A Note from the Director of Early Childhood
I want to take this time to thank everyone from the district and community for the wonderful welcome! I have had a great time meeting everyone and working to grow our preschool program. As a department, we are getting so many things accomplished thanks to the wonderful collaboration and partnerships already established here.
In an effort to keep the community informed, our office will be posting a monthly newsletter. We hope to use this forum to share information about the program, including but not limited to, curriculum, assessment, registration, classroom highlights, and upcoming events. We hope you enjoy our first of many newsletters. Please feel free to contact me with things you would like to see addressed in the newsletters.
I appreciate this opportunity and look forward to supporting the district and our families as we grow the Ridgefield Park Preschool Program!
Deanne Guastello
Our Preschool Instructional Coach and Intervention and Referral Specialist
My name is Anna Mattesich and I joined the Ridgefield Park Preschool team in December 2023. My profession in Early Childhood began almost 20 years ago. I received my Bachelors Degree from Rutgers University and I will earn my Masters Degree in Special Education and Supervision Certificate from William Paterson University this summer. I am a certified Preschool to Grade 3 teacher, and hold certifications in English as a Second Language and Teacher of Students with Disabilities.
My role as a Preschool Instructional Coach (PIC) is to ensure and maintain high-quality preschool practices by employing observation tools and assessments and coaching on high-level curriculum implementation. My role as a Preschool Intervention & Referral Specialist (PIRS) is to coach positive behavior supports and provide interventions for academic, behavioral, and social-emotional growth. I love the excitement of working with young children and I am passionate about the importance of early childhood education. I look forward to building strong partnerships in this kind and caring community and being an integral part of growing a high-quality preschool program in Ridgefield Park.
The Ridgefield Park Preschool Program follows the guidelines of the New Jersey Department of Education Office of Early Childhood. Our teaching and learning is aligned with the Preschool Teaching and Learning Standards and Preschool Implementation Guidelines. Our teachers use the Creative Curriculum for Preschool which is a comprehensive, research-based curriculum that features exploration and discovery as a way of learning. This and more content will be shared at the orientation session. You can also read more about our program on the district website here.
Come join us for a virtual lunch and learn where we will share everything you need to know about the Ridgefield Park Preschool Program. As registration is open, we want to provide an opportunity where parents can learn about the preschool day, curriculum, assessment, and get any questions answered! If you cannot make the event, a recorded version will be available on the website following the session.
Date: May 15
Time: 11:30 am
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/qsq-bayx-tny
Or dial: (US) +1 443-499-6176 PIN: 746 805 452#
The Early Childhood Department is seeking interested families and community members to join the Ridgefield Park-Early Childhood Advisory Council (RP-ECAC). The RP-ECAC provides an opportunity for community stakeholders to develop, assess, and review the needs of the residents of Ridgefield Park. If you are interested in learning more, please read through the information page and join us for our first virtual meeting (no commitment required).
RP-ECAC Meeting
Wednesday, May 22 · 11:30am – 12:30pm
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/ywx-aojs-hge
Or dial: (US) +1 262-546-6204 PIN: 964 747 512#
If you would like to visit the Ridgefield Co-op Nursery School or Little Stars, please contact the directors using the following information: