The Northwest Voice

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On March 3 the Norris School District began accepting kindergarten registration for the 2008-09 school year. It is important for parents to register early because paperwork that the state of California now requires is significant. In addition to all the immunization records, birth records, proof of residence and a physical, a dental exam is also now required. Making dental and medical appointments always takes time so start early.

Due to the state budget it is likely that some elementary schools will have a cap on how many kindergarten students a school can enroll.  Students registered late in the Norris District may be sent to a district school other than the nearest school.  A student is fully registered only when the registration packet is completed and returned to the school (picking up a packet does not constitute being registered).

The cut off date for kindergarten is 5 years old on or before Dec. 2. If you have a young kindergartner, especially one that is not 5 when school begins, consider keeping the child out for a year.  Almost all retentions come from the ranks of the very young. It is not about intelligence, but it is about academic readiness.

Retention only works when a child needs another year of maturation. When school starts in August, the child with a Dec. 2 birthday has 57 months of life experience and is now competing in an academic environment with children who have 63 to 72 months of life experiences. Kindergarten is not the “juice and cookies with a nap and play with blocks” experience many parents and grandparents remember. The old kindergarten experience was almost totally developmental. Kindergarten has become highly academic and is no longer a type of structured day care. If you have any questions about your child’s readiness, come in and talk to the principal.

Kindergarten registration packets are available at each elementary school. Parents will need to have the following:

• Two proofs of residence
• Copy of your child's birth certificate or proof of birth
• California Heath Department Physical Form
• Oral Health Form
• Copy of immunization records
• Copy of current TB test with negative reading

Kindergarten registration dates of other area school districts are as follows:

Fruitvale: Friday, March 28 at each elementary campus. Parents may also be eligible to register your child if you work 15 hours a week or more within the Fruitvale School District boundaries under a Parent Employment Request. Prior to kindergarten registration, bring two proofs of employment into the Fruitvale School District office at 7311 Rosedale Highway. For more information, call Rhonda Nelson at 589-3830 extension 207.

Beardsley: Monday, April 28 from 8 to 11 a.m. at both elementary campuses.

Rio Bravo: Thursday, April 17 from 12:30 to 7 p.m. at all elementary campuses.

Rosedale: Various dates and times. Consult each campus.