Webster Co, MO: Pre-school program sees 'increase in special-needs students'
- The end of childhood
- 6 days ago
- 1 min read
May 7, 2025, Webster County (MO) Citizen: - Focus is special needs at R-II’s elementary
Following the success of the new transitional kindergarten program at the Seymour Elementary School, another early childhood educational program is being added at the Seymour R-II School District.
This one focuses on young children with special needs.
The district’s Early Childhood Special Education Program will provide such kids an environment more suitable to their experience of the world, as well as bringing a specialized teaching expertise to the district.
“There’s been an increase in special-needs students,” said Julie Ervin, the director of Seymour’s pre-school program.
“These are kids with different abilities, who learn differently, and this will give them a smaller class size in a more-structured setting.”
In order to provide these services, a new teacher is coming to our district.
Moving from West Plains, Mary Howell-Brown will bring her experience to bear in both the new classroom, teaching the morning session and as the special-education process coordinator in the afternoon, ensuring the smooth administration of the program.
“We planned for this expansion when we established our transitional kindergarten program,” Ervin said. “So the new building had the space waiting. We are seeing more diagnoses and specific needs in our students, and we’re excited to provide these students with a specific space and teacher to meet those needs.”
She concluded, “Anyone with questions about the program or enrollment should contact the pre-school office, and we will work together with our special-education department to determine eligibility.”
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