Gretna Preschool Peer Screenings for the
2023-2024 Lottery FAQs!
Thank you for your interest in becoming a peer model in Gretna’s Special Education Preschool Program!
What is Gretna’s Special Education Preschool?: Gretna Public Schools currently has 6 Three-Year-Old (3 on or before 7-31-23) and 12 Four-Year-Old (4 on or before 7-31-23) half-day special education preschool classrooms. These classrooms support Gretna students with special needs through participation in general education classrooms with neighborhood peer models. Our classrooms consist of approximately 50% children with special education needs and 50% neighborhood peers.
What is the Preschool Screening?: Families who are interested in having their child attend a Gretna Preschool as a peer model need to attend one of the Preschool Peer Screenings prior to entering the Preschool Lottery.
These screenings are scheduled as follows:
Friday, January 27th from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Saturday, January 28th from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Tuesday, January 31st from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM
What will happen during the screening?: Each child wishing to participate in the 2023-2024 Preschool Lottery will be scheduled for a screening time during one of our three screening opportunities as listed above. During the screening, you and your child will be asked a series of questions related to their development using the Ages & Stages Questionnaire which looks at a child’s development across five developmental domains: Adaptive (eating, toileting, dressing); Cognitive (basic concepts and pre-academic skills); Communication (receptive and expressive); Physical (large and fine motor); and Social Emotional (managing feelings and emotions).
Children who demonstrate difficulties in these areas may be referred on for a full educational evaluation through Gretna Public Schools’ Home and Community Team in order to determine whether or not your child may qualify for preschool as a child with special education needs as opposed to entering the lottery as a neighborhood peer.
Gretna Peer Preschool Lottery: Once a child has completed the preschool screening process, their family will be given a link to the Gretna Peer Preschool Registration Form where the family can register for the lottery which will be held at the end of March 2023. A $40 deposit will be required during the month of March 2023 in order to finalize each child’s participation in the lottery process. For more information on the Preschool Lottery process, please click here.
What if we are unable to attend one of the screenings?: If you and your child are unable to attend one of the January screenings, another screening will be held at the end of May / early June for those who were unable to attend the January screenings and to accommodate those who move into the district after January. Please note that preschool class lists will be generated during the Preschool Lottery at the end of March and availability of preschool peer slots will be limited for those waiting for the May/June screenings.
What times do the preschools operate?: While specific times vary by building, Gretna preschools operate half-days (morning or afternoon) for 3.25 hours a day, Monday through Thursday, during the school year and follow the district calendar. During the 2022-2023 school year the start time for most preschools is: 7:45-11:00 for AM and 11:40-2:55 for PM; however, two buildings run from 8:00-11:15 for AM and 11:55-3:10 for PM
Which elementary school buildings have preschool programs?: During the 2022-2023 school year, Gretna Public Schools has the following classrooms, but this may be subject to change for the 2023-2024 school year:
Aspen Creek Elementary: AM 3’s / PM 4’s
Falling Waters Elementary: AM 3’s / PM 4’s
Gretna Elementary: AM & PM 3’s / AM & PM 4’s
Harvest Hills Elementary: AM & PM 3’s / AM & PM 4’s
Palisades Elementary: AM 4’s / PM 4’s
Squire John Thomas Elementary: AM 4’s / PM 4’s
Whitetail Creek Elementary: AM 4’s / PM 4’s
Is preschool free?: No, attendance at Gretna’s Preschool Program is not free, but we do provide preschool at a lower rate because we appreciate families attending our preschools as neighborhood peer models. Preschool cost is $175 a month to help cover the cost of snacks and materials and is payable by check or online during the months of September through May with August being ‘free’ for everyone.
Is transportation provided for neighborhood peer models?: Unfortunately, no, we do not have the ability to transport neighborhood peer models to and from preschool. Transportation to and from preschool is the family’s responsibility.
Additional Questions?: We hope we were able to answer most of your questions regarding the Gretna Public Schools Preschool screening process and that you are interested in having your child attend one of our preschools as a neighborhood peer! However, if you have any additional questions, please feel free to reach out to us at 402-332-5814 and we will be happy to assist you!