Frequently Asked Questions
Is there any funding for the Diener School from MCPS or DCPS?
No, there will be no funding from either district our first year. We do have information about nonprofit organizations that give partial scholarships to families for school programs.
What are the school hours?
Kindergarten Class Hours are 8:45-2:15 daily
K/1 Class and Second-Fourth Grade Classes Hours are 8:45-2:45 daily, 8:45-2:15 Wednesdays
What will my childs daily schedule be like and how will you incorporate therapeutic services?
We have established a tentative daily schedule. Click here to view this schedule. (pdf format) Pull out for therapeutic interventions including speech, occupational and academic therapy groups will occur each morning on a rotating schedule.
What instructional/therapeutic professionals are on staff?
2 Primary School Education Teachers (Masters Degree Level Certification)
1 Full-time assistant
1 Part time occupational therapist (8-10 hours per week)
1 Part time speech pathologist (8-10 hours per week)
1 Neuro-developmental Therapist (8 hours per month)
1 Developmental Music Therapist (2 hours per week)
1 Physical Fitness Trainer (3 hours per week)
1 Art Therapist ( 1 hour per week)
1 Sports Plus Instructor (1 hour per week for fall and spring)
1 Yoga Instructor (1 hour per week for winter)
How many kids will be in each class?
We will have up to 8 kids in each class.
What reading programs will you be using?
Our staff will have knowledge about several reading programs including Read Naturally, Phonographix, Orton Gillingham, and Great Leaps. Reading instruction will be individualized and therefore a variety of programs will be used.
What curriculum will be used?
We will be using the Maryland Voluntary State Curriculum. This curriculum can be downloaded at www.marylandpublicschool.org
We hope to seamlessly integrate our therapeutic strategies within this curriculum.
How is the Diener School approach different than other programs?
Our program is unique in many ways. We will provide a holistic approach where all experts from the various disciplines will collaborate to provide the best educational experience for the individual child.
Our holistic approach includes families as well. We will partner with families to communicate goals, expectations, strengths and concerns. We will offer a sibling program for sibs of our students. This program will occur twice a year and give our sibs the opportunity to enjoy a fun experience and allow them to express their feelings in a safe, supportive group. We will also offer two “Parents Night Out” during the year while we take your kids out bowling and for pizza!
We will provide daily social skills lessons and the opportunity weekly to apply those skills outside of our classroom walls in an after school program.
All children will be on a token system. Our daily positive reinforcement will encourage appropriate behavior as well as be an incentive for students to work hard and accomplish goals.
We have a behaviorist and neuro-developmental professional on staff. Not only will we look at kids academic skills, but their cognitive functioning as well. Our kids will have visual schedules. These schedules will reduce anxiety levels and help students with their organizational skills.
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