Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)

Ages Birth-2 Early Childhood Special Education

Rita Southerton - ECSE Teacher 218-237-6547
Ann Johnson - Occupational Therapist  218-237-6548
Allie Steffen - Speech Language Pathologist  218-237-6551

Ages 3-5 Early Childhood Special Education

Carolyn Melchert - ECSE Teacher 218-237-6585
Addy Upton - ECSE Teacher 218-237-6583
Allie Steffen - Speech Pathologist  218-237-6551
Ann Johnson - Occupational Therapist 218-237-6548
Kristina Lindgren - Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant 218-238-6345
Kim Konerza - Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing 218-237-6545
Sue Cutler - School Psychologist 218-237-6268
Shalom Grandy - Physical & Health Impaired 218-237-6543
Steven Ware - Autism Spectrum Disorder Specialist 218-237-6542
Carrie Wittenberg - Blind Visually Impaired Specialist  218-237-6246

Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE)

Screening

Screening is a brief, simple procedure used to identify potential health or developmental problems in infants and young children who may need a health assessment, diagnostic assessment or educational evaluation. Screening in early childhood supports children's readiness for kindergarten and promotes health and development. Screening includes vision and hearing, height and weight, immunization review, large and small muscles, thinking, language and communication skills, as well as social and emotional development.

This health and developmental screening meets the State of Minnesota requirement for children 3 to 5 years of age, and is required in order to attend Kindergarten. Screenings for the Park Rapids Area School District is provided through the Community Education office and Early Childhood Family Education. This service is free of charge and takes approximately one hour to complete. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call Michelle at 218-237-6600.

Next Screening Dates:  April 21st, 2023

Parent screening information video:   http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/Video/?group=Communications&id=MDE059367 

https://www.parkrapidscomed.com/insight/registry/catalog.asp

Or Call the community Ed office - 218-237-6600

Preschool for Ages 3 & 4 

**Registration for the 2023-2024 school year will take place at Century School on Tuesday March 7th, 2023 from 7:30-9:00am for School Readiness (3 year old program). VPK (4 year old program) paperwork can be turned in anytime starting March 7th.  Paperwork will not be accepted before March 7th. Registration forms can be found below for either the 3 year old program or 4 year old program or can be picked up in the Elementary school office.  

See the information below if you need further assistance. 

School Readiness - 

School Readiness is a public school program for children age 3. Student must be 3 years old before September 1st of the upcoming school year.  The purpose of the program is to prepare children to enter kindergarten.

Ronda DeWulf – School Readiness Teacher  218-237-6630

Age 3 (School Readiness) – classes are Mondays/Wednesdays (not Tuesday & Thursday) from 8-11 or 12-3. Busing is not available for this Program. Fee-based programming, sliding fees and scholarships are available. 

Call Community Education to enroll -  218-237-6600  

School Readiness Registration Form

Once your student has been placed in a classroom the following forms will need to be filled out before starting school in the fall. 

Immunization Form  

Fillable Immunization Form

Consent Form

Fillable Consent Form

 ***Once completed, please email to Michelle Piepkorn in the Community Education Office at mpiepkorn@parkrapids.k12.mn.us or send by mail to Community Education at 401 Huntsinger Ave. Park Rapids, MN 56470 or Fax to 218-237-6519 or drop off at the Community Education office. 

School Readiness Supply List   

Voluntary PreKindergarten - 

Voluntary prekindergarten (VPK) is a publicly funded prekindergarten program that prepares children for success as they enter kindergarten the following year. The funding allows school districts and charter schools with Minnesota Department of Education-recognized early learning programs, to incorporate a VPK program into their E-12 system as a new grade level. Voluntary Prekindergarten is a program for children age 4. Students must be 4 years old before September 1st of the upcoming school year. 

Teachers Include -

Lacy Johansen – Voluntary PreK Teacher  218-237-6216
Dawn Leeseberg –Voluntary PreK Teacher  218-237-6204

Age 4 (Voluntary Prekindergarten) - Classes offered Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday all day. We serve breakfast and lunch for students. Busing is  available for VPK students.

VPK Enrollment Form

Once your student has been placed in a classroom, the following forms will need to be filled out before starting school in the fall. 

Immunization Form  

Fillable Immunization Form

Transportation Form

Consent Form

Fillable Consent Form

 ***Once completed, please email to Angela Larson in the Century Elementary School Office at alarson@parkrapids.k12.mn.us or send by mail to Century Elementary School at 501 Helten Ave. Park Rapids, MN 56470 or Fax to 218-237-6219 or drop off at the Century Elementary School office. 

Headstart - 
Hubbard County Headstart: 218-732-7204
proffice@mahube.org

Age 4s: 4 Full-Days per week
Age 3-5s: 4 Half-Days per week

Income guidelines
Busing and meals provided

Parent-Child Options