Staff

Writer

4-year old preschool class composed of special

needs students and their "typical

peers" will open its doors in August at

Fayetteville Elementary-Primary and Peeples

Elementary School.

According

to Clemene Ramsey, program coordinator for

Fayette County Schools' exceptional children, the

pilot class is designed as a skills building

class to prepare 4-year olds for kindergarten.

The

idea to combine children who need more direction

with average and gifted peers is based on the way

collaborative classes currently operate in the

school system. Children with learning

disabilities and other special needs, such as

developmental delays in fine motor and gross

motor skills, learn best in an integrated

setting, Ramsey said. "The worst thing is

for these children to be isolated," she

said.

"Most

of these students are average to above average in

their cognitive development," Ramsey added.

The program is locally funded by the Fayette

County School System, through its special

education program. A registration and activity

fee is required for those participating.

There

will be one class at each school, staffed by two

special education teachers and two

paraprofessionals or aides, and a visiting

community-based teacher. There are now seven

"typical peers" and four special needs

students registered at the Fayetteville

Elementary site. More special needs children are

expected. About 15 children maximum would allow

for flexible grouping, Ramsey said.

Prospective

students were screened earlier this month in

order to create a well-balanced class. Ramsey

said parents opted for the pilot class for a

number of reasons. "One mother was real

excited about the class. She has a relative in

the family who has a disability and she wants her

child to be sensitive to people with

disabilities. Another parent lost a Downs

syndrome child and is sensitive to special needs

children," Ramsey said.

Classes

will begin the week after the Fayette County

public schools open, which this year is Aug. 16.

"This gives our teachers a week to

plan," Ramsey said. The daily schedule also

is flexible. Classes will be four hours a day,

except Wednesdays when they will run two hours,

providing built-in time for parent education and

additional teacher education and in-service

programs.

The

curriculum will be theme-based and teachers will

help children master basic skills needed for

kindergarten such as sitting in circle time,

taking turns and interacting with classmates.

Ramsey

said she expects to accommodate all the children

who are interested and qualify. If more children

apply than can be accepted, a lottery will be

conducted. For information, phone 770-460-3990

ext. 165.

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