January 8, 2024

District PreK/EC staff, in collaboration with the Collinsville Community Inclusion Team (CIT), applied for and was awarded a grant through the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Advancing Inclusion and Supporting Early Childhood Special Education in Community-based Settings project. This planning grant provides funding to engage a community-based childcare center in scaling up the inclusion of preschoolers with identified special needs.

The Collinsville CIT was launched thanks to CUSD 10’s participation in a federal initiative to implement, sustain and scale up high quality preschool inclusion. The initiative was co-led by ECTA and the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI), and included partners from across the early care and education system. ISBE and EarlyCHOICES led the work in Illinois. This initiative focused on using indicators to analyze the level of preschool inclusion in a community and provide a framework for increased inclusion efforts.  Community inclusion teams are a unique strategy to support this effort. 

The Collinsville CIT includes representatives from several community-based organizations, including Riverbend Head Start and Family Services, Brightpoint’s Stronger Beginnings for Families and Child Care Resource and Referral programs, Child and Family Connections 21, and Family Matters Parent Training & Info Center.  CUSD 10 staff, administrators and families are also represented on the team. 

Collinsville CUSD 10 and Riverbend Head Start continue to be one of the few community agencies in the state of Illinois to collaboratively provide individualized special education and related services in-place at a community-based facility.  Eligible preschool students are able to stay in their natural, inclusive classroom at Head Start and receive services provided by CUSD 10 staff.  Bringing services to students at their childcare center reduces transitions for these 3- or 4-year old children, who otherwise would need bus transportation mid-day to receive specialized services. The Advancing Inclusion grant award allows Collinsville Unit 10 to expand these services into a community-based childcare center.

Kaleidoscope of Kids Daycare has partnered with Unit 10 in this project. Through this grant, Kaleidoscope received materials needed to better serve preschool students with special needs. These include a sensory activity wall, social-emotional teaching kits and materials, light tables, dolls with special needs and adaptive equipment, and books featuring diverse students. Additionally, Kaleidoscope staff were able to complete observations of inclusive preschool classrooms and receive support from inclusion coaches.

The Collinsville CIT continues to meet monthly to work on various projects that will impact preschool inclusion in the community, including the creation of a website that can be accessed by families and programs. This website documents the Collinsville CIT’s history and progress, and offers technical assistance resources to programs and families. The Collinsville CIT website can be accessed here.

For more information on Collinsville Community Inclusion Team:

Christine Coleman, Collinsville CIT Facilitator
618-346-6301 extension 5941
ctcoleman@cusd.kahoks.org

The post Grant Will Advance Preschool Inclusion in the Community appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

March 29, 2023

The Collinsville CIT was launched thanks to CUSD 10’s participation in a federal initiative to implement, sustain and scale up high quality preschool inclusion. The initiative was co-led by ECTA and the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI) and included partners from across the early care and education system. The Illinois State Board of Education and EarlyCHOICES led the work in Illinois. This initiative focused on using indicators to analyze the level of preschool inclusion in a community and to provide a framework for increased inclusion efforts throughout a community. Community inclusion teams are a unique strategy to support this effort. 

The Collinsville CIT includes representatives from several community-based organizations, including Riverbend Head Start and Family Services, Children’s Home and Aid’s Stronger Beginnings for Families and Child Care Resource and Referral programs, Child and Family Connections 21, and Family Matters Parent Training & Info Center.  CUSD 10 staff, administrators and families are also represented on the team. 

The CIT’s journey was recently highlighted in an episode of a podcast series, Preschool Inclusion in Illinois, produced by StarNET Regions I & III. Collinsville CIT Inclusion Coach Pam Reising-Rechner and CIT Facilitator Christine Coleman detailed the work of Collinsville’s Community Inclusion Team in episode two of the series, which will air on April 3, 2023. The podcast series can be found here.

