The Newton Early Childhood Programs provide a wide range of special education services for children ages 3-5, who are not eligible to attend kindergarten and reside in Newton. These services include evaluation, therapy sessions to address specific needs (e.g. speech and language, physical therapy, etc.), and education in classroom settings.
Concerns About Your Child's Development?
If you have concerns about your child's development you should contact Michael Thurm, Director of Newton Early Childhood Programs, to discuss your concerns and determine what next steps would be the most appropriate. Often, following a discussion about your concerns, additional written information is gathered from you and your child's teachers in order to make the best recommendations. In many cases, a child is then observed in his/her educational setting and our early childhood consulting teacher collaborates with the child's educators to develop and implement strategies for facilitating development. In some cases a child is referred for a formal evaluation through the Newton Public Schools following an initial discussion or after implementing strategies in the classroom.
Is Your Child Receiving Early Intervention Services?
If your child is receiving Early Intervention Services your service coordinator will work with you to develop a referral packet for your child. Once this packet is received by the Newton Public Schools you will receive a letter confirming receipt of the referral packet. The Preschool Coordinator will contact you three months before your child's third birthday to discuss appropriate evaluations and the evaluation process. Contacting you three months prior to your child's third birthday ensures that evaluations and your child's eligibility for continued services will take place before your child turns three. Evaluation during this time period also ensures that the Newton Public Schools will gain accurate developmental information about your child.
Concerns About Your Child's Development?If you have concerns about your child's development you should contact Michael Thurm, Director of Newton Early Childhood Programs, to discuss your concerns and determine what next steps would be the most appropriate. Often, following a discussion about your concerns, additional written information is gathered from you and your child's teachers in order to make the best recommendations. In many cases, a child is then observed in his/her educational setting and our early childhood consulting teacher collaborates with the child's educators to develop and implement strategies for facilitating development. In some cases a child is referred for a formal evaluation through the Newton Public Schools following an initial discussion or after implementing strategies in the classroom. Is Your Child Receiving Early Intervention Services?If your child is receiving Early Intervention Services your service coordinator will work with you to develop a referral packet for your child. Once this packet is received by the Newton Public Schools you will receive a letter confirming receipt of the referral packet. The Preschool Coordinator will contact you three months before your child's third birthday to discuss appropriate evaluations and the evaluation process. Contacting you three months prior to your child's third birthday ensures that evaluations and your child's eligibility for continued services will take place before your child turns three. Evaluation during this time period also ensures that the Newton Public Schools will gain accurate developmental information about your child. Contact Information:
Michael Thurm
Director
Michael_Thurm@newton.
k12.ma.us
Michelle LeMay
Administrative Assistant
Michael Thurm
Director
Michael_Thurm@newton.
k12.ma.us
Michelle LeMay
Administrative Assistant
k12.ma.us
Phone: 617.559.6050
Fax: 617.559.6001
Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8:15-3:15
