1994-Annual Town Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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The Cape Cod Collaborative for Special Needs con- Mashpee Early Childhood programs including tinues to serve the Mashpee Public Schools with a cur-- kindergarten,preschool,Project C.R.E.A.T.E. and pri- rent caseload of our Mashpee students. In addition, vate preschools in the Town of Mashpee and Head Mashpee continues to collaborate with surroundings Start have pursued accreditation through the NAEYC. public schools districts, human service agencies and A training grant was awarded to assist the programs to with Cape Cod Child Development, Inc., in providing prepare for this rigorous process. appropriate programming for Mashpee students. The Director of Special Education also works in coopera- Federal Special Education grants awarded the tion with Falmouth High School and Cape Cod Tech Mashpee Public Schools totalled $83,100. personnel in providing programming for high school- Additionally, funds totalling $15,500 were received to aged youngsters with special educational needs. supplement early childhood special needs programs. One hundred eighty three kindergarten children The Mashpee Public Schools continue to success- were screened this year resulting in 32 referrals for fully meet the needs of children identified as having further evaluation. A total of 205 student's education- special needs. Through a comprehensive range of pro- al plans were reviewed and updated including full gram offerings, children are served within the least evaluations. A total of 34 students moved into the dis- restrictive setting whenever possible in a manner con- trict with educational plans which were implemented. sistent with their individual educational plans. Frequently,these students required further evaluations and meetings. Additionally, 33 preschool age children In conclusion, the Mashpee School System is mak- were screened and 22 preschoolers were evaluated ing every effort to address the needs of all students as after screening.A total of 37 students were referred by growth changes our system from a small organization teachers and parents through the Educational Service to one that is mid-size. Budgetary concerns are con- Team (EST). stant. Restrictions on our operating budget make it very difficult to maintain the same level of services. Inservice is continuous and has been provided to staff and parents on the issues of inclusion. Topics On behalf of all staff members, I wish to thank the included: pre-referral team, classroom strategies and citizens of Mashpee for their support. techniques for inclusion, transition to adult services, testing and assessment, student records, ADD, devel- Respectfully submitted, opmental curriculum, new special needs procedure Dr. Lincoln A. DeMoura forms, cultural differences in the classroom and 504 Superintendent of Schools regulations. The Mashpee Public Schools was the P recipient of additional state funds for staff develop- mas ment and training. Project TEAM provided for on-site program development and evaluation, as well as sum- mer training for teachers.It has also supported trainingf for the teacher assistance team pre-referral process. Y ,.4p Grants awarded for training totaled $13,500. The Mashpee Special Education Parent Advisor y: P P y f'<..,Council �SEPAL meets regularly. . ." They continueto C•' and services forspecial work in support ofprograms needs children. once again, they are involved in our Disability Awareness Program. lk tF The Director of Special Education, acting at Co- ..: Chairman of the Early Childhood Advisory Council continues to be involved in the development of pro- grams for young children. Project C.R.EATE is Aye ' funded by Chapter 188 in the Mashpee community for R k . the 7th year and provides for an integrated preschool, " lending early childhood library, outreach program for x young children, playgroups and screening. This pro- `` y .fir". :!` '•a:.E.L'j%' gram assists the public schools in reaching youngsters at an early age and providing services prior to school entrance. over 191 Mashpee families of young chit- dren participated through Project C.R.E.A.T.E. this 6 year. w 98