Project BEGIN

Project B.E.G.I.N., Better Educational Growth Invested Now, is an at-risk pre-kindergarten program funded by Illinois State Board of Education grants to promote parental involvement, early intervention and partnership between home and school. Two morning sessions and two afternoon sessions are available for children between the ages of three and five at Grand Prairie Elementary School.

Children are eligible if they display a delay in either cognitive, communication, motor or social skills. Parent(s) employment or unemployment status, family income level, family mobility, limited English proficiency, foster care status, health issues, parent(s) education level, parent(s) age, and family constellation are also taken into consideration when determining eligibility for enrollment in this program. It is a program for children who, because of environmental or family circumstances have not had an opportunity to be exposed to, or involved in, school readiness or developmental activities. As a result, they may have a delay in one or more of the developmental areas.

During the school year, we introduce letter recognition, letter sounds, number recognition, counting, shapes, and colors. We prepare children for Kindergarten by providing stimulating group time and center activities. We focus on teaching social skills by fostering an environment in which students can form friendships, experience opportunities for sharing, and use manners at snack times. We also offer opportunities for students to develop their fine and gross motor skills. The goal of the program is to implement exciting hands-on activities so children grow into life-long learners.

The Project B.E.G.I.N. office is located at Grand Prairie Elementary School. The classroom is housed at Grand Prairie Elementary School with the AM session scheduled from *8:25 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The PM session begins at 12:00 p.m. and ends at 2:30 p.m.

Additional information regarding Project B.E.G.I.N. is available by contacting the office at 815.469.3366. Screenings will take place throughout the year.

Project B.E.G.I.N. Contacts:
Carrie Clodi[Email]