Manchester Schools' Preschool Inclusion Program Has 10 Spots To Fill

To help children with disabilities be included in classrooms with nondisabilites, the Manchester Township School District will be operating a half-day integrated preschool program this fall.

There are 10 available spots for children who do not have disabilities, and those spots will be chosen by lottery, school officials said.

To qualify, children must be 4 years old on or before Oct. 1, 2015.

The lottery will be held May 29. Applications will be accepted until May 28 at the Board of Education offices at 121 Route 539, Whiting, between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. in the Special Services Department.

You must bring the following:

1. Two proofs of residency, one from each group: Group 1 is: Copy of township tax bill, deed, lease or builder’s contract (if living with a resident, a signed, notarized letter from that resident stating you and your child(ren) live at the address accompanied by one of the group 1 items.) Group 2 is: Copy of current utility bill or home insurance statement or driver’s license with correct address on it (or change of address sticker.)
2. Original birth certificate (with raised seal.)

The preschool inclusion class will include five to eight disabled children with the 10 non-disabled students selected in the lottery. The program will be held at Ridgeway Elementary School for 2½ hours daily (12:30-3 p.m.) beginning in September. The class will be staffed with one certified teacher, two aides, and one speech/language specialist. Children must be bathroom trained. Transportation will be provided.

For more information contact the Special Services Dept. at 732-849-2811.