Preschool Program

The WSD #3 Preschool Program is an integrated model designed to include tuition paying peers with children who have been identified as having special educational needs and Colorado Preschool Program (C.P.P.) eligible students. The philosophy of this integration is to provide modeling and interaction, which ensures an enriching experience for all. Throughout the program, the children will learn through play exploration, participate in small and large group activities, enjoy art, music and science, and learn self-help skills for becoming more independent. A strong emphasis will be made on language development throughout the program. Children will receive Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Language Therapy and Title I services based on identified needs. The preschool curriculum is based on the Colorado Department of Education’s Building Blocks and P- 12 Content Standards and the Creative Curriculum to ensure the students’ readiness for kindergarten. Our program is licensed by the Colorado Department of Human Services Division of Child Care, the Security Fire Protection District and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Copies of the licensure inspections are available in the preschool office.

Eligibility:

Children who are three or four years of age by October 1 of the current school year are eligible to enroll in WSD3 preschool. Children must turn three before beginning preschool.

Tuition Paying Peers:

There are slots allocated in each class for a few tuition paying peers. These children are awarded slots and assigned to classes based on the order of the existing waiting list. Attendance is two days per week at a cost of $120 per quarter (4 quarters per school year).

Colorado Preschool Program:

Colorado Preschool Program (C.P.P.) is a free educational program that provides comprehensive preschool services to qualified children and families. Integrated within the WSD #3 Preschool Program, the four half day (C.P.P.) preschool program services 4-year-old children who meet eligibility factors established by the state and district. Parents support the program through a services participation agreement. These free services are overseen by a district council that includes parents. Parent education, regular meetings, and referrals for community services are part of the C.P.P. program. 

Children with Special Educational Needs:

Children with special educational needs are those who have had a comprehensive Child Find evaluation and have been determined eligible to receive special education services in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Individual Education Plans (IEP’s) are developed based on student needs. Special education and related services are provided while children are in attendance, free of charge, at preschool. If you have developmental concerns for your child, please speak with your child’s classroom teacher who can advise you on the next steps in the process for seeking a Child Find evaluation.

Please practice the following parking lot/entrance guidelines to ensure everyone's safety.

• Buckle up!!
• At North, use only the south parking lot (parallel to Hallam Ave.). The north parking lot is for busses and the west is staff use only.
  • At Webster, park on the street by the gate entrance or in the circular drive.
  • At Grand Mountain, park in the large front parking lot.
• Slow down and use extreme caution.
• Refrain from cell phone use upon entering and exiting the parking lot and when inside the school.
• State law prohibits all tobacco use on school property. This includes smoking in or outside of your vehicle while on school property.
• Look all directions before entering and leaving the parking lot and when backing from a parking space.
• Never leave children unattended in your vehicle.
• Hold children's hands at all times.  No running!
• Please close and lock the gate when you enter the courtyard.
• If you enter the school, sign in at the front desk before proceeding to your child's classroom.
• Working together we will have a safe and happy year!

If the school district calls a 2 hour delay for the start of school due to bad weather, MORNING preschool will be canceled, but we will hold classes for the afternoon session.

If the school district cancels school for the day, the preschool classes will also be canceled.

Inclement Weather Policy and Procedure for WSD#3

Emergency School Closing and Two-Hour Late Starts: The primary method to notify all district employees, parents and students of school closing is by radio and television. Listen to local stations for information.

Widefield School District #3 will…

• Make inclement weather decision(s) based on students’ safety.
• Make the decision as to whether school will be closed and announce that decision no later than 6:30 a.m. on radio stations and TV stations.
• Not penalize students if parents keep them home or pick them up from school on questionable days.

In the event the decision made earlier is to open schools and the storm worsens unexpectedly, Widefield School District #3 will…

• Inform the same media, as stated above, that schools will dismiss students early
• Keep buildings open as long as necessary to evacuate all students safely

Parents are expected to…

• Be responsible for custody of children
• Decide whether to send children to school on threatening, stormy days
• Listen for an early dismissal announcement
• Know that students my be dismissed earlier than normal
• Not rely on telephones to make last minute arrangements for their children. (Lines tend to malfunction and be overloaded during storms and in the event of a power failure the telephones do not work)

Two-Hour Late Starts…

If an emergency closing is declared by the superintendent for part of the day only, a two-hour late start may be used. Whenever feasible, a two-hour late start will be announced by 5:30 a.m. through the same channels as a school closure. These channels include television, radios, and the district’s website.

When district officials announce a two-hour late start, all start times, bus pick-up times and other standard schedules will be moved back by two hours. Morning kindergarten and morning preschool will be cancelled for that day. P.M. kindergarten and preschool classes will still be in session.

If you have concerns about your baby, toddler or preschooler's social, preacademic, physical or behavioral development. We can help! Through play based assessment and parental participation and input, we can assess your child and determine if they are in need of special education services. Please contact our Child Find Coordinator at (719) 391-3375 for additional information or to make an appointment.

The Widefield School District desires for your student to have an information rich education.  We believe this requires all students to have access to the Internet at school. Our Board policy regarding the Internet has changed to reflect this philosophy.  Under the new Board Policy JS-Student Use of Internet Electronic Communication, we no longer require parent permission before we will let your student access the Internet at school on a school owned device.  Instead, we expect that students will use the Internet unless you as the parent/guardian explicitly and annually submit the Annual Internet Opt-Out Form (See Board Policy JS-E) and return it to your student's school. Questions regarding this policy may be directed to Technology at (719) 391-3023.