Kindergarten Registration

Good Morning!

Yes, it's about that time! Kindergarten registration is just around the corner. This year, for the very first time, Petal Primary will be registering entering kindergarten students on a separate day from the registration of first and second grade students. We made the decision to do this for various reasons. Most importantly, we want to make sure that our entering kindergarten students and parents are provided guidance and support throughout the entire registration process. Because our school is so large, it is difficult to register almost 1,000 students on one single day. So, we are anxious to see how this will work, and we look forward to feedback from our parents.

Kindergarten registration will take place on Thursday, July 26 from 11:30-6:30. If your child attended an area preschool and if you completed the "preregistration" paperwork, we have already placed your student in a class.  This will also apply even if your child didn't attend an area preschool, but if you brought him/her to Kindergarten Roundup in April. You should receive a call from your child's kindergarten teacher prior to the actual day of registration. The teacher will answer questions you may have, explain what all you need to bring to the registration day, and listen to concerns you may have about registration, start of school, etc.
Even if your child has been "preregistered", it is still necessary to attend the Kindergarten Registration on July 26.
If your child did not attend an area preschool, it is essential that you bring him/her to Petal Primary School during the registration hours on July 26 for registration. Once you have completed the registration process, your child will be assigned to a classroom, and you can accompany him/her to meet the teacher.

For all students - those who have already "preregistered" and those who have not:

Requirements for all entering kindergarten students:

• Children entering kindergarten for the first time must be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2012. 
• Parents must bring: 
• Child’s Original Certified Birth Certificate 
• Mississippi Immunization 121 Form (complete for school) 
• Child’s Social Security Card                                                                                                 

In addition to the items listed above, parents of kindergarten students must provide residency information:

Please note that the Petal School District has updated the residency requirements. In order to proceed through any of the registration process, the residency requirements must be met first. Please see the link below for the updated residency requirements and other documents needed for registering your entering kindergarten student:. All of these forms must be completed in order to fully register your child.

Petal Primary Kindergarten Registration Forms

While this process seems overwhelming, please know that we will have personnel in place to guide you from one place to the next and to assist you with questions as needed.

THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THIS PROCESS IS TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT YOU HAVE THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR THE UPDATED RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS. 

 If you do not have the required documents for the updated residency requirements, we will not be able to complete the registration process until you bring the necessary documentation.

We want every kindergarten student to be able to meet his/her teacher on this day, so it is critical that every parent brings the required documentation to prove residency.

Please feel free to call the school office for further information if necessary. The number is 601-554-7244.

There is nothing better than looking into the eyes of a little kindergarten student. Their eagerness to learn is evident by the twinkle in the eyes. We are looking forward to an awesome 2012-2013 school year.

Kindergarten Jumpstart

Boys and girls are loaded into cars at the kindergarten pick-up/drop-off area.

So, my child is going to kindergarten?

Good morning!

Last week I promised that I would share some ideas for various summer activity ideas to ensure that learning continues right on throughout the months of June and July. I decided to try this from a different angle as many of our parents are preparing their child for the very first day of kindergarten. This entry will offer suggestions that are focused on getting ready for kindergarten. The first part of the blog will give ideas that are appropriate for home. Following this information are additional ideas/opportunities in the community. These ideas, of course, can be extended to include your school-age child as well. There are learning opportunities all around us!

Guest bloggers this week are Emily Branch and Tessa Trimm - both teachers at Petal Primary School. Mrs. Branch teaches kindergarten and is a Nationally Board Certified Teacher. Mrs. Trimm teaches one of our kindergarten/first grade looping classes. She is also a Nationally Board Certified Teacher. Both of these ladies have several years of experience working with young children and provide excellent leadership within our school. I know that these suggestions will be helpful. 

Your child’s first day of kindergarten is an exciting and important event, and there are many things you can do this summer to prepare your child for this experience.  In kindergarten, children learn many important social and academic skills.  These are some ways to get your child ready for his first big year of school.

Words! Words! Words!

In Kindergarten, your child will begin learning to read.  This summer, take as many opportunities as possible to read to your child.  Read everything!  Read books, billboards, words on TV, labels, everything!  Encourage your child to read things back to you after you’ve read them.  Help your child pick out letters that he knows as you’re reading. When you read stories, ask your child to draw a picture or tell you about the story.  Help your child learn to write his name and recognize the letters in it.

