The positive impact of quality early childhood services can be life long. 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 include:

• Dawn Black, Special Needs Preschool Teacher

• Lisa Lake, Early Kindergarten Teacher

• Johanna Nolin, Speech Language Pathologist

 We are also fortunate to have skilled and dedicated paraprofessionals in each classroom. We contract for therapy services related to occupational therapy (Wendy Wanner, O.T.) and physical therapy with (TBD).

As the Special Services Director in Evergreen, I welcome your questions, concerns, or comments. Please don't hesitate to contact me at 751-1111 ext. 3 or my email: mmeehan@evergreensd50.com.

Sincerely,
Mary Meehan, Ed.S.
Special Services Director

Telephone Numbers

• East Evergreen Elementary (406) 751-1121

• Evergreen Special Services Administration (406) 751-1111 ext. 3

Preschool Serving Children with Special Needs: 

Morning Preschool 

• 8:00 - 10:45 a.m.

• Tuesday - Friday

Afternoon Preschool

• 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.

• Monday - Thursday

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

1. The child resides within the boundaries of Evergreen, Helena Flats, Bigfork School Districts or the Flathead Special Education Cooperative.

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 Ages 4-5 are given preference for Early Kindergarten placement.

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