Preschool Supports for Students- 

Preschool Intervention and Referral Specialist-  The PIRS provides support to teachers in their implementation of the Pyramid Model for Promoting Social and Emotional Competence in Young Children. The primary role of PIRS is to provide coaching for the teachers to enhance their use of the Pyramid Model practices in the classroom. As needed, the PIRS consults with a team of experts, the Preschool Intervention and Referral Team (PIRT), to provide strategies and possible interventions for the teachers to implement in the classroom to promote the success of all young children. The PIRT is supervised by the school principal, supervisor, and may also include preschool teachers, special education teachers, behavior specialists, psychologists, learning disabilities teacher-consultants, school social workers, speech and language pathologists or other specialists.  The PIRS for the 2023-2024 school year is Ms. Jennifer Edwards-Sapio.  You can contact her at 856-931-7807, ext 6053 or email her at jsapio@mtephraimschools.com. 

Transition to Kindergarten- Transition is the process of preparing preschool students who will be 5 by October 1st to be ready to enter kindergarten.  Preschool and Kindergarten teachers meet regularly to discuss the curriculum and how best to meet student need from one year to the next.  This year, Preschool students and parents will able to visit Kindergarten classrooms between May and June to help ease the stress of change, while experiencing at-a-glance 30 – 45 minutes some of what they can expect in kindergarten.  Families are encouraged to attend workshops such as Getting Ready for Kindergarten to become familiar with the transition process and have their questions answered by a kindergarten teacher.

Multi-Language Learners- Multi-Language Learning (ML) support is for children and families who are learning to speak more than one language at a time. 

How are the children identified and supported? 

• • A Home Language Survey is used to help identify children who may need DLL support.

  • Strategies, activities, and small group lessons are enhanced for comprehension and language acquisition using picture supports, props, acting out, gestures, and finger plays. 

  • Our Early Childhood classrooms are equipped with literacy materials that reflect the languages spoken by the children.

  • Parents are encouraged to continue to speak with their child in their home language.

Special Services- The Mount Ephraim Preschool Program promotes the success of all students including children who have been identified as having special needs.

• Teachers, parents/family members, and service providers collaborate to ensure that students receive the necessary supports and provide maximum opportunities for educational and developmental success!

• Intervention plans and activities are created by embedding goals and objectives into daily classroom learning to educate students in a way that addresses their individual differences and needs.

• It is our goal to provide an inclusive environment allowing for all children to learn together.

Child Study Team- Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), any child who experiences or has a physical, emotional, cognitive, and/or learning disability may be referred to the Child Study Team by a parent, teacher, or doctor. However, a parent or guardian must give written permission for a child to be evaluated.

The Child Study Team:

• Is responsible for the identification, evaluation, and determination of eligibility for a child to receive special education services, which includes an Individualized Education Program (IEP).

• The team consists of a Psychologist, Social Worker, and Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant (LDTC), Speech Language Pathologist, General Education Teacher, Special Education Teacher, and Parent. 

• For services, please contact the Courtney Cairns, School Psychologist at 856-931-7807, ext. 6051.

Child Find- Parents or guardians can call and request an evaluation for preschool special education and related services if concerned about their child developing or learning differently.

Contact Information:

• New Jersey Early Intervention System: 1-888-653-4463 (birth through age 2)

• Mount Ephraim Public Schools Child Study Team: 856-931-7807, ext. 6051