Frequently
Asked
Questions
for
Transition into Kindergarten
How do I enroll my
child for Kindergarten? How do I know
which elementary school my child will attend?
If your child is 5 years
old on or before the first of January of any year, he or she can enter
kindergarten. Contact your elementary school to receive information on
kindergarten transition and registration.
If you are unsure which elementary school your child will attend,
contact the Residency Office at 561-6620.
I am interested in learning more
about magnet schools in town. How do I
get more information on how to apply?
There
are three intra-district magnet schools in town that are open to only West
Hartford residents. While each has a
specific area of concentration, they continue to participate in the same
curriculum and high educational standards as the other elementary schools in
the district. The three magnet schools
are:
Eric G. Norfeldt School: A Classical Education based on
logical reasoning and critical thinking.
Charter
Oak Academy of Global Studies: A
rich learning environment helping students become responsible and caring
members of a global society.
Florence E. Smith School of
Science Math and Technology: Students explore the scientific and mathematical aspects
of their world using technology as an essential tool to solve problems.
You
may apply to only one magnet school.
Parents and children are encouraged to schedule a visit with the schools
and learn more about the magnet schools before deciding to apply. Parent Informational Meetings are held in
late February or early March. The
application deadline for the magnet schools is the end of March of the school
year prior to the beginning of school.
Incoming kindergarteners need to call ahead to set up an appointment to
register a child with the Residency Office at 561-6620. For more information on magnet schools,
please contact Wanda Correa, Magnet School Liaison, at 561-6664.
What skills will my child need to know entering kindergarten?
We recognize that children come to kindergarten
with a wide range of skills. Therefore we know many children may enter
kindergarten with beginning skills above this level.
What is a typical
schedule or routine in a Kindergarten classroom?
Kindergarten is a
full-time program in the town of West Hartford. School hours on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday are 8:35 am
– 3:20 pm. On Wednesdays, children are
dismissed at 2:00 p.m. for teacher professional development.
Children remain in the
classroom throughout the day, except for specials, lunch and recess:
A
typical week would include:
Do the children
have nap and/or rest time?
This varies by school but
all the classrooms have rest time/quiet time usually between 20-30
minutes. This may change as the year
progresses and children become adjusted to the full day schedule.
How are children
assigned to each classroom? What if my
child doesn’t know anyone?
Using information
gathered at Kindergarten Registration, classes are designed so that the
groupings of children are heterogeneous by sex, cognitive skills, social skills
and age. Many children do not know each
other, so a great deal of time is spent in the first weeks of the year on
transitions and getting to know each other.
How do teachers
work with children who are on different levels?
Teachers are able to
utilize resources within the school to create small groups for reinforcement of
skills using other school staff, i.e. Kindergarten paraprofessionals, Teaching
Assistants or the Curriculum Specialist. Teachers assess each child and plan
instruction accordingly, based on the academic level. West Hartford is committed to meeting the needs of all children
regardless of age or stage of development.
What if my child has strong academic skills, but
is not ready emotionally and socially?
He has separation anxiety and carries his favorite stuffed animal with
him everywhere. Is he ready for
kindergarten?
A child needs to be ready
emotionally before moving on to academic skills. A parent should take cues from their child and preschool teacher
if your child attended preschool. A problem that may affect a child’s ability
to learn can be identified in kindergarten and appropriate services could be
provided. Kindergarten instruction
promotes learning of many skills that are the foundation of the
curriculum. Stuffed animals and blankets
are not allowed in the classroom, but can stay in the child’s backpack.
What should I do
about my child who has a “late” birthday?
(October – December)
Making the decision to
enroll your child in kindergarten should be based on your child’s social and
emotional readiness and information gathered from the preschool teacher if your
child attended preschool. Based on
research from the Connecticut State Department of Education, keeping an
age-eligible child out of kindergarten does not result in any long-term
benefits.
How do
I talk to my child about the fact that he/she might not be going to
kindergarten until the following year?
Be confident in your
decision, be positive and optimistic about whatever your child will be
participating in and convey those feelings to your child. Do not let your child pick up on any
feelings of regret or indecision you may have.
My
child has a peanut/other food allergy.
How does the school and classroom teacher work with allergies?
Food allergies require a multi-disciplinary plan
involving the school nurse, classroom teacher, special area teachers, cafeteria
staff, custodians, bus drivers, etc. Parents should speak with the school nurse
to discuss their child's food allergy so that an appropriate plan can be made.
The nurse, teacher and parents work together to develop an individual health
care plan. Since 1995 the practice is
that there are no peanut products allowed in the classrooms. There is a peanut-free table in each school
cafeteria.
Are there before and after school
programs at the elementary schools?
Yes, each elementary school has a licensed program. To find out how to register and what the
hours and rates are, contact your elementary school for the direct number to
contact.
What are the procedures for bus
transportation?
By state statutes, children including kindergartners who
live within a mile of school, walk to school and are therefore not eligible for
bus transportation. If you are unsure
as to whether your house is within the 1-mile mark, contact the Office of
Transportation at 561-6647. If your
child is eligible for bus transportation, you will receive a letter over the
summer from the Office of Transportation.
In addition, you will receive information regarding a practice bus ride
for kindergarteners.
50 South Main Street, West
Hartford Connecticut 06107
(860) 561-6669 www.whecp.org