A port in a storm
A light in the forest
The smile of a friend
A S B Preschool
In a rather uncertain world, the
preschool at ASB is a safe haven for any visually impaired child
aged 3-5. In a class setting of 2 to 5 students, these young
children experience structure, consistency, and lesson plans
individualized to each learner.
The purposes of the program are to thoroughly
evaluate each child in every part of development, and to provide
experiences that will help them develop to their maximum potential.
This is not obvious to the children. They are caught up in
activities including puzzle and game play, music, art, physical
education, reading, self-help skills, weekly field trips, cooking,
and social play. The program also provides medically prescribed
speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.
According to needs, some children receive pre-Braille,
orientation/mobility, and vision stimulation training.
Teachers in the program have
Master's degrees and state certificates in both early childhood and
vision education. Art, music, and physical education instructors are
certified in vision education and in their areas of specialization.
The classes are each served by teacher aides who are also with the
children before and after school during drop-off and pick-up times.
The preschoolers' day begins at
7:55 and ends at 3:00 Monday through Thursday. Friday's schedule
ends at 1:30 to provide transportation time for residential students
going home throughout the state. The holiday schedule is similar to
that of most public schools. Go to the calendar page on this web
site for specific information. Transportation between home and
school is usually available through the child's local school
district. ASB helps to make such arrangements for interested
families.
Children are provided lunch in
their own dining room by a skilled cafeteria staff supervised by a
licensed dietitian. Their health and medications are managed by a
nurse in a full service infirmary setting with an ACH doctor on
call.
Families or schools with visually
impaired preschoolers are welcomed to visit the ASB campus to
observe, to gain suggestions for materials and procedures, or to
schedule evaluations.