Collinsville CUSD 10 and Riverbend Head Start continue to be the only agencies in the state of Illinois to collaboratively provide individualized special education and related services in-place at a Head Start facility.  Eligible preschool students are able to stay in their natural, inclusive classroom at Head Start and receive services provided by CUSD 10 staff. Bringing services to students at their childcare center reduces transitions for these 3- or 4-year old children, who otherwise would need to bus transportation mid-day to receive specialized services. 

The Collinsville CIT continues to meet monthly to work on various projects that will impact preschool inclusion in the community, including the creation of a website that can be accessed by families and programs. This website documents the Collinsville CIT’s history and progress, and offers technical assistance resources to programs and families. The Collinsville CIT website can be accessed here.

Programs that are interested in scaling up their own preschool inclusion efforts can benefit from an upcoming webinar series. EarlyCHOICES will host a Preschool Inclusion Toolbox Three-Part series beginning April 19, 2023. Sessions will cover topics that are integral to high- quality inclusive preschool programs, including the creating a vision, policies and procedures that support inclusion, and evidence-based practices. Registration is now open

For more information on Collinsville Community Inclusion Team:

Christine Coleman, Collinsville CIT Facilitator
618-346-6301 extension 5941
ctcoleman@cusd.kahoks.org

The post March 2023 Update on CUSD 10 Community Inclusion Team appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

“The relationship between home, school and community is vital and we are proud of our Early Childhood Program and our community partners for their work to assist primary children and their families throughout the school year,” notes Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 Superintendent Dr. Mark B. Skertich.

“This team is providing an example of what community collaboration can achieve when confronting complex issues such as preschool inclusion,” according to Christine Coleman, Collinsville CUSD 10 PreK Coordinator and CIT Facilitator.

National Focus

The Collinsville CIT was launched thanks to Collinsville CUSD 10’s participation in a federal initiative to implement, sustain and scale up high quality preschool inclusion. The initiative is co-led by ECTA and the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI) and includes partners from across the early care and education system. ISBE and Early CHOICES lead the work in Illinois.

This initiative focuses on using indicators to analyze the level of preschool inclusion in a community and implementing change throughout. Community inclusion teams are a unique strategy to support this effort. The Community Inclusion Teams Report summarizes the efforts and results of work through December 2021.

Collinsville Community Inclusion Team Innovation

Collinsville CIT has met monthly since August 2020 and includes representatives from several community-based organizations, including Riverbend Head Start and Family Services, Children’s Home and Aid’s Stronger Beginnings for Families and Child Care Resource and Referral programs, Child and Family Connections 21, and STAR NET Region IV.  CUSD 10 staff, administrators and families are also represented on the team. 

Collinsville CUSD 10 and Riverbend Head Start have piloted a unique project that expanded individualized services at the Head Start facility.  Preschool students who are eligible to receive special education and related services are able to stay in their natural, inclusive classroom at Head Start and receive services provided by CUSD 10 staff. Bringing services to students in-place at their childcare center reduces transitions for these 3- or 4-year old children, who otherwise would need to get on a bus in the middle of their day to get these specialized services. This collaboration is the only one of its kind in the state of Illinois and is the reason for the recent award presented to the CIT.

Continued Community Efforts

The Collinsville CIT continues to meet monthly to tackle various projects that will impact preschool inclusion. The CIT will be continuing its survey of local daycare centers in an effort to deepen the community’s collaboration and provide support to everyone who cares for children with disabilities in Collinsville and the surrounding area.

Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 comprises 13 schools serving 6,400 students PreK-12 in Madison and St. Clair Counties in Southwestern Illinois.  

For more information on Collinsville Community Inclusion Team:

Christine Coleman, Collinsville CIT Facilitator
618-346-6301 extension 5941
ctcoleman@cusd.kahoks.org

The post CUSD 10 Community Inclusion Team Recognized appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

“Our district is fortunate to have strong partnerships with our community organizations, which enables our district to maximize services for students and families,” notes Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 Superintendent Dr. Mark B. Skertich.

