KINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT PACKET WELCOME TO KINDERGARTEN! REGISTRATION CHECKLIST o Enrollment Form o Parent Input Form for Student Placement o Date of Birth ENROLLMENT Documentation (pg. 14) REQUIREMENT o Early Childhood Screening scheduled or completed HEALTH CHECKLIST o Immunization Form o Health History Form o Make special arrangements with the health office as needed Enclosed please find important information for all Edina Public Schools (EPS) KINDERGARTEN TIMELINE incoming kindergarten families pertaining to the upcoming school year. Included you will find information about: Program Preference Form Due • Kindergarten Enrollment – overview of enrollment options as well as a list of Tuesday, January 10, 2017 by 6 p.m. frequently asked questions Applications Due for Open Enrollment • Student Health Requirements – information on the health services Friday, January 15, 2017 department and student immunization requirements • Transitioning to Kindergarten – information and resources on how families Kindergarten Registration Day can support their child to make a successful transition into kindergarten. Thursday, January 26, 2017 • Early Childhood Developmental Screening – information on student Concord 3:30 - 5 p.m. screening requirements Countryside 4:15 - 5:45 p.m. • Community Education programming – information on out-of-school time Cornelia 4 - 5:30 p.m. care options through Edina KIDS Club and Edina Community Education Creek Valley 4 - 5:30 p.m. Services Highlands 4:15 - 5:45 p.m. Normandale 3:30 - 5 p.m. Additional information about district programs and services can also be found online at www.edinaschools.org. Thank you for your partnership in making 2017-18 Teacher Assignments and Busing a great year! Information Information will be available in August Concord Elementary Countryside Elementary Highlands Elementary Elementary School Open Houses Tony Washington, Principal Karen Bergman, Principal Katie Mahoney, Principal 952-848-4300 952-848-4700 952-848-4500 Held in August prior to the start of school Cornelia Elementary Creek Valley Elementary Normandale Elementary Lisa Masica, Principal Kari Dahlquist, Principal Chris Holden, Principal 952-848-4600 952-848-3200 952-848-4100 1 ENROLLMENT INFORMATION ENROLLMENT OPTIONS Kindergarten families have three educational options available: Neighborhood Schools, French Immersion, and Continuous Progress. Families who are interested in French Immersion or Continuous Progress must submit a Program Preference Form by 6 p.m. on Jan. 10, 2017. FRENCH IMMERSION French Immersion has been an educational option for EPS families since 1991. This districtwide program option is held at Normandale Elementary School (in the Edina Community Center). Normandale students receive the same curriculum as all Edina Public School students, but are instructed in the French language. Because of the advancing French proficiency level of the curriculum and students, entrance to the program is most successful when children begin in kindergarten. If you receive notice that your child has been accepted into the French Immersion Program, please attend the Normandale Kindergarten Registration event. CONTINUOUS PROGRESS PROGRAM Continous Progress is offered at Highlands and Countryside schools. Students work in multi-age student “families” and stay with a teacher for multiple years. Continuous Progress (CP) begins in first grade, and students may enter the program at any grade level. However due to limited space, families are encouraged to enroll their child in kindergarten. If you receive notice that your child has been accepted into the CP program at Highlands or Countryside, please attend that respective school’s Kindergarten Registration event. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) What is the age requirement to enter kindergarten? How can I get involved at my school? Children who are five years old on or before Sept. 1, 2017 are eligible to Edina Public Schools celebrates the partnership between home and begin kindergarten. Please bring your child’s date of birth documentation. school. Each class and school have several opportunities for families to be involved. You will begin to receive some of this information at Kindergarten When is registration? Registration, throughout the spring, and again in the fall. Kindergarten registration will be held on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017. Please bring your completed registration materials to this event. How can I learn more about my child’s school? Specific questions about your child’s school can be answered during the What immunizations are required? information night or by contacting the school directly. Minnesota Statute 121.15 requires that all children must be immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B series and varicella (or a record of chicken pox). See pg. 7, 19-20. Do I need to have my child screened prior to kindergarten? State law requires completion of a developmental screening (i.e. Early Childhood Screening) prior to entrance into kindergarten. For more information, see pg. 3. What if my child is not attending EPS kindergarten in the fall? Please let your neighborhood school or the Student Enrollment Office (952- 848-4585) know if you are not planning to enroll your child in 2017-18. When will I find out who my child’s teacher will be? Because of staffing and enrollment changes made throughout the summer, class lists are not finalized until August. 2 EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING As you begin to prepare your child for enrollment in kindergarten, there are certain requirements that must be met according to state law. An Early Childhood Developmental Screening is one of the required components for entrance into kindergarten. If your child has already completed an Early Childhood Developmental Screening through Edina Public Schools, no further action is required. Your child’s screening record will be delivered to his/her elementary school at the start of the kindergarten school year. If your child has not been screened, you will need to schedule an appointment and complete the screening before your child can start school. Information regarding screening can be found online at www.edinaschools.org/screening. From the main screen, click the “Schools” section, then “Early Education,” then “Early Childhood Developmental Screening.” Screenings are conducted throughout the school year on an appointment basis and take approximately one hour. • Screening can be done when your child turns three years old. • Screening is a FREE check of your child’s development, including speech and language skills, motor skills and concepts, height, weight, vision and hearing. • The purpose is to help identify health or learning concerns that may require special attention before a child enters kindergarten. It is not beneficial to wait until your child is older to complete this screening. • Screening does not determine kindergarten readiness. You may choose to not have your child participate in this screening. If you do not want your child screened, you must provide us with a signed and dated statement noting that you are a conscientious objector to the Early Childhood Screening program. If your child has been screened in another school district, or if your medical doctor has completed a standardized assessment, submit the records by Dec. 16, 2016 to: Lisa Hawthorne Early Childhood Developmental Screening, Room 163 Edina Public Schools 5701 Normandale Road Edina, MN 55424 If you would like additional information or have any questions, please contact the Early Childhood Screening office at 952-848-4299. 3 COMMUNITY EDUCATION For Kindergarten 2017-2018 Edina KIDS Club is a fun, stimulating learning environment for your child that will complement and enrich your child’s kindergarten experience in Edina Public Schools. We provide quality enrichment and care before and after school and on release days. Children learn through a wide variety of activities such as art, music, science projects, • Located at each elementary school cooking, games, writing, reading, crafts, outdoor • Program operates before school, after play, computers, practicing social skills, gym time, school and on non-school days dramatic play, and much more! There is a balance of activity options that includes large group, small • Visit our website to learn more: group, and individual choices. KIDS Club is a great edinacommunityed.org place for children to develop friendships, and grow their confidence, independence and respect for themselves and others. PROGRAM OPTIONS REGISTRATION BEFORE-SCHOOL KIDS CLUB KIDS Club programming is available for all students in grades K-5 and is offered at your elementary school before KIDS Club registration materials will be available on our school from 6:45 a.m. to the start of school. website in May. Please watch for an email reminder in the spring. For questions, contact 952-848-3947 or AFTER-SCHOOL KIDS CLUB [email protected]. KIDS Club programming is available for all students in Program Fees (subject to change): grades K-5 and is offered at your elementary school after • KIDS Club 5 days/week schedule: school from school dismissal to 6 p.m. $11.50/morning and $11.50/afternoon • KIDS Club 4 days/week or less schedule: NON-SCHOOL DAY $12.50/morning and $12.50/afternoon Non-school day programming is available on days when • KIDS Club Extra Time: $15/morning or afternoon school is not in session. It is located at your child’s school and is available all day, from 6:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. The • Non-School Days: $49/day program