Posted on: Thursday, February 10, 2005
Early registration for kindergarten recommended
By Treena Shapiro
Advertiser Education Writer
The new school year won't start for several months, but public schools are encouraging parents of children born in 2000 to register their children for kindergarten now.
Signing up now could make it easier for your child to move into the school environment. "Registering early is helpful for children and their families because they will be able to participate in kindergarten transition programs and stay informed about school-related requirements and activities," said Grace Fong, principal investigator for the University of Hawai'i-Manoa's Center on the Family Learning to Grow project.
Most public schools offer spring or summer transition programs that give entering kindergartners the opportunity to get familiar with the school and meet new classmates. Some schools even offer more extensive programs that teach youngsters who have not attended preschool some basic skills, such as how to stand in line, how to hold a pencil or use scissors, or how to sit still.
Early registration also helps the schools, since they need a firm enrollment count to know how many kindergarten classes they will need, as well as how many supplies to order. A rash of last-minute enrollments can mean students start school in overcrowded classrooms that are short on supplies.
Schools that end up not hiring enough kindergarten teachers could have difficulty finding qualified teachers once the school year is under way.
Parents who wait until the last minute might also find their children are missing immunizations or legal documents that will prevent them from starting school on time.
To find out which school your child will attend, call the elementary schools in your neighborhood to determine whether your street address falls in that district.
Documents required for registration include:
• Health records (Form 14): Children must have a physical examination, written documentation of required immunizations and tuberculosis clearance to enter school on the first day. • Birth certificate: An original or certified copy is required to verify a child's age. • Legal documents if there were changes to the child's name, custody arrangement or guardianship. • Proof of local address: a document such as an electric, telephone or cable bill, or a housing or rental agreement that shows the address of the child's home. For more information, call the nearest elementary school or visit http://doe.k12.hi.us/parents. Reach Treena Shapiro at tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8014.