“This team is working together to share the importance of preschool inclusion, both in the classroom and the community,” according to Alison Underwood, Collinsville CUSD 10 Director of Special Education. 

Continued Broad-based Community Collaboration

The Collinsville CIT’s  work is summarized in their vision statement: “We exist to prepare young children from Collinsville and its surrounding area for success regardless of ability, gender, racial identity or ethnicity by increasing access through full participation within inclusive, natural environments.” 

Through participation in a federal technical assistance grant. and supported by the Illinois State Board of Education and the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center, this team continues to work to ensure that our community’s youngest students receive their education in an inclusive setting, no matter what program they attend within the community.

Collinsville Community Inclusion Team Activities

Collinsville CIT has met monthly since August 2020 and includes representatives from several community-based organizations, including Riverbend Head Start, Children’s Home and Aid’s Stronger Beginnings and Child Care Resource and Referral programs, Early Intervention-CFC 21, and STAR NET Region IV.  CUSD 10 staff, administrators and families are also represented on the team. The CIT has launched a Facebook page that will help provide information to the community about inclusion. CIT Facebook Page  

“The team has created resource documents that highlight inclusion technical assistance that is available to programs and families in the area,” noted Mrs. Underwood. These documents are available at the following links:  Inclusion Technical Assistance for Programs  Family Resources for Inclusion

Collinsville CUSD #10 and Riverbend Head Start’s collaborative pilot to expand individualized services at the Head Start facility has been successful in its first year. During the 2022-23 school year, additional preschool students who are eligible to receive special education and related services will be able to stay in their natural, inclusive classroom at Head Start and receive services provided by District #10 staff.

The CIT will be surveying local daycare centers over the next few months in a continuing effort to deepen the community’s collaboration and provide support to everyone who cares for children with disabilities in Collinsville and the surrounding area.

Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 comprises 13 schools serving 6,400 students PreK-12 in Madison and St. Clair Counties in Southwestern Illinois.  

For more information on Collinsville Community Inclusion Team:

Christine Coleman, Collinsville CIT Facilitator
618-346-6301 extension 5941
ctcoleman@cusd.kahoks.org

The post CUSD 10 Announces 2022 Community Inclusion Team Progress appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Collinsville, IL — November 22, 2021

“This team’s shared vision, ongoing participation, and growing membership demonstrate the commitment our community has for inclusion,” according to Alison Underwood, Collinsville CUSD 10 Director of Special Education. 

C0ntinued Broad-based Community Collaboration

The Collinsville CIT includes representatives from several community-based organizations, including Riverbend Head Start, Children’s Home and Aid’s Stronger Beginnings and Childcare Resource and Referral programs, Early Intervention-CFC 21, and Star Net Region IV.  CUSD 10 staff, administrators and families are also represented on the team. The work of the CIT is summarized in their vision statement: “We exist to prepare young children from Collinsville and its surrounding area for success regardless of ability, gender, racial identity or ethnicity by increasing access through full participation within inclusive, natural environments.”

Collinsville Community Inclusion Team Activities

Collinsville CIT has met monthly since August 2020. The CIT continues to work together to provide information to the community about inclusion. To this end, District representatives on the team have created a video highlighting what inclusive practices looks like, sounds like, and feels like. Use THIS LINK to view the video.

The Collinsville CIT created a Facebook page to continue to share information on inclusion with the wider community: Collinsville Community Inclusion Team. 

Finally, Collinsville CUSD #10 and Riverbend Head Start have embarked on a pilot to expand individualized services at the Head Start facility. A limited number of preschool students who are eligible to receive special education and related services are able to stay in their natural, inclusive classroom at Head Start and receive services provided by District #10 staff. This deep collaboration between the District and Head Start has been made possible through the formation and continued work of the Collinsville Community Inclusion Team.

