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SOLSD has been happy to collaborate with the Ohio Valley Educational Service Center (OVESC) through our Bright Beginnings Preschool programs in each of our elementary schools. Bright Beginnings Preschool serves children between three to five years of age, typically developing and those receiving Individualized Education Programs (IEP), and aims to prepare them for Kindergarten. Currently, due to COVID-19, Bright Beginnings offers both in-person and virtual learning services. 

“Bright Beginnings Preschool uses the Creative Curriculum and the Heggerty Phonological Awareness Curriculum as the basis of our program,” explains Ms. Ann Bowen, Preschool Supervisor through OVESC. “Daily activities help children explore and learn preschool concepts such as shapes, colors, letters, and numbers. Students also get the opportunity to play with the sounds we hear in words, practice age appropriate social and self-help skills, and develop the background knowledge needed for success in Kindergarten.” 

Bright Beginnings also offers special education services for students that need extra help in a specific area. To determine if a student might need this service, children can be referred to the Preschool Supervisor for an evaluation, as required through the special education process. Services can include specialized activities provided by the speech therapist, occupational therapist, preschool itinerant teacher, and preschool nurse. 

Founded in 1990 in Guernsey County with only two teachers and twenty students, the preschool has grown to now include nineteen classrooms in eight school districts over three counties. Currently, the approximate enrollment in Bright Beginnings Preschool is at over 400 students. At SOLSD, students have access to five classrooms spread throughout the district, as well as access to the Bright Boost speech intervention program (sounds, language, and vocabulary); interventions with both occupational and physical therapists during Neuro Net and Motor Lab (small and large muscle); and height, weight, vision, and hearing screenings by the preschool nurse. 

The program at SOLSD is directed by Ms. Joy Edgell, who oversees the operations of all preschool classrooms throughout the eight district service delivery area. In addition, Ms. Diane Sullivan and Ms. Amy Bickford provide support to families with questions and/or concerns. Ms. Bowen, the Preschool Supervisor, is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the five classrooms within SOLSD, and also works closely with Head Start and St. Sylvester’s Preschool to provide special education services. 

“I truly enjoy what I do everyday,” says Ms. Bowen. “I cannot call it a job as it is more of a passion. I firmly believe all children should have access to preschool so they can be successful in Kindergarten and beyond. I am thankful to work in a school district that values preschool for being the foundation of future learning.” 

Bright Beginnings Preschool is currently accepting enrollment applications for the 2021-2022 school year. If you have any questions about preschool services or would like an application mailed to you, please call the preschool office at 740-373-6669. Bright Beginnings looks forward to speaking to you and answering any questions you may have! 

Read more about Bright Beginnings Preschool here.