Grand Prairie Elementary » Project BEGIN

Project BEGIN

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

Children are eligible based on a variety of at-risk factors identified through a screening process. At-risk factors may include, but are not limited to: a delay in either cognitive, communication, motor or social skills; parent(s) employment status; family income level; limited English proficiency; foster care status; health issues; parent(s) education level; and/or family constellation. 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, a child may have a delay in one or more developmental areas and may meet the criteria for one or more at-risk factors. 

During the school year, teachers introduce letter recognition, letter sounds, number recognition, counting, shapes, and colors. Teachers prepare children for Kindergarten by providing stimulating group time and center activities. Teachers focus on social skills by fostering an environment in which students can form friendships, experience opportunities for sharing, and use manners at snack times. The program also offers opportunities for students to develop his or her 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 classrooms are housed at Grand Prairie Elementary School with the AM session scheduled from 8:20 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. and the PM session scheduled from 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. 

Additional information regarding Project B.E.G.I.N. is available by contacting Renae Kasper, Special Services Secretary at 815.806.4026. Screenings will take place throughout the year. Enrollment is based on at-risk criteria and is pending space availability. 

Jennifer Bajda
Director of Special Services
Frankfort School District 157C
(815)806-4013
[email protected].


Renae Kasper
Special Services Secretary
(815)806-4026
[email protected]