PRCE
900 HARRINGTON STREET SW
HUTCHINSON MN 55350
Director
320-234-5637
PRCE
900 HARRINGTON STREET SW
HUTCHINSON MN 55350
WELCOME!
Click here to view our Current Brochure with the current activities offered
Click here to access the Community Education Online Store to register for an activity
Community Education in Hutchinson provides lifelong learning experiences for people of all ages, abilities and cultures through programs and services. Classes are creatively designed… flexible, because they are built around the real needs of the people in our community!
Looking for rental space? Contact us for areas at High School, Middle School, Park Elementary, Tiger Elementary, and West Elementary.
Lynn Neumann, Director, 320-234-5637, Click Here to Email Lynn
Sharon Armstrong, Program Coordinator, 320-234-5638, Click Here to Email Sharon
Click on this link to view: District Facility Use Calendar (facility reservations)
By Mary Myers-Reinarts, Early Learning Coordinator
Early education is alive and strong at Hutchinson Public Schools! Offering opportunities for families with young children between the ages of birth up to kindergarten enrollment, our early learning programs are designed to recognize parents as their child’s first and foremost teacher. We are here to support you in this role. Working out of West Elementary School, our team offers several early learning programs for children and their parents.
The ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education) program offers classes for parents and children, aged birth to kindergarten enrollment. The classes provide an opportunity for parents to meet other parents with similar aged children, and take part in learning activities supported by early childhood and parent educators. Our class offerings are listed in the Hutchinson Park/Recreation/Community Education brochure, or online at www.hutchinsonprce.com. Limited classes for summer 2024 will be offered, with full offerings available fall 2024. Join us for fun and learning!
Early Childhood Screening also takes place at West Elementary School. It is a free check of how your three- or four-year-old child is growing, developing, and learning. We encourage parents to register their child soon after the child’s third birthday. For more information, call us at 320-234-2624 or visit our website at www.isd423.org to schedule an appointment.
Early intervention makes a difference. Our Early Intervention team works closely with families. While every child is unique, children generally develop in certain predictable ways. If you are concerned about your child’s development, growth or learning, contact your healthcare provider, your school district, or Help Me Grow at HelpMeGrowMN.org or 1-866-693-4769. Early Intervention can have a significant impact on a child’s ability to learn new skills, meet challenges, and can increase success in daily life and later in school.
Play and Learn Preschool is also found in West Elementary School. Designed for children who are three- or four-years-old as of September 1st of each school year, Play and Learn is a structured, supportive preschool setting where children can participate in a variety of activities appropriate to their developmental level. We work to promote children’s communication and language skills, build social skills, develop gross and fine motor skills, increase general knowledge, nurture creativity, teach pre-academics, foster kindergarten readiness, and offer parent involvement opportunities. Play and Learn Preschool is an inclusive program which integrates children with special needs. Tuition assistance and limited school transportation may be available to your family.
Call 320-234-2624 for more information.
Our preschool STAR program is a classroom-based special education program for preschool age children. The STAR program allows teachers to create individualized routines for every student. The program philosophy is to provide a structured, supportive setting where children can participate in a variety of activities appropriate for their developmental level. All children benefit from the services of licensed professionals and educational assistants.
Please contact Mary Myers-Reinarts at 320-234-2624 for more information about any of our programs. Early learning programs make a big difference in the lives of young children, paving the way for future school and life success. We strive to support parents as the voice and most important advocate for their young child. Consider participating in one of our early learning programs. We are so excited to help you and your child learn and grow!
By Karen Lerfald, Director of Special Services
I have been fortunate enough to oversee the Special Education Department in the Hutchinson Public Schools for the past four years. As the Director of Special Services, I work with staff who are supporting children with disabilities from birth to age 22. Hutchinson is fortunate to have so many talented special education teachers and paraprofessionals who work with the varying needs of our students with disabilities.
As a parent you may wonder what is special education. Special Education is not a one size fits all approach. The core of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), our nation’s special education law, is to provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) to students with disabilities in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). The LRE refers to students with disabilities being educated with their peers in the general education classroom as much as possible.
