Orange County NC Website
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18 <br /> 1 experiences, as well as developing respect,understanding, appreciation and empathy in all <br /> 2 children. <br /> 3 <br /> 4 The Title 1 Blended Pre-K program believes that children learn best when families and schools <br /> 5 form a respectful, trusting partnership and work together. Families are encouraged to get <br /> 6 involved from the beginning with our DIAL 4 assessment clusters, home visits, visiting the <br /> 7 school and classroom, on-going, daily communication, volunteering, parent conferences, <br /> 8 Children as Teachers Family Days, field trips, newsletters, all with the goal of keeping the parent <br /> 9 as a partner to help the child be successful. Open and honest communication between teachers <br /> 10 and families is important in making sure we are working together to support the child at home <br /> 11 and at school. <br /> 12 <br /> 13 The Title 1 Blended Pre-K program is for children who are four or who will be turning four by <br /> 14 August 3Is'of each school calendar year. It is a requirement that families and their children live <br /> 15 within the attendance areas served by the Orange County School district and meet income and <br /> 16 developmental eligibility requirements. <br /> 17 <br /> 18 Our Title 1 Blended Pre-K classes are funded with a blend of federal Title 1 funding, state North <br /> 19 Carolina(NC) Pre-K funds (Smart Start), the Exceptional Children's Program and Orange <br /> 20 County Schools funds. There are limited tuition placements available at each school site for <br /> 21 families whose income does not qualify for NC Pre-K placement. <br /> 22 <br /> 23 Applications are accepted throughout the school year, for the current school year. Completed <br /> 24 applications are processed, screened ranked for Title 1 and NC Pre-K by the Pre-K Team. <br /> 25 Eligible children must be at risk of failing to meet North Carolina's academic achievement <br /> 26 standards as determined by multiple, educationally related, objective criteria. Family income, <br /> 27 family size and need are also verified. All families are notified of their child's application status. <br /> 28 Applications of children not placed will be maintained on a waiting list for a matching placement <br /> 29 that becomes available. <br /> 30 <br /> 31 The Title 1 Blended Pre-K program follows the OCS K-12 calendar, operating at a minimum of <br /> 32 180 days, and adheres to the K-5 schedule, from 7:30am to 2:50pm. Currently, there is no before <br /> 33 or after school extended care available for Pre-K children. <br /> 34 <br /> 35 Title 1 Blended Pre-K applications, along with program information are available in English and <br /> 36 Spanish for download on the district's website. Hard copies are available at each OCS <br /> 37 elementary school, the OCS Central Office, the OCS Welcome Center, the OC Department of <br /> 38 Social Services, the OC Health Department, and the OC Public Library. <br /> 39 <br /> 40 The Title 1 Blended Pre-K program currently operates on an annual budget of$980,000 for 68 <br /> 41 children. <br /> 42 Funding sources are: <br /> 43 • NC Pre-K: $230,000 <br /> 44 • Federal Title 1: $200,000 <br /> 45 • Federal, State and Local Exceptional Children (EC): $504,104 <br />