Welcome to Jordan Elementary Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)! This program provides preschool services to children ages 3-6 years old who have been identified with special needs.   It is individualized to the needs of each child while also providing opportunities to interact with other children.

Services may be provided in the ECSE classroom exclusively, in an inclusive setting such as the Early Explorers (regular education) preschool, or in a combination of both. All options will fall under the state-funded ECSE guidelines at no cost to families who qualify. ECSE classes will be offered in 2-1/2 to 3 hour programs in AM (8:30-11:00) and PM (12:15-3:15) settings.

PROGRAM STAFF AND PHONE NUMBERS
ECSE Teacher:   Lauralie Axtell               email: laxtell@isd717.org
ECSE Classroom Phone:  952-492-4285
Speech/Language Therapist:  Jenni McDonald
Occupational Therapist:  Stacey Hess-Norskog
Physical Therapist:  Kiirsten Rakers
ASD Specialist:  Britt Flicek
Physical/Health Disabilities Teacher:  Amy Schmitz
Elementary Principal:  Melissa Barnett
Bus garage (Eric Burrill):  952-492-2410

PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION
An important part of our preschool program is communication between home and school.  This will be accomplished through:

1. Parent Handbook – handed out at the beginning of the year. Keep handy for future reference to policies and program   information or view online.
2. Monthly Newsletter – will be sent home during the first week of the month.  Newsletter will include weekly themes, upcoming class/school events, holiday activities, due dates.
3. Daily Activity Sheet – brief summary of daily activities to help you in questioning your child about his/her day.
4. Communication Notebook – notebook to be kept in backpack for information & comments exchanged between parents and teachers.
5. Phone call or email – as needed.
6. Jordan Public School Website -  Visit my page on the school district website (www.jordan.k12.mn.us) by going Jordan Elementary > Early Education > ECSE > Mrs. Axtell

TRANSPORTATION
Transportation will be provided by the District to and from your home or daycare within the school district.  At drop-off parents or daycare providers are asked to meet their child or wave to the bus driver so that they know that someone is there for the child.  If after a few minutes no one appears for the child, he/she will be brought back to the school.  The parent will be contacted and responsible for picking up the child.  If your child does NOT need busing for the day please call the bus garage at 952-492-2410.

BAD WEATHER
Official school closings, late starts or early dismissals due to bad weather will be announced on WCCO radio and TV channels 4,5,11.  You can sign up for "School Reach" to receive weather-related phone calls, text, or email announcements.

ILLNESSES AND ABSENCES
If your child will be absent or late, please call the classroom (952-492-4285) and cancel busing (952-492-2410).  For illnesses such as fever, flu,  strep throat, pink eye it is recommended to keep your child home for at least 24 hours so that a healthy environment may be maintained for other children in the classroom. 

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

1. Backpack clearly labeled with child’s name and big enough to hold papers and school projects.
2. Extra set of clothing (shirt, pants, socks, underwear) in a zip lock bag to be kept at school in case of spills or accidents.
3. Box of tissues/Kleenex.
4. Diapers and wipes, if needed.

Items we are always in need of if you care to donate (optional):  ziploc bags (any size), washable markers, crayons, glue sticks.

 ***Box Tops For Education are collected year round and adds money directly to our classroom for supplies.  Send them with your child anytime.  Thank you!

MEDICATIONS
The policy regarding administration of medication can be obtained from the school nurse, Jessica Zablocki (952-492-4278). 

SNACK TIME & FEES
Snack will be provided daily to all children.  This routine time of day is not only fun and nourishing, but also provides a natural group setting for social, self-help and communication skill development. 

Milk will be provided by the district.  Please let us know if your child has any food allergies!   The teacher will purchase snacks for the classroom.  Monthly snack fees are listed below and are based on the number of days your child attends the ECSE classroom per week:     2 days - $4.00    3 days - $6.00    4 days - $8.00    5 days - $10.00         

The snack fee can be paid monthly or in a lump sum (x9) for the year by cash or check, made payable to Lauralie Axtell.

 ***If your child attends Early Explorers preschool, parents are required to provide snack on their assigned days.

 “SUPERSTAR”
Each day that your child is in our ECSE classroom we will pick a helper.  He/she is called the “Superstar” and will help with the calendar & weather, feeding the fish, snack time, line leader, and any other special jobs for the day.

BIRTHDAYS
Birthdays are a very special day for your child!  We will celebrate this occasion throughout his/her day at school.  You may send a store-bought treat if you like, but it is not necessary – we will make the day special either way.  If your child has a summer birthday, we can celebrate it in May or during our summer school program.

SHARING DAY
We will have a “sharing” time (show & tell) on a set day each week. Children are encouraged to bring something to share, which could be a favorite toy, something related to our theme, nature item, picture or photo, or seasonal/holiday item.  This activity promotes language, as they tell us or answer questions about their item, and turn-taking as we pass it around the circle.

BOOKCLUB ORDERS
Our class will have the opportunity to order books from the Scholastic Book Company on a monthly basis.  They provide an excellent selection of preschool books at reasonable prices, however, you are under no obligation to buy.  Bookclub orders will be sent home at the beginning of each month with the newsletter.  If interested, please send order form and money (cash or check payable to “Scholastic Book Company”) with your child by the due date.  You can also order online atscholastic.com/reading club using our classroom code:  L9RLC. Books are usually received within two weeks.

 ***Don’t forget to check your child’s backpack EVERYDAY!!!