Talk to your child.  A good vocabulary is important to a child’s success in kindergarten and throughout school.  Talk to your child about everything.  Use “big words” and explain their meanings.  Ask your child “why” and “how” questions as often as possible.  Many everyday experiences provide great opportunities for learning.  Encourage your child to count things and problem solve when you’re in the grocery store.  Explore how things are alike and different with your child when you are at home or running errands.

Your child’s social life is also important.

In Kindergarten, your child will learn through collaboration with other children.  Children learn best by talking and playing with their peers.  Be sure to give your child opportunities to spend time with other children.  Encourage your child to take turns, share, and listen to other children when they are talking. 

Growing up is also an important part of kindergarten.

When children start school, they quickly become more independent.  As a part of a learning community, your child will have responsibilities.  Help your child by encouraging independence at home.  Give your child some responsibilities at home and encourage your child to do things for herself.  Small jobs around the house may also help your child be more successful with academic skills.  For example, organizing silverware provides a good experience with sorting.  Opening mail, tying shoes, tightening screws, and hammering may help your child develop fine motor skills which are necessary for handwriting.

Take advantage of opportunities in your community.

      
      The Center for Families and Children has an abundance of resources available for you and your child and they are absolutely FREE. The Center is open 5 days a week all summer. Utilize this resource to checkout academic games that will build literacy and math skills and provide an opportunity for you to spend valuable time with your child simply talking.

      The Petal Public Library offers story-time every Thursday at 10:00am. (Hattiesburg library offers story-time at 10:00 on Wednesday morning).  This would be an excellent opportunity for your child to sit with other children and listen to a story read aloud. And while you're there, get your child a library card and checkout a few books.  The library also offers a summer reading program for children that encourages reading and offers prizes and incentives as your child finishes a book.

The Hattiesburg Zoo offers summer camps throughout the months of June and July.  The zoo provides a great opportunity to spend time with your child observing animals in their habitats.  It also is an opportunity to read to your child about each of these animals.

Register your child for Kindergarten Jumpstart.  Jumpstart is a half day introduction to Kindergarten offered July 16-18.  Incoming kindergartners will be introduced to Petal Primary School throughout the day in a small group setting.  Our Kindergarten teachers will provide the incoming students with opportunities to experience circle time, hands-on centers, play on the playground, and tour the building. Please call the school office to register your child for one of these Jumpstart days.

The Children's Health Fair will be held July 19th at Petal Primary School.  This is a free service that provides dental, hearing and vision screenings for children.


       As you can see, there are all kinds of learning opportunities around us this summer. Please feel free to respond to the blog entry if you have other suggestions for great activities available. Also, your questions are welcome as well.  Blogs are meant to be interactive, so it is fine to comment or ask questions. Much thanks to Emily Branch and Tessa Trimm for sharing their expertise. 


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Looking Ahead...

Happy Summer!

Students have JUST gotten out for the summer. Families are on vacation, boys and girls are staying up late and sleeping in, and moms and dads are typically getting a little break from the daily grind that wears us down during the school year.

The summer is actually one of  the busiest times of the year for administrators as we look ahead to "next year"! One of my goals for the 2012-2013 school year is to do a better job communicating with parents and making myself available more often. With almost 1,000 students at Petal Primary School, one of my greatest challenges is reaching out to all of the families of our boys and girls. I am looking for suggestions and ideas on how I can be more effective in this area. However, one of the ways that I plan to do this is by writing a blog. My goal is to post monthly on various topics of interest to parents of our students. (You know what they say - when you make a commitment and tell people, you are more likely to keep that commitment, so I will have to make a strong effort to stick with the monthly goal!)

At Petal Primary, we talk everyday about "Standing Tall". This phrase actually comes from a special children's book about a little girl named Molly Lou Melon. If you haven't already read this book, I encourage you to do so. It has a wonderful message, and we use this story to remind our boys and girls the meaning of our Petal Primary Creed. In the Creed, we talk about respecting ourselves and others, doing what is right, and being the best we can be. So, when I talk about "Standing Tall"in the future, you will know exactly to what I am referring.

This entry is just an introduction. I will be posting in a few days about summer-time learning opportunities. Feel free to offer feedback, suggestions, etc. It is my goal to use this blog as a tool for communicating with parents and for making our school better. Thank you in advance for helping us to "Stand Tall"!

Enjoy these summer days,
dd