Panama-Buena Vista Union School District Enrollment Procedures
for Transitional Kindergarten & Kindergarten Programs
For the 2013-2014 school year, enrollment procedures in the Panama-Buena Vista Union School District for Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten programs (based upon the passage of legislation last year and the recommendation of the Transitional Kindergarten Task Force) are as follows:
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The Kindergarten Readiness Act of 2010, SB 1381, changes the kindergarten entry date from December 2nd to September 1st, so children begin kindergarten at age 5. The rollback will be implemented over a 3-year period, rolling back one month per year beginning in 2012-2013. To begin kindergarten:
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In the 2013-14 school year, children must be 5 years old on or before October 1, 2013;
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In the 2014-15 school year, children must be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2014.
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In order to serve children no longer eligible for kindergarten, each Panama-Buena Vista Union School District elementary school will offer a Transitional Kindergarten (TK) class. TK is a school program that builds a bridge between the preschool years and the academic kindergarten program.
For the 2013-14 school year, TK will serve children turning five after October 1, 2013, and on or before December 2, 2013. TK may be recommended to children who are eligible for kindergarten who turn five by November 1, 2013, but can benefit from the educational program provided in the TK setting. Children turning five after December 2, 2013, and by December 31, 2013, may be served in TK, depending upon available space, state funding, and student assessment results.
TK and Kindergarten programs are a full day in length (approximately 6 hours) and follow the same schedule as grades 1 – 3, as determined by each school site.
TK provides children with a year of school readiness skills, which are developmentally appropriate and designed to prepare children for success once they enter kindergarten the following year. Research indicates that beginning kindergarten at an older age will improve student readiness, reduce remediation and special education referrals, and boost student achievement. TK provides “young” children with the gift of time to help them develop the academic skills and the confidence that will help them in the future.
Registration for TK and Kindergarten programs will begin on March 11, 2013, at each district elementary school site. Incoming students will be assessed and recommendations will be made about each student’s suitability for placement in TK or kindergarten. Assessments will be conducted between April 8, 2013, and May 3, 2013. Parents/guardians will select an assessment day/time when registering.
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QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE FOR TK & K ELIGIBILITY
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Date Child Turns 5
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Placement
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January 1 – October 1, 2013
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Based on Assessment, eligible for K or TK
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October 2 - December 2, 2013
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Eligible for TK only
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December 3 - 31, 2013
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Eligible for TK only (If funds and space permit)
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A short Transitional Kindergarten Public Services Announcement may be accessed by clicking on the following links:
English version:
Spanish version:
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