Early Childhood
The Early Childhood Program in Orland District 135 provides a full continuum of services to meet the needs of children between the ages of 3 and 5 who experience educational challenges and are found eligible for special education services. For further information about early childhood services, please contact the student services department at 708-364-3323.
Preschool Screening
Orland District 135 offers ongoing preschool screenings for children between the ages of 3 and 5, who are residents of Orland School District 135. The developmental screenings assess the areas of communication, motor, cognitive and social-emotional skills to determine if a child is meeting his/her developmental milestones. Orland School District 135's preschool program is a non-tuition based program reserved for children who present with delays in their development and therefore, does not have open enrollment.
Creative Curriculum: The Illinois Early Learning and Developmental Standards provide the framework for instruction within the Orland District 135 early childhood program. District 135 adopted the Creative Curriculum which is aligned to the Illinois Standards and outlines specific learning targets for three and four year old children. Concepts and skills related to language arts, math, science, physical growth, health and social-emotional milestones are developed through instructional units. Children will acquire these skills through a balance of teacher-directed and child-initiated learning opportunities. Children are taught in small group, large group and individualized settings which promote independence, problem solving, cooperative learning and self-confidence.
Progress through the curriculum is monitored in order to ensure that all children are learning and acquiring skills/concepts being taught. A checklist from the Creative Curriculum is used to gauge each child's progress. Information from the checklists is reviewed by staff and used to guide instructional planning within the classroom.