Free, developmental screenings for young children will be held at Littleville Elementary School on Monday, May 13 from noon to 3 p.m., and Thursday, May 16 from 9 – 11:30 a.m. All children interested in enrolling in any of Gateway’s Integrated Preschool Programs must participate in a preschool screening to be considered for a peer partner slot. Please call Karen Malinowski at 685-1017 to schedule a screening.

Preschool screenings are given to identify any concerns that parents might have about their child’s development. Screenings include a brief check of skills in the following areas: cognitive/thinking skills, speech and language skills, fine and gross motor skills, social/emotional skills and preschool readiness skills. In addition, parents are asked to fill out a questionnaire; no additional paperwork is needed at the screening. Parents will be notified in writing about the screening results by mid-June, and any next steps will be recommended.

Children must be age 3 by May 13 in order to be screened. Children who turn age 3 after this date will be screened in the fall. Children must live in the Gateway Regional School District (Blandford, Chester, Huntington, Middlefield, Montgomery or Russell); school choice does not apply to preschool. Children who are already enrolled in a Gateway preschool program do not need to participate in screening/registration. Screenings are by appointment only and will take approximately 45 minutes.

In the 2019-2020 school year, Gateway will offer morning or afternoon preschool sessions at Littleville Elementary Schools, Tuesday through Friday. Full day Preschool (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:10 p.m.) is offered at Chester Elementary School and Gateway Middle/High School. Full day preschool is primarily reserved for children who will be 4 years old by September 1.

A Preschool Parent Information Night for families who wish to learn more about Gateway’s Integrated Preschool Program has been scheduled for Tuesday, May7 from 6 – 7 p.m. at Littleville. Free childcare will be provided and each family attending will receive a free book.

If the number of screenings exceeds the number of available preschool openings, peer partners will be determined by a lottery. Parents will be notified by mid-June if their child is accepted for enrollment. Parents must transport their children; bussing is only provided for children who receive preschool as part of their special education plan.

There is no tuition charged to attend preschool. Contact Susan Rhoads (685-1312) if you have specific questions about preschool.