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It's kindergarten time!

Your little one will be starting kindergarten in the Fall. Wow, time went by so quickly. As a first-time parent, I just thought it would be helpful for other first-time parents to know it's not too early to register your child to start kindergarten so you're not having to beat the deadline. Please keep in mind each school district has different dates but most schools should start accepting registration packets the week after Spring break. If you're unsure what elementary school your child belongs to, just call the closest elementary to you and give them your address and they should be able to tell you what school your little one should be attending. You can also go online to the district website.

Utilize the following links to find your school:

Pasco School District

Kennewick School District

Richland School District

West Richland School District

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Now that you know your school, here's what you need to turn in for your child/ren to start school:

  1. Completed registration packet which you can pick up at your local school

  2. Proof of residence: Rental agreement/lease; mortgage, paperwork, or current utility bill; such as water, gas, electricity or service. They need this information to confirm the address you reside in so they can assure you are getting set up with the right school zone.  

  3. Updated immunization records 

  4. Birth Certificate


Good luck and congrats!!
 

If the answer is yes, then first thing you will want to do is fill out the interest card 6 to 8 months before you child plans to start Kindergarten. Enrollment is limited but the program is  being expanded and children are chosen through a lottery system (basically chosen at random). Don't miss the deadline for interest into the program because you can only enroll in this program in Kindergarten. For more details on the program and how to enroll, use the link below:

Pasco School District

Two-Way Dual Language Program Expansion: Pasco is continually expanding its Two-Way Dual Language program for an updated list of  schools click here

If the schools listed in the link above are not your designated school zone, this does not mean  that if you do not belong to the school you can not apply. This program is just currently being offered at these schools so if you would like your child to participate in the program and are accepted the district will make the appropriate transportation arrangements. 
Kennewick School District offers the program through Edison Elementary and Hawthorne Elementary. Again, this does not mean that if you do not belong to the school you can not apply. This program is just currently being offered at these schools so if you would like your child to participate the school district will set up bussing arrangements.  If you are interested in the program I would highly encourage you to submit your interest the EARLIER THE BETTER. 

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Are you interested in having your child be part of a Two-Way Dual Language program?

My child just turned 5. Should I wait for another year or should I sign him up now?

I had this same dilemma. My little one turned 5 a couple of months before starting school and I spoke to several teachers and moms the best answer I can give you is only you know if your child is physically, emotionally, and cognitively ready to attend full-day kindergarten. I came across this wonderful article that helped me identify the key elements to be ready for school.
See the full article by clicking here

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Your child is probably ready to start Kindergarten if he or she:

  • Follows simple directions. Maybe you're lucky and your little angel does whatever she's told. But in reality, most children don't behave all the time. It's important, however, that your child can listen to a teacher and complete instructions.

  • Sits still. Your child shouldn't be expected to sit for a three-hour opera but should remain in one spot long enough to listen to a story and participate in class activities.

  • Uses the restroom. Your child should be able to know when they have to go to the bathroom and be able to manage it by themselves.

  • Recognizes some letters. Believe it or not, it's OK if your child isn't reading when they start school. But they should recognize some of the letters of the alphabet.

  • Works on fine and gross motor skills. Your child should have some practice jumping and running, throwing a ball, and holding a pencil and scissors.

  • Gets along with peers. Ideally, your child knows how to share and take turns, but those are skills that can take a lifetime to master.

  • Handles emotions. It's normal for a five-year-old to break down in tears when she's upset. But, it's important that she knows her feelings, and has coping strategies.

  • Shows an interest in learning. He doesn't have to be a little Einstein, but it helps if your child listening to stories, music, and books and seems stimulated by the information.

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The more excited a child is about school, the easier the transition will be.


 

What are the age requirements to enter Kindergarten?
To be able to enter Kindergarten, your child will need to have turned 5 on or before midnight August 31 of that school year. I thought it was interesting  that Washington is one of only two states in the country that doesn’t require children to begin their formal education before the age of eight.

 

What Every Child Should Know Before Entering Kindergarten
Read full article by clicking here

  1. Be able to state first and last name when asked.

  2. Be able to write first name with first letter upper case and remaining letters lower case.

  3. Use appropriate three-finger grasp when using writing instruments (pencils, crayons and
    scissors)

  4. Count to at least thirty and tells what number comes before or after a given number to 20.

  5. Know all the letters in their first name.

  6. Identify basic geometric shapes (triangle, circle, square, rectangle, oval, star, rhombus
    (diamond) and heart)

  7. Know basic colors (red, blue, green, yellow, orange, purple, black, white, brown, pink)

  8. Identify numerals 1-10 in random order.

  9. Make most letter/sound matches.

  10. Identify most upper and lower case letters.

  11. Use finger to accurately touch count items to ten.

  12. Knows concepts of print (front and back of book, which page comes first, track words
    left to right).

  13. Be able to rhyme words.

  14. Retells simple stories in sequence.

  15. When given a word (“man”) and a new beginning sound (/f/), creates the familiar word (“fan”)

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Parents' Questions About Two-Way Immersion
(click on links for Pasco School District commonly asked questions answers)

  1. What advantages are there for my child in a TWI program? Are the advantages the same for language minority and language majority students?