If you have concerns about how your child is achieving in school, there are many options to try before jumping into a special education evaluation. Hutchinson has a number of academic and behavior interventions, which can be tried before a special education evaluation. If you have a concern, and your child is in grades K-12, reach out to your child’s teacher, counselor, or principal. If you have a child or have observed a child ages birth-5, who you feel is struggling, you can make a referral to Help Me Grow, https://helpmegrowmn.org/HMG/Refer/index.html. Help Me Grow will immediately send a referral to the child’s resident district.
Once school staff is aware of a concern, they will set up a meeting with the school intervention team to discuss pre-referral interventions. Pre-referral interventions happen prior to the start of a special education evaluation. If the child is able to demonstrate appropriate growth with these pre-referral interventions, the school assessment team does not need to move forward with a referral to a special education evaluation. Otherwise the team, including the parent(s)/ guardian(s), come together to discuss an Evaluation Plan. The Evaluation plan will list the assessments that will be conducted to determine if your child is eligible for special education services. It is important to note that the assessment team cannot move forward with an initial assessment without parental consent.
Once the parent signs the Evaluation Plan, the assessment team can meet with the student and test. Paperwork will also be sent to the family to complete. The input of parents and guardians is essential to obtain well-rounded information on the child. The birth to 3 team needs to complete the evaluation in 45 calendar days, and the K-12 team has 30 school days to complete the assessment.
If your child is found eligible for special education services, parents will be asked to participate in an Individualized Education Program meeting (IEP). The team will consist of the student (when appropriate), parents, a special education and regular education teacher, a district or building administrator, and related service providers. The team will create an IEP that will be in effect for one calendar year. The IEP includes the child’s present levels, goals and objectives, the least restrictive environment statement, as well as other important information for the IEP team. The team meets annually to review progress and update the IEP. The evaluation needs to be completed every 3 years.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have concerns regarding your child. Staff are interested in helping your child be successful at school, home, and in the community.
By Dolf Moon, Director, PRCE
During this unprecedented time, we are working hard to put together a program that can meet community needs when the stay at home order is lifted. We are preparing to promote our summer offerings online in early May. Our plan is to allow registration for summer programs without initially requiring a fee. When a camp, program or activity will occur your payment will be accepted.
We encourage you to check out our parks and trail information at www.ci.hutchinson.mn.us. With over 25 miles of public trails running, walking, and biking are great ways to get out and enjoy the community. You may want to check out the Oak Savanna located in Miller Woods, the Rollie Johnson Ecology Site or try geocaching. Please keep in mind trail etiquette and social distancing while enjoying school grounds, parks and trails.
The PRCE Department offers a wide variety of educational and recreational opportunities to district residents. If you have an interest and do not see a program that meets your needs, let us know. We will try to arrange a program. If you have a skill you would like to share with others, give us a call. We are currently putting together the fall/winter brochure.
PRCE reaches out to the entire community whether you are a parent with a preschool child (Early Childhood Family Education), a student taking a program after school, participating in Middle School athletics, an adult in a class or league, a senior citizen dropping by our center there’s something for all ages. PRCE also provides Adult Basic Education opportunities. Whether you dropped out of high school, are looking for a new job or trying to receive your GED, we can help. If you are looking to use a facility, a park shelter or a ball field, we can help.
Parks, Recreation and Community Education understand that “community” extends from neighborhoods to the world. We are flexible enough to meet the needs of a fast-changing society. We can extend the reach of education and bring people together for a common purpose. We like getting people involved in our schools. We can become partners in addressing community needs. We do this by offering a scope of activities and services that evolve with new generations of people and technologies, making the community a learning center open for people of all ages.
Parks, Recreation and Community Education reaches out to be inclusive. Every day it proves that the community and our schools, working together, can be greater than the sum of their individual parts. Stay well.
November 14 – 18 will mark the 95th annual observation of American Education Week. The AEW tagline, “Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility,” highlights the importance of bringing together educators, parents, students and communities in a unified effort to build great public schools.
