Navigating the number of school choices that are available in the Pittsburgh area for your child can be a daunting task. There are so many private, magnet, and charter school choices out there. In our newsletter, we plan to highlight one school a month in order to help inform families. UCDC does not endorse the schools that are highlighted in this section - we are only offering the vast choices that are available. A great resource for finding options is the website - Great Schools.  

Shady Side Academy is a nationally respected private school in Pittsburgh for boys and girls in grades pre-kindergarten through 12, with an optional boarding experience in high school.

Three age-specific campuses with extraordinary resources, teachers who actively mentor, a forward-thinking curriculum, a diverse and inclusive community, and a legacy of alumni accomplishments all inspire Shady Side students to high achievement in academics, the arts and athletics, and to meaningful ambitions in life.

Parent Question: What is inclusion and how does UCDC work with children with differing needs?

To begin, inclusion is defined in many different ways by many different organizations. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), as well as the Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children (DEC), put out a joint statement to accurately define inclusion for early childhood as follows:

"Early childhood inclusion embodies the values, policies, and practices that support the right of every infant and young child and his or her family, regardless of ability, to participate in a broad range of activities and contexts as full members of families, communities, and society. The desired results of inclusive experiences for children with and without disabilities and their families include a sense of belonging and membership, positive social relationships and friendships, and development and learning to reach their full potential."  (NAEYC/DEC, 2009)

So, how is this accomplished at UCDC?

The teachers carefully plan for every child in their care, being cognizant of their strengths, areas to grow, interests, and abilities. For example, in an infant room, a non-mobile baby will be offered a variety of toys and re-positioned around the classroom based on their needs and interests (in a teacher's arms, in a bouncy chair, on their belly on the floor, etc.) because they are unable to move independently to explore their environment. Toddlers typically work on learning to use the toilet independently, but a toddler would not be denied access to preschool when they were old enough just because they had differing toileting requirements. We would also make accommodations for children that have differing physical abilities such as altering the physical environment to accommodate a wheelchair or walker or adding a grab bar to the bathroom to allow for independent usage.

At every level at UCDC, children are offered experiences and materials that meet their unique individual needs enabling every child to feel safe, take risks, and learn. Our goal is to create an environment where every child can actively participate. Every child is unique and has a different way of learning, growing, and changing. The teachers at UCDC strive to create an environment and support system for every child and family in order to foster their unique path of growth.

This month, the children in Preschool Four make serious household changes when asked the question...

What family rule would you change if you could?

•  I would change that we could eat dessert before our healthy food.
•  I would watch movies all day long.
•  You don't have to clean up after you make a mess.
•  There are zero rules at my house!
•  I didn't need to go to the store with my mom on home days.
•  That I could watch screens (TV) more.
•  I wish that mommy didn't have to wake me up in the morning.
•  I wish I could ride my bike on muddy days.
•  I would change how many lights can be on at night time.
•  You're not allowed to play with or throw your food.  My brother does it all the time.
•  I would like to say, "Oh my God."
•  I would want to go downstairs at night time.
•  I would change our beds.
•  I would like to change my fish tank water so that it could hold frogs.
•  I listen to my mom and dad!