OUR PROGRAMS
The school offers a variety of services during the regular school year, as well as during a six-week summer program.
Special Education
The intent of special education program is to take the child from their current developmental level to an age appropriate developmental level. Differentiated instruction is used to meet the individual needs of every student. Special education instruction follows the NYS Education Department Scope & Sequence Learning Standards as a guide for educational expectations for young children. KLS offers special classes consisting of only children with disabilities as well as classes consisting of both children with and without disabilities.
Speech Therapy
Speech therapy is provided to eligible children to address delays in language development. Some children need extra attention with articulation. Articulation is how sounds and words are spoken. Other children have more global language delays such as delays with expressive language (how they express their thoughts) or receptive language (how they understand others). Goals are developed to address each child’s area(s) of need to ensure individualized therapy service.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is provided to eligible children to address delays in a gross motor development. Gross motor skills include tasks such as running, jumping, climbing stairs, and riding a bike. A physical therapist may work on a child’s balance, coordination and/or moving safely within their environment. Goals are developed to address each child’s area(s) of need to ensure individualized therapy service.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is provided to eligible children to address delays in fine motor development. Fine motor development can include: using the small muscles of a child’s hand to pick up objects, eye-hand coordination for tasks such as a coloring or completing a puzzle and using two hands together for tasks such as holding a bowl and scooping cereal. Occupational therapy is also provided to some children to address issues of sensory processing. Sensory processing is a neurological process that happens automatically, without thought. Proper sensory processing enables a child to recognize and organize the sensory information received throughout the day so the child can effectively interact with the environment. Occupational therapists have strategies to assist children in properly organizing their sensory information to help them successfully respond to their environment. Goals are developed to address each child’s area(s) of need to ensure individualized therapy service.
Nursing
Nursing is available between the hours of 8 am – 3 pm during the school year and the six week extended school year program. Health checks of each student are conducted daily. The school nurse is able to administer medications with a valid prescription from the child’s physician. The school nurse can also provide helpful information to parents with questions about typical childhood illnesses.