Integrated preschool refers to a preschool setting for children aged 3-5 that have special education AND typically developing needs. Classrooms in Grafton typically hold 1 more typically developing student to the number of special education students serviced in the classroom. This provides an opportunity for special education students to learn from the modeling of typically developing peers as well as providing typically developing peers the opportunity to participate in an inclusive and accepting educational environment with curriculum geared to their skill level.
2022-2023 Preschool Schedule: The 4 day AM half day classroom is Monday-Thursday (9:00am-11:30am) and the 5 day PM half-day session is Monday-Friday (12:30pm-3:00pm). The 5 day full day session is Monday-Friday (9:00am-2:00pm). There will be one Friday per month that will be a no Preschool day for all preschool students, as well as alternate start and end of school dates for preschool students. Please be on the lookout for a preschool specific calendar!
Preschool classrooms hold 15 students. There is one designated Teacher as well as one designated Paraprofessional assigned to each classroom. Additional support staff members may be assigned to special education students requiring additional support as indicated on their Individualized Education Program.
Students will need a backpack large enough to hold a full size folder. Students will have snack daily in their classrooms. Therefore, please be sure to pack a peanut free snack and drink for your child. For students participating in full day programming, two snacks and a lunch are required. We do offer the opportunity for buying school lunch for full day students (more information will be provided about this option through the classroom teacher). It is recommended that you also pack a change of clothes for your child that can be left at school or kept in the child's backpack daily.
Transportation is not offered to children attending the preschool that are not identified as a special education students. Transportation for tuition in students is at the responsibility of the parent/guardian.
Please reach out to Melissa Johnson, Preschool Team Chairperson at 508-839-5483 or 508-839-5484 or johnsonme@grafton.k12.ma.us to explore your options regarding a potential special education evaluation for your child.
If your child will be late for school, please walk them to the main entrance and check them in at the front office. School staff will walk them to their preschool classroom.
If your child will be absent from school, please call the main office of the school and follow the prompts for reporting your child absent.
Given that students who are "Community Peers" attend the preschool program to be peer models for our integrated special education students, extended vacations longer than 6 weeks may result in withdrawal from the preschool program. Please contact Melissa Johnson at johnsonme@grafton.k12.ma.us if you are currently enrolled in the program and need to take an extended vacation.
If you need to withdraw your child from the program due to a move, etc, 30 days notice must be received in order to not incur the following months tuition payment.