Bristol Peer Model Program
Bristol’s Peer Model program is designed for children with disabilities to learn from and form relationships with their peers. Our program takes place Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:00 until 11:00. The classroom consists of three-year-old students identified with special needs, and up to five of their typically developing peers. The classroom is led by a dually certified Special Education Teacher and supported by a Special Education Classroom Assistant, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, and Speech and Language Therapist. The Peer Model program is a free program. Parents are required to provide transportation to/from the program.
*NOTE: Peer Model programming may be discontinued during a school year due to a limited number of students with Special Education Needs. Bristol School District is not required to offer programming for all 3-year-old children. We cannot guarantee that the classroom will remain open throughout the school year.
What is a Peer Model?
A peer model is a child without a disability who demonstrates typical development in all areas and displays appropriate behavior in the classroom setting. A peer model enhances the educational experience of a special needs student by being a leader, a helper and a friend. Peer models help special needs students reach their goals in the areas of play and social interaction, and can model appropriate school behaviors such as sharing, turn taking, participation and self-advocacy. Our peer models are also learning! They will grow in their confidence, empathy and their school readiness skills.
What is expected of a Peer Model?
They must be able to take care of all their toileting needs and be mostly independent in their daily living, dressing, and feeding skills. They must speak fluent English and be able to use their verbal communication skills to effectively communicate their wants and needs. Peer Models must:
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Live within the Bristol School District boundaries
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Be fully toilet trained
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Demonstrate age-appropriate self-help and social skills (e.g. drinks from an open cup, willing to initiate play with other children, able to follow directions with minimal prompting)
A child is accepted as Peer Model on a conditional basis. Students must attend the program three days per week (unless ill or on vacation) and must model age-appropriate behavior to remain in the program. Inappropriate behavior, such as bullying, aggression, destruction of property will not be tolerated. Peer models must be toilet trained and remain toilet trained for the duration of the school year.
Peer Model Age Eligibility
Children wishing to be a Peer Model must turn three years old by May 1st 2020 and cannot turn 4 prior to September 1st of the 2020-2021 school year.
Peer Model Screening Procedure
All parents must complete an application and necessary screening forms and must be interviewed by the screening team prior to acceptance. To be considered as a Peer Model the student must participate in a developmental screening held at Bristol School. The screening will examine skills and abilities in the following domains: Language, Motor, Concepts, Social/Emotional, and Self-Help. Behavior during free play will also be observed.
To complete the Peer Model application, click HERE.
To view the Early Childhood/Peer Model Program Handbook, please click HERE.
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