  2. How do students in TWI programs compare academically to students in other types of educational programs?

  3. When do students perform at grade level on standardized achievement tests in their first and second languages? Is the time frame different for 90/10 vs. 50/50 models?

  4. Within TWI programs, how does the academic performance of native English speakers compare to that of English language learners?

  5. What are the characteristics of students who are successful in TWI programs?

  6. How can TWI program parents help families who don’t have children in the program understand its benefits?

  7. How can TWI parents work with the school board and district administrators to help them understand the importance of supporting TWI programs?

  8. What should a TWI program do to promote home-school connections? What can I do as a parent to get involved?

  9. How can I help support my child in doing homework in the second language, particularly if I don’t know that language? What kind of homework support can the program provide?

  10. What resources exist for parents of TWI students? Are there conferences that I might enjoy attending?

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Richland School District does not offer a Two-Way Dual language program but they do offer English Language Learners program.

Are you looking for a Hi Cap program?

(Selection Process is evaluated differently in each school district) 

In Pasco School District letters are mailed to parents/guardians of students indicating whether or not the student has been identified as eligible for Highly Capable Program services. If a student is eligible for services, the letter will ask the parents/guardians if they would like their child to participate in the district’s specially designed Highly Capable Program Services, as available. Placement in a service is provisional and will undergo periodic review to ensure that each student is demonstrating consistent academic progress.
 

Kennewick School District

Students currently in kindergarten through grade 11 may request consideration for the HI-CAP programs offered at their home school for the following year. Students must be referred and have a referral/consent to test form signed and returned to the school office or emailed by the deadline in January. Students meeting the screening criteria in reading and/or math will be eligible for school-based services.

The school-based highly-capable program for K through 12 is designed to meet the needs of students who have exceptional ability by offering challenging and enriching learning experiences through differentiated instruction. It is not a full-time gifted program. Challenge comes from an advanced content, interaction with intellectual peers, and projects and activities that create a need for organization and study skills. Teaching strategies include an emphasis on problem-solving, critical thinking skills, creativity skills and the development of research skills. Students currently in K-5 highly capable programs, or 6-11 Honors, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and advanced interest classes do not need to be referred for highly capable placement for the 2016-17 school year.  
 

Richland School District

Children who demonstrate exceptional ability, exceed grade level standards in literacy and/or math, demonstrate exceptional creativity, and possess strong motivation to excel are good candidates for the Richland School District's Highly Capable Program. The District provides opportunities for students to receive district based, school based and/or classroom based instructional opportunities as part of a comprehensive Response to Intervention (RtI) program designed to meet the needs of all learners. Click here to read an overview of the program offerings. and click here to read a comprehensive Q & A documentQuestions about our Highly Capable Program can be directed to Toni Vonderhulls at 509-967-6025 or toni.vonderhulls@rsd.edu


Kindergarten-5th grade

Students currently in kindergarten through 5th grade (2015-16) may request consideration for the HI-CAP programs offered at their home school for the following year. Students must have a consent formed signed and returned to the District administration office by the dates indicated in the Timeline Document. Students meeting theScreening/Qualifying Criteria in either reading and/or math will be eligible for school-based services. Enrollment and placement into a school-based HI-CAP program will require that a Consent to Test Form ....(Spanish version)....be completed and returned to the District administration office by the date indicated on the Timeline Document. This Permission for Placement Form will accompany the notification announcement that parents receive should their child qualify for placement.

Kindergarten students enrolling in the fall of 2015 may be nominated for their school-based HI-CAP program. Nomination, screening and qualifying will occur in September. A separate Nomination-Consent Form for Kindergarten .... (Spanish version)....will be required. The window to submit this form is September 1 to September 15 each school year. 

The school-based highly-capable program (see school links below) for K-5 is designed to meet the needs of students who have exceptional ability by offering challenging and enriching learning experiences through differentiated instruction. Challenge comes from an advanced content, interaction with intellectual peers, and projects and activities that create a need for organization, and study skills. Teaching strategies include an emphasis on problem-solving, critical thinking skills, creativity skills and the development of research skills.

Badger Mountain
Jason Lee
Jefferson
Lewis & Clark
Marcus Whitman
Orchard
Sacajawea

Tapteal
White Bluffs
William Wiley

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