REACH: District 34's Early Childhood Program

The REACH Early Childhood Program provides preschool education experiences to children ages three to five who live within Glenview School District 34. The program is an expansion of the existing District 34 Early Childhood and PreK programs and includes a mix of blended classes (including bilingual Spanish-English classes). Each blended class will include a mix of typically developing students (who pay tuition), students who meet at-risk criteria (and receive a tuition waiver), and students who have special education needs that are met within the classroom setting (and receive a tuition waiver).

Screenings are held throughout the year:

• October 23, 2018
• November 21, 2018
• December 17, 2018
• January 22, 2019
• February 22, 2019
• March 19, 2019
• April 17, 2019
• May 20, 2019

The REACH program utilizes a play based approach through the Creative Curriculum in conjunction with Second Step and The Incredible Flexible You social-emotional curricula. Each classroom uses a variety of learning centers including science and discovery, art, reading, dramatic play, toys and games, blocks, and outdoor learning. Students also attend twice weekly Music and Movement classes.

To make an appointment for a screening, or if you have any questions, please contact Stefanie Shefler, Assistant Principal, Westbrook School, at 847-626-4121 or sshefler@glenview34.org.

Staff and facilities

REACH classrooms are housed at Westbrook School and are staffed by one teacher and two teaching associates. All teachers are dually certified in early childhood and special education with an additional endorsement in English Language Learner instruction. In addition, a social worker, school psychologist, several speech and language pathologists, an occupational therapist, and physical therapist are fully integrated into the program curriculum to provide support to all students.

Schedule

The REACH program is for 3 and 4 year-olds and features morning and afternoon sessions 5 days per week. This year's hours are:

• Morning session: 8:45 – 11:15 a.m.
• Afternoon session: 12:30 – 3:15 p.m.

Tuition

Program tuition for typically developing students is $2,550 per year. The program is provided free of charge for at-risk and special education students. At-risk student eligibility is based on the child’s performance on a preschool screening along with the presence of one or more risk factors. Special education eligibility is determined through a process that may include agency, parent, or doctor referral and a multi-disciplinary evaluation.