Kinder Prep: Great Start to a School Career Normally, children attend kindergarten if they turn five on or before December 2nd in a school year. Many children who turn five after that date are left out of kindergarten activities that year and can fall behind. Kinder Prep was designed by the Twin Rivers Unified School District to allow those who turn five years of age from December 3 through April 1 (which is the cut-off date for Kinder Prep) to be grouped together as a class. The program is designed to include kindergarten instructional materials and activities.
To qualify for this program, your child must turn five years of age on or before April 2, 2012.
The program offers children a great start to their school careers. The classes will be taught at Dry Creek Elementary (1230 G Street, Rio Linda), Kohler Elementary (4004 Bruce Way, North Highlands) and Noralto Elementary (477 Las Palmas Avenue, Sacramento) by highly qualified, fully-credentialed primary classroom teachers. Classroom activities will include, but are not limited to: • Having stories read to them.
• Painting, drawing, and other art activities.
• Singing and other music experiences.
• Play periods.
• Exercises to develop small and large muscles.
• Preliminary reading experiences (alphabet, etc.).
Children who are shy, or immature should wait for regular enrollment next September. Enrollment that takes place too early can create negative experiences which might carry into future school years.
It is difficult to predict how every child will react. However, some indicators of readiness include: • Child adapts well to new playmates or play situation.
• Child can concentrate on one activity until finished.
• Child can play independently for short period.
• Child demonstrates an interest in learning by asking questions.
• Child can express his/her needs or dislikes.
Kinder Prep classes will begin on Tuesday, January 10, 2012, if classes are at capacity, and continue through Thursday, May 31, 2012. At the end of the semester, the teacher and parent will evaluate the growth and readiness of the child for next year’s placements. Approximately 90-95% are enrolled in regular kindergarten and 5-10% have been placed in first grade.
Enrollment Priority will be given to children who reside within the Twin Rivers Unified School District and turn 5 years of age on or before January 10, 2012 (the first day of the program). Children who reside outside the district attendance boundaries will be admitted if space is available.
An orientation will be held on Monday, January 9, 2012. Registration will be accepted until the program is filled. Those who register after the program is at capacity will be placed on a waiting list.
If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to call or visit the school where the KinderPrep class is being offered. You may also contact the TRUSD School, Community and Relations division at (916) 566-1774.