PANDA FAQs
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What is PANDA?
A preschool program designed to meet the diverse needs of students between the ages of 3-5 years of age as they participate in a holistic approach to a play-based classroom environment.
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What does PANDA stand for?
Preschool Assessed Needs in Developmental Areas
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All I see you do is play? Do you have a curriculum?
Yes, we use Scholastic - PreK On My Way. Through play, we teach the prerequisite skills needed for the children to be successful in kindergarten. These skills are reinforced and worked on through large group, small group and individual work time.
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How do you find children for PANDA?
Through Child Find and Arizona Early Intervention.
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What to do if a parent is concerned about their preschooler's development?
Have the parents contact me, Bronwyn Milhaven Maxwell, at bmilhavenmaxwell@susd.org 480-484-5040 or Jill Quade at jquade@susd.org 480-484-6202
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What is the process?
- I ask for the following information:
- Families address- Have to live in the district to receive early intervention services.
- Child’s birthday- Child has to be at least 2 years 10 months to screen and 5 after Aug 31.
- Once information has been verified a screening is scheduled.
- Once the screening is conducted and the screening team determines additional information is needed the family is given step-by-step directions on how to register.
Parents must provide the following documentation for registration:
- A certified copy of the pupil’s birth certificate; an affidavit explaining the inability to provide a copy of the birth certificate. (A.R.S. §15-828)
- Current immunization records
- Proof of residency (see Arizona Department of Education Arizona Residency Documentation or Affidavit of Shared Residence forms)- Verify residence within our district boundaries
- Parent/Guardian identification
- Withdraw form (If previously enrolled in an Arizona school)
- Guardianship/Custody documentation (if applicable)
- Once registered, an evaluation will be scheduled with our evaluation team. An evaluation cannot be scheduled until registration is complete.
- Upon completion of the evaluation, the team will determine if the child is eligible for services and an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) will be developed and services will be proposed.
- I ask for the following information:
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Children that only have speech concerns, where do they go?
We have two sites that service those children - Hohokam & Copper Ridge.
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Where will the screenings and evaluation take place next year?
Mohave District Annex (MDA)
8500 E. Jackrabbit Rd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85250 -
Can PANDA students also attend Title 1 and Community Ed Preschools?
Yes!
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Peer Models, what is this?
- Peer Models are typically developing children.
- There are a limited number of typical spaces available.
- All peer models must be at least 3 years old, not yet kindergarten age and toilet trained.
- They pay a small fee of $200 each month.
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Do children pay for PANDA Special Education Services?
No. Special education services are free for those who qualify.
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How many children can you have in PANDA?
PANDA can have up to 15 children, a nice mixture of children with IEPs & those that are peers.
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What happens when a PANDA class gets full?
They are placed at the next closest PANDA program to their home.
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What are PANDA hours and days?
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. No children on Wednesdays.
AM Session 8:30 am - 11:30 am
PM Session 12:15 pm - 3:15 pm
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Which schools will have a PANDA Program for the 2024-25 school year?
- Tavan (2 Programs - PANDA and PANDA STAIRS - Structured Teaching and Inclusive Relationships)
- Laguna
- Copper Ridge
- Sequoya (2 Programs - PANDA and PANDA STAIRS - Structured Teaching and Inclusive Relationships)
- Hohokam
- Navajo
- Yavapai
- Kiva