The post Update on PreK Community Inclusion Team Progress appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

“Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 was one of three school districts in our state selected by the Illinois State Board of Education’s (ISBE) Division of Early Childhood to participate in a federal technical assistance grant. Illinois and Oregon were the two states chosen to receive support by the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center, a federal technical assistance provider,” according to Alison Underwood, Collinsville CUSD 10 Director of Special Education.

CUSD 10 Director of Special Education Alison Underwood said, “Our district was selected based on the progress we have made toward providing more inclusive opportunities for early childhood students. The goal of the grant is to ensure that our littlest learners receive their education in an inclusive setting, no matter what program they attend within the community.”

“One of Collinsville’s greatest strengths is providing our students in grades K-12 an inclusive environment regardless of their educational needs. We are grateful for the opportunity to expand and improve current programs in Pre-K and Early Childhood to make sure we meet students academic and social emotional needs,” added Dr. Skertich, CUSD 10 Superintendent.

Broad-based Community Collaboration

The Collinsville CIT includes representatives from several community-based organizations, including Riverbend Head Start, Lily Pad Learning Center, Children’s Home and Aid, Early Intervention-CFC 21, and Star Net Region IV. CUSD 10 staff, administrators and families are also represented on the team.

The work of the CIT is summarized in their vision statement: “We exist to prepare young children from 3 to 5 years old for success in Kindergarten and beyond regardless of ability, gender, racial identity or ethnicity by providing various supports within inclusive, natural environments.”

Collinsville Community Inclusion Team Activities

Collinsville CIT has met monthly since August 2020. To this date, the team has completed an in-depth analysis of the community’s level of inclusion. The CIT is actively working together to provide information to the community about inclusion. Upcoming collaboration will focus on creating policies to ensure that preschool inclusion is scaled-up throughout our community. This work is guided by the Illinois State Board of Education’s Illinois Early Childhood Inclusion Vision Statement.

For more information on Collinsville Community Inclusion Team:

Christine Coleman, Collinsville CIT Facilitator
618-346-6301 extension 5941
ctcoleman@cusd.kahoks.org

The post CUSD 10 Announces Community Inclusion Team appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Sunrise Kiwanis President Mike Evans gave the check to Collinsville Pre-K Coordinator Christine Coleman and Kreitner Principal Dr. Todd Pettit.

The donation will be used to purchase “talking pens” and special books they translate.  Mrs. Coleman and Dr. Pettit demonstrated the pens for the children and Kiwanis members in attendance.

The post Sunrise Kiwanis Donates $1,000 to Kreitner Pre-K Program appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Saturday, April 6th, 2019

Granby Park, 2550 North 44th Street, Fairmont City, IL

11:30 am –  Easter Parade (featuring the Collinsville Middle School Marching Band!)
Parade will start at the Fairmont Community Center

12:00 – 2:00 pm – Family Fun at Granby Park (including an Easter egg hunt!)

Free books, ice cream and prizes!
Learn more about Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 Title I Reading Program and Pre-Kindergarten.

Click here for information:  English OR Spanish

Books, ice cream and prizes funded with Title I Grant funds

The post Springtime Fun in Fairmont City Hosted by Title I & Pre-K appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Click for a printable version.

The SIU School of Dental Medicine is offering their annual Give Kids A Smile event on Columbus Day, October 8th, 2018. The dental school will provide free comprehensive dental care to children ages 3 – 13 who qualify for their school’s free/reduced lunch program.

Registration is between 7:30 – 12:00 on the day of the event in the gymnasium located on the school’s Alton IL campus on Annex Street.   No appointments are necessary.

“We will providing free dental exams, x-rays, extractions, cleanings, sealants, fluoride treatments, fillings, and crowns. We’ve also partnered with several community members to provide free health education, hearing screenings and entertainment to children that day,” according to Director of Community Dentistry Katie Kosten.

