FREE Preschool Screening at Mokena Elementary School

Are you concerned about your child’s development? Are you lacking access to affordable, high-quality education?

Thanks to a generous grant funded by the state of Illinois, Mokena School District 159 is able to offer free preschool to eligible at-risk children who will be three or four on or before September 1, 2018. To be eligible for this service, children must attend a free screening offered multiple times throughout the year. Members of our Early Childhood Staff preschool team conduct screenings of children who then may be eligible for the program based on a number of qualifiers such as low family income, multiple or premature birth, English language skills, or an additional home or community factor which may contribute to a child being at-risk for learning. If the child has been found “at risk” as a result of the screening and if space is available, students may be admitted into the Early Start program. The screening services are provided at no cost to parents.

During the screening, the team will assess the development of a young child in the following areas: large and small muscle coordination skills, delays or problems in speech and language skills, cognitive skills, socio/economic growth, and preschool readiness. Parents/guardians are interviewed in the following areas: basic health/physical needs, socio-economic factors, safety needs, and social/emotional needs. After the screening, members of the Early Start team will share with parents/guardians the information acquired from the screening about their child's development. Results of these screenings are used to identify students who might be at risk of developing difficulties with school and to identify students for further evaluation if a disability is suspected. Staff will determine the necessity, if any, for further individual evaluation that would assist in the identification of the need for special education services or if the student qualifies for the Early Start program.

The preschool program curriculum is evidence-based best practices for early learning and aligned with the Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards. This program encourages children to make choices and interact in various learning centers throughout the classroom, as well as greatly encouraging, and supporting parent participation. A social-emotional curriculum is also used within the program. Students are assessed throughout the school year to ensure they are making progress academically, socially and developmentally. Two daily sessions are offered: a morning session and an afternoon session.

The next Developmental Screening will be held on Monday, October 15 at Mokena Elementary School. Please contact the school at 708-342-4850 for an appointment.

Free preschool screenings will also be held on Monday, October 29 and Monday, November 13.