Communications Focus

Frankie Lemmon School is unique in its focus on communication skills and personal independence. It has developed a “Whole Language” teaching program that utilizes a combination of verbalizations, signs, pictures, symbols, and voice output devices. In fact, the school was a leader in the area in adoption of sign language which enhances children’s ability to communicate while developing verbal skills. The school’s curriculum is designed to meet a wide range of needs including developmental delays, language impairments, learning disabilities, sensory integration deficits, mental retardation, or mild physical impairments.

 

Individualized Programs

Prior to entering Frankie Lemmon School, an individualized education plan (IEP) is created for each child, taking into account the child’s specific learning style and other needs. Parent input, the child’s current skill level, as well as diagnostic and evaluation results are used to develop a plan that addresses specific skills to be taught and the appropriate sequences. This IEP is updated at least once a year and sometimes more often, depending on the child’s progress. A full-time speech therapist is employed by the school, music therapy is provided weekly and other therapies are provided on-site at no charge as needed by each child including occupational and physical therapy and vision and hearing services.

Contract Therapists:

Eliza Bankert, Physical Therapist – B.S. in Biology and B.S. in Physical Therapy, 30 years experience, 11 years working with Frankie Lemmon School

Vicki DeMaster, Occupational Therapist – B.S. in Occupational Therapy and M.S. in Special Education, 35+ years experience, 18 years working with Frankie Lemmon School

Paula Scicluna, Music Therapist – B.S. in Music Therapy, Advanced Fellowship in Neurologic Music Therapy Training, Master’s degree in Business Management, 24 years experience, 2 years working with Frankie Lemmon School 

Nurturing Environment

The school has separate classrooms for each age group (3 year olds, 4 year olds, and 5 year olds) and a certified teacher and full-time teacher assistant are assigned to each class. In addition, at least one part-time assistant is available to assist in each classroom as needed and further support is provided by a group of generous, caring volunteers. The child to teacher ratios at Frankie Lemmon School are typically lower than other preschools and classroom sizes are small allowing optimal focus on the needs of each child. Frankie Lemmon students also benefit from interaction with typically developing children from a neighboring school. Frankie Lemmon School provides a full day program which follows the Wake County School preschool calendar. Transportation to and from school is provided free of charge by Wake County Schools.

Itinerant Services

For preschool children who need less than a full day educational program, the school provides off-site and on-site itinerant services. These services are provided by a certified teacher and / or speech, occupational, or physical therapists. Education is provided to the child as well as consultation services to the parents and / or child care provider. For more details please contact the school.