Pre-registration for children who will be attending kindergarten for the first time will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 2, 3 and 4, at Apalachin Elementary School and Owego Elementary School. Parents and guardians whose children are on the school census list have been sent individual letters informing them of the school to which they should report for this preliminary registration.
The school a child will attend will depend upon transportation routes, which are modified after the school census has been completed and the number of children registered at each school is finally determined. Parents who are unable to register their children on the day designated should contact the school principal at the number listed below and arrange a time that is convenient to both parties.
Children who will be five years old on or before Dec. 1, 2016, are eligible to enter kindergarten for the 2016-2017 school year. This means that a kindergarten child would be four years and nine months old on or before Sept. 1, 2016. All registered children will be screened in May or June in the areas of speech, language, vision, hearing, fine motor and gross motor skills. This screening is required by the New York State Department of Education and will help them identify any special needs children may have.
Parents or guardians should bring their child’s birth certificate or its equivalent. Parents are reminded that New York state laws require written proof that all students have immunization against polio, measles, diphtheria, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox) and hepatitis B or medical verification of any of the above illnesses. The need for accurate information concerning birth dates and ages cannot be stressed too much, as schools are frequently required to use and provide this type of information. Parents or guardians will also need to provide two forms of proof of residency, such as a current tax bill or rent receipt, most recent pay stub, current phone or electric bill, etc.
Registration prior to the beginning of school is very important, as it enables school authorities to estimate time needed for school readiness screening, classes and transportation needs. Additionally, it provides an opportunity for school visitation before the opening session in the fall. Parents and guardians of elementary children who do not receive an individual letter and do not know where to register their child or have any other questions regarding registration may contact Robert Farrell, assistant superintendent at (607) 687-6227.
