RCPS Preschool

Preschool in RCPS

Overview of Preschool

Full Day Program Monday-Friday Bus Transportation Provided

Maximum Class Size - 18 students

Highly-qualified Instructional Staff: -Teacher certified in early childhood education -Teacher's Assistant in every classroom

Support Services Staff: -Family Services Worker -Preschool Nurse

Goals

-To support young children’s eagerness to learn -To help young children develop positive attitudes toward school experiences -To support young children so they have opportunities to become successful with the school curriculum -To provide families with support so they can help their child develop skills necessary for school success -To help families link with available community resources

Invitation to Parents and Contact Information

-Visit in the classroom. -Help with classroom activities. -Come with your child on class field trips. -Check out school books to read at home with your child. -Come to parent-teacher conferences. -Learn about opportunities for adult education and job training. -Come to parent meetings and learn about child development, about helping children through family literacy, and about healthy foods.

For more information, please contact Assistant Superintendent of Innovation & Learning, Larry Shifflett at 540-564-3204.

Funding

The State Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI), and Rockingham County Public Schools provide funds to support preschool programs in public schools for at-risk four-year-old children.

Student Eligibility

Child must be 4 years old by September 30 to enter the preschool program.

Student selection factors include: family income, health or development concerns, limited education of parents, family stress factors, homelessness, and English Language Learners.

Priority is given to children who reside in the school attendance area.

More information regarding student eligibility is available at each elementary school.

Student progress is assessed using a variety of methods that include a math assessment, social/emotional progress checklist, and the statewide PreK PALS assessment which evaluates students’ literacy readiness skills.

See definition of school readiness adopted by the state Board of Education

Initial Screening

Pre-School Screenings Available

If you live in Rockingham County and suspect that your preschool-age child may have a disabling condition, or have concerns about your child’s development, you may request a screening. Developmental, speech/language, vision, and hearing screenings are available at no cost to parents.

Please refer to the information on this site for details on how to proceed: Screening Procedures

If you have questions about this process, please contact Scott Hand, Rockingham County Director, Pupil Personnel Services, at 540-564-3228 or email shand@rockingham.k12.va.us