Each child must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to receive treatment. All dental services will be provided by SIU School of Dental Medicine faculty, students and staff, members of the Madison and St. Clair District Dental Societies and the Lewis and Clark College dental assisting and dental hygiene faculty and students.

The post SIUE Dental School Offering Free Dental Care for Kids 10/8 appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Renfro’s Sarah Owen and Dorothy Joyce

Renfro Elementary School 2nd grade teachers Sarah Owen and Dorothy Joyce, and Kreitner Elementary School PreK teacher Amber Denbow were selected by Scholastic Book Clubs to each receive $500 in books for their classrooms.

The teachers entered a contest to earn books to build their classroom libraries through the Scholastic Book Clubs – James Patterson Partnership. Their entries were chosen from 127,000 nationally.  The 2018 contest winners were recently announced by Scholastic.

Kreitner’s Amber Denbow

Owen, Joyce and Denbow will get $500 in books and an additional 500 bonus points from Scholastic.

The post Three Teachers Earn Classroom Books from Scholastic Contest appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

The Books & Ice Cream event will feature fun family activities, as well as books and ice cream treats.

Click here to view Books and Ice Cream event information in English

Click here to view Books and Ice Cream event information in Spanish..

The post Books & Ice Cream Event May 16 appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Dinner Attendees from CUSD 10

Collinsville VFW honored students in grades Pre-K thru 5 for their patriotic art and essays at the annual Americanism Dinner held on April 17, 2018 at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5691.

This year, nearly 700 entries were submitted in coloring (Pre-K & K), poster design (grades 1-3) and essay writing (grades 4 & 5).

Winners and families were invited to the recognition dinner where VFW officers presented certificates and medals.

The post VFW Americanism Dinner Celebrates Young Students’ Art & Essays appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

A local Kiwanis International Club was chartered in Collinsville in 1980.  Young Child Priority One is an ongoing community service program of Kiwanis International that addresses the needs of children age 0–5. 

The focus of YCPO is maternal & child health, child care & development, parent education & support, and safety & pediatric trauma.  All Kiwanis Clubs are encouraged to carry out at least two YCPO projects per calendar year..  

Kiwanis member Mrs. Theresa Billy, a former Unit 10 teacher and school board member, spoke to the young students and staff as she presented the large symbolic check on behalf of Sunrise Kiwanis.  “We help the community and we love kids.  We are proud an delighted to give you $1,000.”

The money was raised by selling oranges, peanuts and apples during the year, as well as the group’s annual Bagna Cauda booth at the Italian Fest.

The Sunrise Kiwanis also provides a shopping trip, breakfast treats, pizza lunch and bowling for 50-60 children in the Collinsville school district during the holiday season.  Kiwanis supports the Key Club at Collinsville High School  and the new Blayhok Club at Collinsville Middle School.

The post Sunrise Kiwanis Gives $1,000 to Pre-K Program appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Early Childhood Spring Screenings 2018 (English)

Early Childhood Spring Screenings 2018 (Spanish)

For more information on CUSD 10 Pre-K and Early Childhood services:  Click here or visit the Early Childhood Pre-K website.

The post Register for Spring 2018 Early Childhood Screenings appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Catherine Perez presents a check to CUSD 10 Pre-K Coordinator Zach Allen.

Thank you to Perez Insurance Agency for providing lunch for the Unit 10 Pre-K staff during their Pre-K Teacher Institute on February 12, 2018.

Catherine Perez is supporting the CUSD 10 Pre-K program through the Farmers Insurance signature corporate social responsibility program: Thank America’s Teachers.

For information: Farmers’ Corporate Giving Education Programs.

Perez demonstrated her appreciation for our Pre-K staff and plans to partner with them in the future to support Early Childhood education in our community.

Anyone can visit Thank America’s Teachers to acknowledge an exceptional teacher and say thanks.

Teachers are invited to submit grant proposals for awards of $2,500 to $100,000.

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