Third Street Pre-K Center is Pitt County’s most unique school. The building is a historic site and a former elementary school. The school is a very special place for young children and their families.

 

In 1990, Third Street School began serving preschoolers using federal (Title 1) funding. Soon afterwards, preschool classes for children identified for special education services were added. As time went on, Third Street Center started serving young children with autism and other significant communication disorders. In 2002, Pitt County began identifying and serving children through Governor Easley’s More at Four Program for at-risk four year olds.

History of Services

OASIS Program

Three of the classrooms are OASIS classrooms. OASIS stands for services young children with autism and other significant communication disorders receive in these classrooms; Oral Communication, Artistic Expression, Social Interaction, Individualized Instruction, and Sensory Exploration.

 

 

Current Services

Parents are the child’s first and most important teachers. Third Street Pre-K Center recognizes this and makes every effort to develop a partnership with each child’s family. The Center offers opportunities for family members to come into the classrooms and participate in learning activities with students. Teachers often send home materials for students and parents to work on projects together. These are often displayed on hallway bulletin boards.

 

Parenting Specialists provide outreach sessions for parents of preschoolers as well as older students. LEARN AND PLAY Groups are held weekly for three and four year olds and their family members at various locations in Pitt County. Parents interested in participating in LEARN AND PLAY Groups should call Pat Hamby at 252-752-3227.

 

The staff at Third Street Center provides many special events each year for families of the students who attend school here. Each December parents come in the first Saturday of the month to make gingerbread houses with their children. The end of the year always brings a special celebration of some sort where parents and other family members are invited to the school for the morning.

At this time Third Street Pre-K center has 8 preschool classrooms.

 

CUBS Program

Five of the classrooms are CUBS classrooms. The acronym stands for Creating Unlimited Beginning Students. CUBS classrooms are inclusive classrooms serving typical, as well as exceptional children. These classes are funded by Exceptional Children’s funds, Title 1 funds, and More at Four funds.    The classrooms have 2-3 special needs students and 12-14 typical children who need education services to be strong kindergarten students.

 

CUBS uses the High/Scope curriculum, which has a strong research base for providing effective preschool education. The teachers use classic children’s literature to springboard into other classroom activities.

Other Services

The mobile unit on campus is used for speech therapy sessions and is where preschoolers are evaluated for special education services. Children who are recommended by health professionals or parents are scheduled for assessments to determine if they meet the criteria for exceptional children’s services.

 

The annex hosts an English as a Second Language (ESL) class one day per week for elementary students. The ESL Program, the Migrant Education Program and the Title 1 Program all have offices in the annex. section of the building. The More at Four and Title 1 Pre-K and Parenting Programs also operate from the annex.