Preschool program seeks applicants

MARLBORO — The Marlboro K-8 School District offers a half-day integrated preschool program for 3- and 4-year-olds who are residents of Marlboro. The program is designed to bring special-needs pupils and regular preschool pupils together in an integrated environment, according to a press release.

Research has shown that all pupils benefit from this type of program, according to the press release.

Sessions will be held five days per week at the Marlboro Early Learning Center (MELC), Tennent Road. Parents are responsible for transportation of the regular preschool pupils.

Enrollment is open to a limited number of regular preschool students who will be selected via a lottery process. Initially, a total of 25 3- and 4-year-olds will be selected. These children will be administered a preschool readiness screening in the order of the lottery selection.

Based on the number of openings, a selected number of children who qualify will be offered enrollment in the program. The remaining children will be placed on a waiting list. Not all children administered the preschool screen will qualify for the program or for the waiting list, according to the press release.

The lottery drawing for the 2013-14 school year will be held at 1 p.m. May 15 at MELC. To qualify, a child must have been born in 2009 or 2010.

The preschool readiness screening will be administered to those selected starting the week of June 3. Parents will be required to bring their child to MELC for the halfhour assessment during a designated time. A birth certificate and proof of residency must be presented at that screening.

Parents will be notified in writing of the results and their child’s status by June 17. Children who are selected for the 3-year-old program this year will be given priority to enroll in next year’s 4-year-old program.

If placement is offered and accepted, parents/guardians are responsible for a minimum tuition payment of $2,000 (half due by Aug. 16 and half due by Jan. 16). The fee is subject to change after March 19, but before June 17. Notification will be made to all parties involved if such a change occurs.

Applications are available online at www.marlboro.k12.nj.us or at the Board of Education administrative offices, 1980 Township Drive, Marlboro.

Completed applications will be accepted by mail only and must be received no later than May 10. Contact Director of Special Services Robert Klein at 732-972-2000, ext. 2036, for more information.