Today’s teachers, education support professionals and substitute teachers do more than teach basic skills. They nurture and inspire children despite obstacles. They help students learn essential skills not always measured in testing, such as critical thinking, conflict resolution, cooperation and problem solving, which helps students throughout their lives. These people are valuable assets to our schools and community.
I invite you to visit our schools to see amazing educators and students in action and learn how you can become more involved. Ask how you can contribute to a child’s success. We’ll be glad to speak with you and find opportunities for your involvement.
We are proud to make a difference in the lives of your children by being an essential partner in their education. Let’s take time to celebrate all of our work on their behalf.
Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) is the Hutchinson Public Schools program that provides early intervention to young children, age birth to kindergarten, who show developmental delay in the general areas of:
After a child receives a formal evaluation to identify specific needs, trained ECSE teachers and specialists will work with the parents and child to meet developmental and educational goals. From birth to age three, these Special Education services are delivered to the child primarily in his or her home or place of childcare. From age three to Kindergarten, children receive these services in the preschool setting. Hutchinson’s Play and Learn Preschool is one location where children may receive services.
The ECSE process guarantees parental involvement every step of the way. From birth to age three, a child’s education is outlined in the “Individual Family Service Plan,” or IFSP. After that, the child’s educational goals and objectives are spelled out in his or her “Individual Education Program,” or IEP. Parents are a key team member in putting together the IFSP and IEP.
The ECSE staff supports children and their families by:
Parents have the right to request an educational evaluation if they have concerns about or suspect delays in their child’s development. This evaluation will be done at no cost to the family and is provided through the school district.
The purpose of an evaluation in early childhood is to determine a child’s developmental strengths and needs and to determine if a child is eligible for Special Education services through the ECSE program. Minnesota law provides a variety of ways that a child can qualify for Special Education services based on health/medical, hearing, vision, or developmental status. In early childhood, typically a child needs to exhibit a significant difference in his/her development when compared to same age peers in order to qualify for special education services through the school district. Children under the age of three may also qualify for services because they have been identified as having a diagnosed physical or mental condition or disorder that has a high probability of resulting in developmental delay regardless of whether they have a demonstrated need or delay. If a child qualifies for service he/she would receive special education services at no cost to the family.
Children develop in certain predictable ways, referred to as developmental milestones. Milestones cover four areas of a child’s development — cognitive, communication and language, social and emotional, and motor. Learning more about these milestones will help you understand how your child learns and grows. Visit Help Me Grow for further information about developmental milestones.
If you have concerns about your child’s development or if your child was born with a significant medical condition you can make a referral. For children age birth up to kindergarten entry, complete the referral form and return it to Sara Johnson or Ally Kurth at 875 School Road SW, Hutchinson, MN 55350 or via fax at 320-587-0735. You may also make a referral online through the MN State referral website, Help Me Grow.
If you have any further questions about requesting a referral, you may call Sara Johnson for children birth to age three at 320-234-2619, or Ally Kurth for children ages three to five at 320-234-2717. You may also call the Early Childhood Special Education Department at 320-587-4470. For any correspondence or document drop off, the Early Childhood Special Education offices are located at 875 School Road SW, Hutchinson, MN 55350.
In order to get a good picture of the whole child, Minnesota requires that all areas of the child’s development be addressed. A team of ECSE professionals typically completes an initial evaluation. The child will be seen more than once and, when appropriate, in their natural home or early childhood setting. An evaluation team may consist of an ECSE teacher, speech/language pathologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, school nurse, and other specialists as needed. All of these people are trained to work with very young children and their families.
If the child is under age three, the evaluation will begin with an ECSE team member. Visiting with you and your child, they will screen all areas of development and will gather a developmental and health history. If the primary concerns are in communication the screening may also include a Speech-Language Pathologist. This team will determine if the school district should complete a formal evaluation. If this team decides to go ahead with an evaluation, an Evaluation Plan is written. Once parental permission is received, the evaluation must be completed within 45 days of referral. Please see the Parental Safeguards for Infant and Toddlers Part C. Every effort is made to meet Federal law mandating completion of evaluation and meeting with the family within 45 days of referral.
