Natick Preschool

Greetings Preschool Parents and Guardians,

What is School Council?

The School Council, in serving as representatives of our larger school community, seeks to enrich and enhance opportunities for teaching and learning that result in improved learning outcomes for students. We strive to improve the supports available to teachers, students and their families as we work together to better meet the needs of all our learners.

Responsibilities of the School Council

As outlined in the Education Reform Act of 1993, the School Council is comprised of representatives from the parent body, the school staff, and the community at large. Elections are held to insure that all parents and staff have a full opportunity for representation. The council has specific responsibilities that include, but are not limited to, examining the following topics:

• Class size and impact on student achievement

• School budget

• School climate, safety and discipline

• Enhancement of parental involvement

• Professional development

• Title I

In addition, the council is charged with assisting the principal with the development of an annual School Improvement Plan that will identify areas of concern, establish explicit goals, state objectives, name persons charged with various responsibilities, and determine a timeline for measurable outcomes. In determining areas for improvement, the School Council takes guidance from the following sources:

• Common Core State Standards and Career Readiness Skills

• MA State Standards

• The school’s core values and analysis of student learning

• The Natick Public School’s Benchmarks for Learning

• Natick Public Schools District Mission and Goals

If you are interested in serving on the school council, please email me at mkinkead@natickps.org.

Warm regards,

MaryBeth

Support Social Emotional Learning and Independence at home using the same language and systems we use at school

• Why Chores Are Good for Kids!

• Handwashing at Home video

• Schedules, Visuals, Daily Living and Social Emotional Learning These can help!

• How To Use PBIS at Home complete with printable red birds (don’t have a printer? Have your child make some red birds or choose what household item you can use to represent them.)

Natick Preschool staff works with students to support their ability to build relationships with peers and adults knowing that is the foundation for learning to self-regulate (identify feelings, manage emotions and regulate the body) to effectively participate in learning.

The Communication for Education Grant Committee: Kate Meyer and Brooke Kapetanakos, Natick Preschool Staff, applied for and were granted a professional development course to build our capacity with AAC. Communication for Education's course addresses core competencies for educators and

related professionals who support non-speaking autistic individuals. The course provides a solid foundation of best practices for developing a partnership between communication partners and autistic individuals by fostering understanding of presumption of competence, apraxia, emotional and physical regulation strategies, and varied communication strategies. The Communication for Education Grant Committee at Natick Preschool will participate in the course to support our students as well as mentor other staff.

New IEP: Stay tuned! There is a new IEP format coming within the next school year.

Updates to our Art and Music programming:

We are thrilled that our preschoolers will have instruction by NPS art and music teachers this year. Ms. Abby Khandelwal and Ms. Meghan Olynciw will be joining Natick Preschoolers in their classrooms each week for alternating art and music instruction. Watch SeeSaw for photos!

Reminder for Parents Who Want to Volunteer--CORI Checks

Reminder If you want to volunteer in schools, you must have a CORI check conducted and you must go into the building with identification (drivers license or passport) to do this. Click here for description of what a CORI check is and does. Without a CORI check, you cannot volunteer in the school. Here is the form to fill out for a CORI. Preschool volunteer opportunities include being a Mystery Reader for the class, presenting a family tradition and supporting special projects.

Natick Public Schools does not discriminate in employment nor its educational programs, services, and activities based on race, creed, color, age, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, physical and intellectual differences, immigration status, homeless status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Please be aware all electronic communication to and from Natick Public Schools is public record and subject to public disclosure per Massachusetts General Law Chapter 66, Section 10.

• Title I: Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990Title II
• Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990Title VI
• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964Title IX
• Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
• MGL, Ch.76, Section 5: Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 76, Section 5