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Schools

Schools to round up kids for kindergarten

By MARYAN PELLAND
Published March 29, 2007

When spring is in the air in Hernando County, Kindergarten Roundup is never far behind. During April, public and private schools will hold events to welcome the next group of 5-year-olds to the beginning of their school careers.

Each year, about 1,000 kids begin school at Hernando County area kindergartens, and any parent can tell you the transition from home or preschool can be challenging.

The April event provides information to parents and gives kids a chance to test the educational waters, said Brooksville Elementary kindergarten teacher Connie Downs.

Parents of preschool age children are invited to bring their prospective scholars to the roundup at their local schools, Downs said.

Most schools set up hallway stations ask visitors to move from station to station. Each stop has activities to test basic skills needed to enter kindergarten.

Once through the series, parents have a personal meeting with a kindergarten teacher to discuss the evaluation.

They also receive information packets to help them work with their children on areas needing improvement.

Other professionals, like a speech/language specialist, are available, as are consultants from the Florida Diagnostic Learning Resource Center.

Each school's roundup is different, but most offer favors or goodie bags to kids. Some of the giveaways include school T-shirts, name tags and school supplies.

At Deltona, kids get coloring books and a tour of the school. At Eastside, parents get a school-readiness inventory form to fill out, and Parent Educator Beth Zacharias creates "Bright Beginnings" events to help kids feel like the building is familiar to them.

Roundup information is being sent home and distributed at preschools and care providers. For specific dates and times, call your neighborhood school.

Some schools also will have an event toward the end of summer to encourage parents to turn in registration packets. Hernando County schools offer vacation preschool, too, with certain restrictions and requirements.

Fast Facts:

Enrollment rules

To enroll in kindergarten, a child must be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1. Before the enrollment process is complete, parents must provide the child's official birth certificate, proof of up-to-date immunization, record of physical examination completed within the 12 months preceding the first day of school, and proof of residence.

[Last modified March 29, 2007, 06:55:46]