If a child is age three or older, an ECSE staff member is assigned to be the evaluation case manager and primary contact for the family. This person contacts the family about developing an Evaluation Plan. The plan is developed with the parents either at a meeting with representatives of the evaluation team or, if parents prefer, over the telephone with the case manager. Please see the Parental Safeguards for Children 3-18 Part B. Once written permission is received from the parent(s) the evaluation must be completed within 30 school days.
The evaluation team will play and interact with the child. This is the “informal” or observational part of the evaluation. The team gets a lot of information about children by watching them in their natural setting. Under the age of three this is most often in the home or child care setting; over the age of three this could be at home, childcare or in a preschool setting.
Formal testing using standardized test is often used to gather information about a child’s present level of development as compared to children of a similar age. The child will be asked to play or interact with materials in a certain way. Some of the tasks are easy and others are more difficult. Because of the nature of standardized tests, a child is not expected to do or understand every item that is presented. Team members may need more than one session to complete their portion of the evaluation, and sometimes two team members will work together.
Parents are encouraged to observe during an evaluation if they wish. Parent interviews and checklists are also a critical part of the evaluation. Childcare providers, preschool teachers, and other significant adults in a child’s life may be included. The evaluation team will ask parents about their child and his/her likes/dislikes and routine. In addition, parents will be asked about their concerns, questions, and anything else they would like to share about their child. Parents’ information is very important in the evaluation process and will be included in the evaluation report. Parents know their child best!
For children under the age of three, evaluations take place in the child’s home or childcare setting. In most instances, children three years and older may be brought to a school setting for some of the evaluation, but will have an observation in a natural setting such as home, preschool or child care.
Results of the evaluation are compiled by the evaluation team and shared at a parent conference. The team will ask for any updates or new information from parents, and then share the results of the evaluation. Parents are encouraged to ask questions and let the team know whether the results are similar to what they see on a day-to-day basis. The ECSE team will refer to the results of the evaluation to determine eligibility, the child’s current level of development and possible services required.
The evaluation will tell whether or not the child meets one or more of Minnesota’s eligibility criteria for Special Education services. At the evaluation conference, the team and parents will determine whether the child meets these criteria and demonstrates a need for these services. If the child is eligible, options for service delivery will also be discussed. When a decision is reached to provide special education services an IFSP (Individual Family Service Plan) or an IEP (Individual Education Program) is written. Parents participate in the discussion about the type of services that would best meet the child’s needs or to decline services.
If the child has not shown delays in development or if the delays are minimal and if the child does not qualify in other ways, the team offers suggestions and recommendations regarding ways parents can continue to enhance their child’s development. These may include resources in the community such as Early Childhood Family Education, preschools, recreation activities, etc. Parents are encouraged to contact the ECSE staff if concerns arise in the future.
An educational evaluation with children in the birth to kindergarten age range provides a “snapshot” of a child’s development at the present time only. It is not a predictor of the future. Special Education services can be provided as long as a child qualifies for them. For some children, services may be short term (one year or less), while others will need some support throughout their preschool and school age years.
For ALL families with children ages birth to kindergarten.
Contact Information
Mary Myers-Reinarts
(320) 234-2624
[email protected]
(offerings start on page 8)
Get out, get active, and enjoy Hutchinson this summer!
By Lynn Neumann, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Education
It’s no secret that children today spend more time inside than ever before. Between screen time and sedentary activities, it can be challenging to encourage children to get outside and be active. However, research has shown that spending time outside and being active has numerous benefits for children’s physical and mental health.
One of the primary benefits of being active outdoors is the positive impact it has on a child’s physical health. Regular physical activity can help to reduce the risk of childhood obesity, strengthen their bones and muscles, and improve their overall health and fitness levels. Outdoor activities can also enhance children’s motor skills, coordination, and balance, all of which are essential for healthy physical development.
