The positive impact of quality early childhood services can be lifelong. We are fortunate at Evergreen School District to have rich opportunities for early childhood education including Kindergarten, Early Kindergarten, and Special Needs Preschool classes. Each of these educational settings is focused on early literacy development and considers the needs of young children for developmentally appropriate learning experiences. We provide services to children ages 3-5 who are identified as eligible for special services in Evergreen and throughout the rural Flathead Valley through interlocal agreements. Individual schedules vary according to the child's needs in order to access appropriate services.

Our full-time professional staff includes:

• Dawn Black, Special Needs Preschool Teacher

• Lisa Lake, Early Kindergarten Teacher

• Erin Keithly, Speech Language Pathologist

 We are also fortunate to have skilled and dedicated paraprofessionals in each classroom. We contract therapy services related to occupational therapy with Wendy Wanner, OT.

As the Special Services Director at Evergreen, I welcome your questions, concerns, or comments. Please don't hesitate to contact me at (406) 751-1111 or my email: mhardman@evergreensd50.com.

Sincerely,
Melissa Hardman
Special Services Director

Telephone Numbers

• East Evergreen Elementary (406) 751-1121

• Evergreen Special Services Administration (406) 751-1111

Preschool Serving Children with Special Needs: 

Morning Preschool 

• 8:25 - 10:55 a.m.

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday

Afternoon Preschool

• 12:00 - 2:55 p.m.

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday

Factors for Participation/Placement in Preschool Serving Children with Special Needs

1. The child resides within the boundaries of Evergreen or Bigfork School Districts.

2. The child has been determined eligible for special education services according to IDEA.

3. The need for special instruction in a special education setting is established through the IDEA evaluation process and is identified as a necessary service in the child's individualized evaluation plan (IEP).

4. The child is 3 to 5 years of age (if 5 after September 10).

Early Kindergarten

• Monday - Friday

• 8:25 - 2:55 p.m

Factors for Participation/Placement in Early Kindergarten

1. Evergreen resident children age 4-5 years old.

2. Exceptional circumstances are evident. The Board of Trustees declares the following to be qualifying “exceptional circumstances” within the meaning of the term as used in 20-5-101. The District defines exceptional circumstances as those students who fall under the provisions of IDEA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Free and Reduced Lunch, Limited English Proficiency, Gifted and Talented, homeless students, or other circumstances which merit waiving the age requirement (i.e. screening results indicating possible at-risk status for developmental challenges or exceptionality, including documented trauma, mental health diagnosis, or familial circumstances).

3. The child lacks access to appropriate early childhood/kindergarten experiences.

4. The child's IEP team recommends placement requiring access to typically developing peers and kindergarten curriculum as the least restrictive environment.

5. School board approval is required for enrollment and participation.

Professional Development

• CSEFEL/Pyramid Model Intervention

• Weekly consultation (communication, therapy, positive behavior intervention)

• Teacher coaching and evaluation of instructional practices

• Home visit orientation

Curriculum/Standards

• Montana Kindergarten Content Standards

• Language for Learning

• Phonological Awareness

• Wonders/Go Math/Adapted Opening the Word of Learning

• Community Experiences

• Family Literacy