Issue link: https://fredparent.uberflip.com/i/792081
www.FredParent.NET • 9 • Kindergarten Here We Come! Children who are 5 years old by September 30, 2017 can start kindergarten this fall. To register your child, be sure to bring everything listed below to your child's school on your county's enrollment day. • Child's offi cial, certifi ed birth certifi cate • Proof of address • School Entrance Health Form • Photo ID for parent or legal guardian * Check your school's website or call for more details. 2017 Regional Kindergarten Enrollment Days More questions? Call Smart Beginnings at 540-479-6944 Friday, March 31 KING GEORGE County Public School Division Thursday, April 6 STAFFORD, SPOTSYLVANIA and CAROLINE County Public School Divisions Wednesday, May 3 City of FREDERICKSBURG Public School Division Saturday, April 8 • 10am - 1pm Kindergarten Kickoff with Children's Museum of Richmond Join Smart Beginnings Rappahannock at CMOR Fredericksburg for fun, educational activities to help prepare children for kindergar- ten, introduce them to a classroom routine, and a chance for parents to visit with special guests from area schools. First 50 to register at your school receive a Ready Freddy the frog goody bag with tips to help get ready for kindergarten! Saturday, April 8 • Kindergarten Kickoff If you are anxious about your child starting kinder- garten, area school officials suggest the best way to lose those fears is to register your child on one of the upcoming regional kindergarten registration days in March, April and May. Janis Brunson, Supervisor of Literacy and Humanities Learning and Organizational Development for Stafford county schools, loves early registration day for kinder- garten. "Everyone is so fresh and eager. Everything is new and we get to start off these children with a posi- tive experience. That first day sets the tone for the rest of the year, really." Spotsylvania Director of Early Education, Michael Mudd agrees. "Early registration helps a child to use the months ahead to get excited about kindergarten, ask parents questions and sharpen skills they have learned in the years leading up to kindergarten. Schools also benefit greatly from early registration because they can plan more efficiently for the coming school year. Registering for kindergarten is much more than simply completing paperwork. It is about help- ing children to be "kindergarten ready" and helping schools to plan for the students." Stafford School Officials want to double the number of early registrations for kindergarten this year, says Brunson. "We had 300 register early last year and we would love to hit 600 this year." To reach their goal, Stafford County is launching online kindergarten regis- tration this Spring. Although parents still must visit the school to provide identification documents, much of the paperwork can be done ahead of time online. WRITTEN BY LEIGH ANNE VAN DOREN How to Start Kindergarten Well Scott Elchenko, principal of Hartwood Elementary and Mike Sidebotham, principal of Grafton Village Elementary at a "Ready Freddy" kindergarten registration day.