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    Hartselle City Schools ECLIPSE program is an inclusive preschool program for 3-year olds and 4-year olds, with and without disabilities.  The ECLIPSE program (Early Childhood Learning in a PreSchool Environment) will be housed at Crestline Elementary School for school year 2024-2025. 

    ECLIPSE is an innovative program that is offered for preschoolers who reside within Hartselle City limits. Including children without disabilities is a fundamental component, as research shows that children with disabilities gain skills faster if the skills are modeled from appropriate interactions and observations of same-age peers.  At the same time, children without disabilities learn about disabilities at a young age before they form misconceptions.

     

    Structure of the Program

    • The ECLIPSE Program is housed at Crestline Elementary School. 
    • At least 50% of the class members are typical peers (students without disabilities).

     In order to provide more specific instruction to both 3-year olds and 4-year olds with developmental delays or other special needs, the program will be divided into two daily sessions. The morning session curriculum will be geared toward meeting the skills that are developmentally appropriate for 3-year old children, while the afternoon session curriculum will focus on developmental skills for 4-year olds. 

    Enrollment

    • Children with special needs who meet the state requirements for eligibility and need a full range of services as determined by the IEP team are eligible to attend starting after their third birthday; they do not have to be three when the school year starts. They may continue to receive services until they are eligible for Kindergarten (age 5 before September 1st). Their level of participation in the ECLIPSE program will be determined by their IEP.   
    • An open enrollment period for typical peers (students without disabilities) will occur to fill class seats available, and a priority system will be used. Children of employees of Hartselle City Schools, who reside within the city limits of Hartselle, will be given first priority. Remaining spaces will be given to children who live in the Hartselle City limits, using a lottery system. A waiting list will be maintained in order to fill vacancies as they occur throughout the year. Typical peers have the opportunity to enroll in either the morning or afternoon session, or in both sessions.  

    Application Process

    • Students who enter the program as typical peers will have a one-month trial period. During this period, the developmental survey will be reviewed with regard to its accuracy. If inaccuracies are found, a child may be referred for special education testing, if appropriate, or the parents may be asked to make other arrangements for child care. 

    Registration & Tuition

    • A registration form must be completed on all students attending the ECLIPSE program.  This includes providing proof of residence, the child’s certified birth certificate, the child’s social security card, and blue immunization record.   
    • For typical peers, a $25.00, non-refundable registration fee is required for each family enrolling in the program.  Registration priority will be given to children of Hartselle City Schools employees.

    Tuition for typically developing students is $180 per month. Tuition does not include meals.

     School Day/Year 

    The ECLIPSE instructional program follows the Hartselle City School Year Calendar. For typical peers, drop off begins at 7:10am, and students are considered late at 7:40am. Pick up begins at 2:40.    

     

    ECLIPSE Natural Environment Survey