Evergreen Park School District 124 provides a Preschool For All Program funded through a grant by the Illinois State Board of Education. The program is offered to all 3-5-year-old children who reside in Evergreen Park, participate in the screening process, and meet the eligibility criteria.  The goal of the Preschool For All Program is to provide high-quality educational programs for children who have academic risk factors. The program aligns with the vision and mission of the district and emphasizes the relationship between early childhood education, parenting education and involvement, and future success in school.

Any family interested in the pre-kindergarten program is required to complete the online enrollment process prior to participating in the screening process.  The purpose of the screenings are to assist with identifying children ages 3-5 years who have academic risk factors and/or children who may need further evaluation for special education services.  Pre-Kindergarten screenings are conducted quarterly by district staff members using the Developmental Indicator for the Assessment of Learning (DIAL 4) screening tool. The screenings take about an hour and consist of a unique station approach.  Children rotate through stations and are evaluated by different examiners in the areas of speech/language development, hearing, vision, motor skills, concept development, social development, and oral language proficiency (as indicated on the Home Language Survey).  

The program is for children ages 3 through 5 who are not eligible for kindergarten (i.e. age 5 on or before September 1 of the school year in which the early childhood program is to be implemented) and who are determined to be eligible by multiple weighted at-risk factors.  At-risk children are those who, because of their home and community environment, are subject to such language, cultural, economic, and like disadvantages to be at risk of academic failure. Additional requirements include a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate, copy of current physical and immunization records, and income verification.

Within a week of the screening process, families will be notified if their child is determined eligible for our program or is in need of a further evaluation for special education services.  If your child is found eligible, he or she will either be placed immediately or put on an enrollment waiting list. The waiting list is based on weighted eligibility criteria and student needs. Spaces in the program are limited!  

The pre-kindergarten classroom is a general education classroom designed to provide children with a structured classroom experience that is rich in language and literacy. The design is a blended model which includes personnel collaborating to design and implement routines and activities for at-risk students and students identified with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).  The classroom includes multiage grouping, a teacher and paraprofessional, and a maximum of twenty students.  District 124 uses the Creative Curriculum which emphasizes the use of
play-based learning centers revolving around monthly themed units. The instruction is individualized, scaffolded, and aligned with the Illinois Learning Standards. The Creative Curriculum and instructional practices within the classroom cover the development in the following domains: Social/Emotional, Physical, Cognitive, and Language.

Northeast Elementary School
Northwest Elementary School

 

The morning session meets Monday through Friday from 8:15-11:00 a.m.
The afternoon session meets Monday through Friday from 12:15-2:50 p.m.

For more information on the screening process or program, please call the Student Support Services Department at (708) 423-0950 ext. 2140 or email Jean Hector.