LEXINGTON, S.C. 11/09/2022 — The Lexington One Educational Foundation recently awarded a
$4,500 Grant to the Lexington County School District One Special Services Department. This award will
provide funds for the renovation of The Early Childhood Developmental Screening Center, which supports
preschoolers and their parents. More specifically, the grant will fund the purchase of a sensory wall and a
reading tree and bench for the center as this area is being renovated, due to its recent move to the North
Lake Community Learning Center.
The Early Childhood Development and Screening Center screens children ages 3-5 years who are at risk
for having a disability. Special Services Director Dr. Nicole Adams stated, “Many of the children are being
evaluated for Autism and a small textured sensory wall will provide tactile sensory input to children’s
fingers and hands. The way a child interacts with the wall will help evaluators to determine the child’s
sensory strengths or needs.”
The reading tree and bench will provide very young students with a comfortable, inviting place to interact
with literature. Adams added, “Literacy is a substantial part of the evaluation process and the reading tree
and bench will allow evaluators to watch children interact with literature, in order to understand their
current exposure to any type of reading, books, or literacy activities.”
Julie Anderson Washburn, executive director of the Lexington One Educational Foundation shared, “Our
Educational Foundation Board of Directors was excited to be able to support the renovation of this
important area of Lexington District One. Although our district is mandated to provide such services, we
know these educational tools will also help the staff in Special Services, as it will make the space a warm
and welcoming one to children who are being screened. This nurturing ambiance is also important to the
child’s parents as they face the possibilities of learning that their child may have a disability.”
Lexington District One has also made a significant investment in this space for Special Services. All
investments are in the hopes of providing a well-designed educational space in which staff can assess and
place children ages 3-5 in the appropriate educational program as they begin their K-12 education.
Pictured: Lexington One Educational Foundation Board Chair Chris Rice; Lexington District One Director of
Special Services Dr. Nicole Adams; and Lexington One Educational Foundation Executive Director Julie
Anderson Washburn.
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