Welcome to Prekindergarten (PreK) ESE!Department of Exceptional Student Education The School District of Palm Beach County
Our Team |
Lori Miranda, PreK ESE Program Administrator | (561) 357-7543 |
Amy Baron, PreK ESE Resource Teacher | amy.baron@palmbeachschools.org |
Angela Gomez, PreK ESE Resource Teacher | |
Katie Krieger, PreK ESE Resource Teacher | kathryn.krieger@palmbeachschools.org |
Please feel free to contact us with any questions, concerns or comments!
About PreK ESE
- Our PreK ESE programs serve children between the ages of 3 and 5 in various schools across the school district.
- The purpose of PreK ESE is to provide children with early learning experiences to teach skills that focus on delays in the five developmental areas, which include:
- Adaptive
- Cognitive
- Communication
- Motor
- Social-Emotional
- The learning environment is set up into centers, such as:
- Art Center
- Block Center
- Dramatic Play Center
- Library Center
- Sand and Water Center
- Table Toys Center
- The PreK ESE curriculum is based on age-appropriate themes. The curriculum is:
- Developmental Learning Materials (DLM) Early Childhood Express
Classrooms may also use:
- Conscious Discipline (for social-emotional development)
- Other resources as appropriate
PreK ESE Program Models
Communication |
Half-day program for students eligible for ESE services in Speech and/or Language Impaired. Therapeutic intervention is provided from an SLP only. Students may benefit from the social aspects of the program through peer interaction. Students’ cognitive abilities fall within the typical range.
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VE (Half Day) |
Half-day program for students eligible for ESE services in Speech and/or Language Impaired; DD; ASD and/or sensory areas. Students need less services than those provided in the full day program. Students may have mild delays in cognitive ability and will benefit from the intensive interventions provided.
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VE (Full Day) |
Full day program for students eligible for ESE services in Speech and/or Language Impaired; DD; ASD and/or sensory areas. Students may demonstrate significantly depressed function in receptive and expressive language. Students need more services than those provided in the VE (Half Day) model. Students’ cognitive abilities are below the typical range. Students benefit from the continuity of a full day program.
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Functional |
Full day program for students eligible for ESE services in Speech and/or Language Impaired; DD; ASD and/or sensory areas. Evaluation data indicates significant delay in all areas of development. Students’ cognitive abilities are more delayed than those in a VE (Full Day) class and may need more intensive services.
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Behavior |
Full day program for students eligible for ESE services requiring a structured behavior management system infused throughout the day. Students may have cognitive abilities that are in the typical range or mildly delayed. Students will need to understand the behavior system being implemented.
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ASD |
Full day program for students eligible for ESE services in the areas of ASD or DD with a profile of characteristics that indicate a need for a structured environment with individual visual supports along with an emphasis on pragmatic language skills. Students may also be eligible in the areas of Language Impaired and/or sensory areas. Students in this unit require a high level of support from the teacher and the SLP.
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Severe/Profound |
Full day program for students eligible for ESE services in Speech and/or Language Impaired; DD; ASD and/or sensory areas. Students cognitive abilities are more delayed than those in a functional class. Evaluation data indicates global delays in all areas of development. Students require specific and continuous support from classroom staff in all areas of development. The student may or may not have significant medical involvement.
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DHH |
Full day program for students who are eligible for DHH services.
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VPK/ESE Inclusion |
Full day ESE Inclusion class. Students show indication of achieving success in a classroom group of 18 students. Students may be DD, ASD, Speech and/or Language Impaired. Students will benefit from positive role models of typically developing peers. Students must be age eligible (four years old) and secure a VPK certificate.
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Parent Resources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Developmental Milestones
This website provides information on skills that most children have from 2 months up to 5 years. It also describes activities that you can do at home to help encourage the acquisition of various skills.
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html
- Conscious Discipline: Free Resources for Parents
This website provides tools and strategies to handle upset and conflict with your child at home. Creating a free account is required to access resources.