Newton Preschool Program

Who:  All Newton Public School District Pre-K students receive Tier 1 learning support.

What: Tier 1 for Pre-K involves the implementation of instruction in the essential skill areas, which include math, science, and literacy skills.

Where: The Pre-K staff delivers Tier 1 level instruction through up-to-date childhood educational strategies delivered by the Master Teacher and classroom teachers.

Who: All Newton Public School District Pre-K students receive Tier 1 social-emotional support. Students with IEPs may be educated in the general education classroom receiving the same Tier 1 behavioral support as general education students with the supports and services in their IEPs if the IEP team determines that is the appropriate placement.

What: In Pre-K, whole-class Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) competencies are embedded in classroom lessons and school expectations through the Pyramid Model.

Where:  Pre-K students receive Tier 1 social-emotional care and support from the Master Teacher, classroom teachers, teacher's assistants, and through school-based counseling.

Who: Pre-K students who are not making adequate progress within Tier 1 are provided with targeted intervention and support (Tier 2)

What: Tier 2 interventions and supports are supplemental, small-group instruction provided in addition to core learning supports (Tier 1).

Where: Small-group intervention may be provided in the general education classroom or during intervention periods.

How: The Preschool Intervention & Referral Team (PIRT) Specialist will determine if the student qualifies for Tier 2 interventions after notifying parents/guardians of the intent to request support services. If so, they create an individualized action plan. Individual needs and the building schedule determine the frequency and duration of the interventions.

Who: Pre-K students who need more targeted support to meet their social-emotional needs. 

What: The Pre-K staff provides Tier 2 reinforcement in addition to Tier 1 support. Tier 2 social-emotional support for Pre-K students involves remedial responses to Code of Conduct issues. Outside agencies that provide Tier 2 support for Pre-K students include:

Ginnie's House Children's Advocacy Center

Perform Care of NJ

Project Self Sufficiency (PSS)

Where: Social skills and group sessions are provided outside the general education classroom.

How: The Preschool Intervention & Referral Team (PIRT) Specialist will determine if the student qualifies for Tier 2 interventions after notifying parents/guardians of the intent to request support services. If so, they create an individualized action plan. Individual needs determine the frequency and duration of the interventions.

Who: Pre-K students who have not made adequate progress within Tier 2 and/or who demonstrate the need for intensive individualized intervention 

What: Within Tier 3, students receive intensive and individualized intervention and support. The Pre-K staff provides Tier 3 intervention and support in addition to Tier 1 and Tier 2.

Where: One-on-one intervention is provided by the Speech Language Specialist based on results from articulation screening.

How: In consultation with staff members, the Preschool Intervention & Referral Team (PIRT) Specialist will determine if the student qualifies for Tier 3 learning interventions. If so, they create an individualized action plan. Individual needs and the building schedule determine the frequency and duration of the interventions.

• If determined that the child has not made adequate progress after a certain amount of time, a referral may be made to the I&RS team.

Who: Pre-K students who have not made adequate progress within Tier 2 support or whose behavioral/social-emotional needs created barriers to learning and/or within social settings 

What: Within Tier 3, Pre-K students receive counseling sessions with the school nurse and/or social worker. The Pre-K staff provides Tier 3 support in addition to Tier 1 and Tier 2 reinforcement. Outside agencies that provide Tier 3 support for Pre-K students include:

• Atlantic Behavioral Health Crisis Intervention

• Family Intervention Services

• Department of Child Protection & Permanency (DCP&P)

• Ginnie's House Children's Advocacy Center

• Lakeside Counseling Associates

• Perform Care of NJ

• Project Self Sufficiency (PSS)

Where: Social skills and counseling sessions are provided outside the general education classroom.

How: In consultation with staff members, the Preschool Intervention & Referral Team (PIRT) Specialist will determine if the student qualifies for Tier 3 social-emotional interventions. If so, they create an individualized action plan. Individual needs and the building schedule determine the frequency and duration of the interventions.

• If determined that the child has not made adequate progress after a certain amount of time, a referral may be made to the I&RS team.