By Brittany Whitley

Published: March 12, 2008

“Helping Auburn Preschoolers - Intervening Early” or the H.A.P.I.E. program is accepting applications for the 2008-2009 school year.

The program offers four classes of 10 students. In each class, five students are special education and five are peer models, or students without disabilities.

There are two classes that last half a day at the Auburn Early Education Center. The classes are from 7:45 to 10:15 a.m. or 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

The classes at the Auburn Early Education Center are for students with disabilities such as delayed language development or physical disabilities.

Two other full day classes at Auburn University are held for students with disabilities such as autism.

The classes at Auburn last from 7:45 a.m. until 3 p.m. and run five days a week instead of four.

The classes are for students 3 to 5 years old.

The program will take applications until all the classes are full.

“It is a first come, first serve basis,” said Linda Rainer, public relations for Auburn City Schools.

“Kids learn the best from each other,” she said. Students can look to each other in class for examples on how to behave.

Rainer said the program is like any other nursery school, adding students will do the things they would do in a normal pre-school.

“A lot of what they (students) have is slow language development,” she said.

For students with disabilities, the program is free. For peer models, children without disabilities, there is a small fee.

“Socialization and language is the big thing,” said Nancy Golson, the special education director for Auburn City Schools.

Learning how to share, take turns and collaborative play are wonderful things, she said.

All teachers in the program are certified special education pre-school teachers.

“They are highly, highly trained and qualified,” she said.

Parents interested in enrolling their students can call 334-887-4950.

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