Dear Spark! Discovery Preschool families: It is time to start thinking about transitioning to kindergarten. For the 2019-2020 school year, kindergarten applications will be accepted between December 3-17, 2018. Registration continues after December 17, 2018, but choice of AM, PM or Full Day may be limited. If you’re like me, it seems like school just started!
Per Colorado state law and St. Vrain Valley School board policy, children age five by October 1, 2019, should be entering kindergarten during the 2019-2020 school year. As children enter Kindergarten, we want to make parents aware of the Kindergarten programming options as they transition. St. Vrain Valley School District offers the following Kindergarten program configurations at various schools:
- Traditional Half Day Classes (half days AM/PM, 5 days per week)
- Half Day, Alternate Day Classes (1 half day, 2 full days per week)
- Full Day, Every Day Classes (full days, 5 days per week)
- If parents choose to enroll a child in a Full Day, Every Day Kindergarten, there will be a tuition charge for the “other half” of the day.
- Full Day Kindergarten Program Tuition – $295 per month (September – May) $145 non-refundable registration fee due at time of registration (will be applied to September payment)
If parents would like to enroll a child in Full Day, Every Day Kindergarten but need tuition assistance, they will need to complete a tuition assistance application form. Please be aware that tuition assistance is limited and may be allocated by lottery or first-come, first-serve basis to those who qualify. Qualification for free or reduced lunch status does not guarantee enrollment in Full Day Kindergarten. There is also a tuition-assistance sliding scale. Please speak with the elementary office staff about tuition assistance and to obtain a form.
The Half Day District Kindergarten Program is offered at no expense (Free Appropriate Public Education) to families. The services specified in an IEP will be delivered during that portion of the day. In rare instances, when it is necessary to extend the school day, it must be approved by the District Director of Special Education.
The above information applies to all children including children with special needs who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP). All children must have a new enrollment created for kindergarten, including children with special needs. If a family chooses to open enroll out of their attendance area, transportation is not provided, including children with special needs.
Online Registration is required for parents and begins at 6:00 am starting Monday, December 3, 2018 in a first come, first serve manner. The online option is at: http://www.svvsd.org/schools/online-registration. Any additional questions about enrollment can also be answered by calling the school directly. Public, St. Vrain Valley Schools, with K-5 or K-8 options in our area include:
I recommend parents take advantage of various methods of learning about schools so they can make an informed decision possible:
- Visit the school’s website and social media to get a feel for the school, staff, and students.
- Call and make an appointment to talk to the principal to visit the school.
- Check with the school to see if they offer tours or informational nights for interested parents.
- Look at the Colorado Department of Education website to see how students at the schools are performing: http://www.cde.state.co.us/schoolview/performance
- Ask friends and neighbors, with first hand experience, about their child’s school. Listen for trends.
Preschool Retention Process: It’s important for families to gain an understanding of what is expected in kindergarten and to communicate their concern to their child’s teacher. Here is a great resource guide for Kindergarten Registration in SVVSD(Spanish) about what to expect in kindergarten. If families have concerns about a child moving on to kindergarten, please contact the child’s teacher after February conferences. After talking to the teacher, if parents want to discuss retention more formally, they need to contact the teacher to move the process forward. Any concerns regarding the consideration of retention require more than one meeting and need to involve a team of SVVSD administrators. Using input from parents and teachers and a body of evidence, the final decision regarding retention is up to administration. Generally, it is not our practice to retain children in preschool based solely on their date of birth.
INFORMATION ABOUT RE-ENROLLING FOR PRESCHOOL for 2019-2020: We will re-enroll current preschoolers who are slated to attend preschool during the 2019 – 2020 school year in December. An application and enrollment information will be sent home and needs to be returned by Thursday, December 20, 2018 to the front office.
INFORMATION ABOUT ADDING A SIBLING TO ATTEND PRESCHOOL: We will register and enroll new siblings for those families who are staying for the 2019-2020 school year, along with other new families, from Monday, January 7 – Friday January 18, 2019. An application, enrollment packet, and deposit are required to complete this process. Sibling applications are treated with a priority in January so we can help families with multiple children have similar schedules. Families should include a note with their enrollment stating they have a sibling who will also be attending during the 2019-2020 school year.
If families have enjoyed their experience at Spark! Discovery Preschool, we always appreciate it when they help us spread the word to neighbors, friends, and families about enrollment processes for next year! Parents should call school at 720-652-7906 if they have any questions.
With respect – Paige Gordon, Principal |
