By Derrick Forsythe Record Staff Writer In her 27 years of working in the Wright City R-II School District, rarely has Special Education Administrator Vicki Zuhone been as excited as she is about the …
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R-II dedicates new preschool facility
Posted
By Derrick ForsytheRecord Staff WriterIn her 27 years of working in the Wright City R-II School District, rarely has Special Education Administrator Vicki Zuhone been as excited as she is about the most recent breakthrough.The district celebrated the opening of its new early childhood special education center with a dedication ceremony last Thursday, Sept. 17. A plaque was revealed, dedicating the building to retired educator Shirley Case.“It’s a wonderful opportunity to serve both special needs and typically developing preschoolers,” said Zuhone.The facility is an answer to the quandary the school was facing due to space constraints at West Elementary to house preschool-aged special education students.“All districts are required to service early childhood special education students,” said Zuhone. “We were servicing those students at West, but we were running out of space.”The new building, located next to the central office on Bell Road, currently serves 62 students, ages 3 and 4. Most of those enrolled meet the eligibility for an educational disability, which could be related to an intellectual, physical or visual setback.“Any students who meet eligibility for an educational disability can attend,” said Zuhone.Also among the enrolled are 19 typically-developing students, who serve as role models.“Not only are they being good role models and interacting with them, but we see that as a real way of children better understanding diversity and accepting their peers,” said Zuhone.The school days are split into three-hour sessions in the morning and afternoons, with students attendance based on their individual needs.“We are always focusing on what we can do to help them improve something related to education,” said Zuhone. “This could be how to hold their lunch tray or how to navigate the school.”She says the goal is to make certain the students are kindergarten ready when they enter the grade school system.“We will work on anything a child might be expected to do in grade-level curriculum,” said Zuhone. Those could be both intellectual or motor skills.The school currently has four full-time special education teachers, a therapist and several paraprofessionals. Zuhone says this facility is unlike many others, featuring a therapy room that includes tools for speech, occupational and physical therapy.“This allows them to work on basic functions they might have trouble with like jumping, balance or ball skills,” she said.There also is a nurses office, conference room with interactive white board and playground specially designed for safety and educational purposes.“Everything here was developed to serve as a teaching tool,” said Zuhone, who anticipates the enrollment will increase. Students are eligible as soon as they turn 3 years old and can enroll then, instead of having to wait until the beginning of the next school year.In order to attend the center, students must go through an assessment that will determine their eligibility.
Shirley Case, center, was presented with a certificate of appreciation from the Wright City R-II School District during a dedication ceremony held Sept. 17 to celebrate the opening of the Wright Way Preschool facility. Case was recognized for being one fo the first educators to bring early childhood education to the district. Jana Todd photo.