Spending time in nature has also been shown to have significant mental health benefits for children. Being outdoors and surrounded by green spaces can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It can also improve their mood, boost their self-esteem, and increase their creativity and imagination. Encouraging kids to spend time outside and be active can also help to foster their social skills and build their confidence.
Encouraging children to spend time outside and be active doesn’t have to be difficult or complicated. Simple activities like going for a bike ride, playing in the park, hiking, or even having a picnic in a park can be great ways to get children moving and enjoying the outdoors. Hutchinson has 41 city parks that offer a variety of amenities and a vast trails system for everyone to enjoy!
There are also plenty of organized outdoor activities, such as sports teams or outdoor camps, that can help kids build their confidence and social skills while being active. PRCE Summer activity registration is currently open. To register, visit us online at www.hutchinsonprce.com, call the PRCE office at 320-587-2975 or stop in at the Recreation Center office. Please note that PRCE did implement a new registration system. Participants may need to create a new login to register for programs and facilities. Our goal is for everyone to have a summer filled with fun and safe programs and activities!
By encouraging kids to spend time in nature and participate in outdoor recreational activities, we can help them to develop healthy habits, build their self-esteem and social skills, and enhance their overall well-being. Let’s prioritize our children’s physical and mental health by getting them outside, being active, and enjoying the beautiful world around us. Hutchinson PRCE is dedicated to ensuring that every child has an opportunity to experience outstanding recreational activities and programs that enhance our quality of life by helping us stay healthy and fit, build relationships with family and friends, and develop a sense of community pride.
Get out, get active, and enjoy Hutchinson this summer!
By Lynn Neumann, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Education
Hutchinson Parks, Recreation, and Community Education (PRCE) offers an extensive network of community and neighborhood parks, natural areas and open spaces, pathways and trails, recreational and educational facilities, and year-round appeal. PRCE staff are truly dedicated to meeting the needs of all the Hutchinson city and district residents.
Hutchinson PRCE offers a little bit of something for everyone; we really are a “one stop shop” for all your recreational and educational opportunities. Take a bike ride along the Luce Line Trail, play pickleball inside or outside, join a softball team, take a class through ECFE, Community Education or Adult Basic Education, go camping along the river or host an event at the historic Hutchinson Depot. This summer we encourage everyone to get outside and check out all of Hutchinson’s 41 parks.
Summer is rapidly approaching, check out our PRCE summer brochure for all your summer information and activities. Summer activity registration is currently open. To register, visit us online at www.hutchinsonprce.com, call the PRCE office at 320-587-2975 or stop in at the Recreation Center office. Please note that PRCE did implement a new registration system, participants may need to create a new login to register for programs and facilities. Our goal is for everyone to have a summer filled with fun and safe programs and activities!
Hutchinson PRCE offers 15 park shelters throughout the city available for public rentals on a daily basis. Masonic West River Campground opens Friday, May 6th for the 2022 camping season. The Hutchinson Aquatic Center opens for the season on Wednesday, June 1st. Starting May 1st, Aquatic Center season passes will be available for purchase at the PRCE office. Keep an eye on our website and Facebook page for updates on summer programs and activities. Hutchinson PRCE is now on Instagram; please follow us to learn more about what Hutchinson Parks, Recreation and Community Education all has to offer!
Parks, Recreation, and Community Education are essential to the physical, economic, environmental, and social health of our city and residents. In today’s hectic world, it’s easy to forget that taking time to enjoy each day is so important to our health and well-being. Hutchinson PRCE is dedicated to ensuring that every resident has an opportunity to experience outstanding recreational activities and park facilities that enhance our quality of life by helping us stay healthy and fit, build relationships with family and friends, and develop a sense of community pride.
Hutchinson Parks, Recreation, and Community Education strives to be inclusive for the entire community. If you have an interest and do not see a program that fits your needs, let us know. If you have a special talent or skill, you would like to share with others, please give us a call and we will work together to offer something new and exciting for our users.
Get out, get active and enjoy Hutchinson this summer!