Pre-K Program at OPS Renewed for Another Year

Oradell youngest youth will once again be able to attend a general education preschool program at Oradell Public School next fall as the district has renewed the tuition-based classes.

The class offers the borough's three and four-year-olds to attend school five days a week and the opportunity to socialize, play and learn under the direction of the preschool staff.

"We expect to have 30 tuition based students," Thomas Santagato, Director of Special Education and Student Support Services at OPS said. "We have the program last year and it has to be reapproved every year."

The 2012-13 preschool students who entered the program at age three are automatically enrolled into the 2013-14 four-year-old program, according to Santagato.

The General Education Pre-K Class will follow the elementary school's calendar and run from 8:30 to 11am for the three-year olds and 12:30 to 3pm (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) and 12:30 to 2:30pm (Wednesday) for the four-year olds. There will be approximately 15 students per class.

Each class will have an instructional aide to assist in maintaining a highly structured environment with emphasis on socialization, academics and play. The program follows the Creative Curriculum, which takes thematic topics and blends them into many cross curricular areas.

The preschool does not have a formal ESL program so English will serve as the primary language for instruction. Students must live in Oradell and must turn three on or before October 1, 2013 in order to be eligible for the program. Students must also be toiled trained.

"The cost to run the entire program is covered by the tuition," Santagato said. "The tuition of $3,300 for the 10-month program is similar to other districts in in the area including Hackensack, Teaneck, New Milford and River Edge."

In the case that more students register than expected, a lottery will be instituted to randomly choose students for the program. Those not chosen will be placed on a waiting list and contacted if a spot becomes available. 

A copy of the preschool registration can be found on the Oradell Public School website.

Applications are now being accepted on a first come, first served basis for each program. A nonrefundable deposit of $250 is required at time of registration and must be received by March 8.

Registration should be delivered to the Oradell Board of Education at 350 Prospect Avenue, Oradell along with your child’s birth certificate and two proofs of residency (original recorded deed, original mortgage or lease, utility bill, bank statement).  Checks should be made payable to the Oradell Board of Education. Proper medical documentation will be required prior to the start of the program.

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