School officials wait for kindergarteners

The district can't finalize some plans until hundreds of incoming kindergarteners enter the choice plan.

By MONIQUE FIELDS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published April 22, 2003

LARGO -- Pinellas school officials are wondering what happened to almost 1,500 kindergarten students expected to enroll this fall.

Administrators were projecting 7,900 new kindergarteners, but only 6,450 participated in the district's new choice program. Those missing in action could be in for a shock when they finally arrive.

Last year, parents could sign up a kindergartener as late as the first day of school and still be guaranteed a seat at their zoned school. Not anymore. Under the district's new choice plan, students who come late could be assigned to a school with available space -- not necessarily one close by.

"They must go to a family center and begin the (choice) process," said Andrea Zahn, coordinator of choice plan communications. "We don't want them showing up Aug. 5 not aware of the changes in the student assignment plan."

Kindergarteners are the first true choice applicants. In some ways this incoming kindergarten class may give a sense of how choice will work in the future.

The student shortage has administrators in a bind. The district is still trying to design its bus system and finish teacher assignments.

"These things can't be finalized until we know where the kids are going to go," said Al Swinyard, the assistant superintendent for management information systems.

District officials say they did all they could to get the word out to incoming kindergarteners. They sent out three bulk mailings about choice, blanketing preschools, day care centers and other programs that target young children.

They even walked neighborhoods, hoping to avoid the exact problem they now face.

Some blame parental procrastination. Some blame general confusion about the choice process.

Campbell Park Elementary principal James Steen said he doesn't have a clue why so many kids are missing.

"People are just not coming forward to register," he said.

The number of kindergarten openings varies from school to school. Some are near capacity. Others have plenty of space.

Shore Acres Elementary School is nearly full. It has enough students registered to fill two kindergarten classes.

Principal Timothy C. Owens says the school was a popular choice, in part, because a brand new Shore Acres Elementary is rising in the school's backyard. It is scheduled to open in about a year.

There are several pieces of information parents need to register their children:

An original or certified copy of the child's birth certificate.

Proof of residency, such as a utility bill with the parent's name and street address.

A declaration of domicile (if parent/guardian has not lived in Florida for a year, is not in the U.S. military or has not purchased a home in Pinellas County).

The child's Social Security number.

A recent report card for students entering grades 1-12.

-- Monique Fields may be reached at 727-893-8737 or at fields@sptimes.com.

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