs and services by phone, email, or during a scheduled visit.

For further information regarding the Demonstration Projects, please contact; Gaye Tylka, CESA #4, (608) 786-4844 or gtylka@cesa4.k12.wi.us.