Transitional Kindergarten & Kindergarten
The Panama-Buena Vista Union School District offers Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and Kindergarten at all District elementary schools. This booklet contains information to help you and your child prepare for your school's kindergarten program:
For school year 2023-24, children entering TK during the upcoming school year must be five between September 2, 2023 and April 2, 2024 (CA Dept. of Education - TK), and children entering kindergarten must be five years old on or before September 1, 2023 (CA Dept. of Education - K).
REGISTRATION for school year 2023-24 will begin the week of February 21, 2023, at all District elementary schools, Monday-Friday, during regular school office hours. Parents should register their children at the school in their attendance area. Registration is not available online; however, several forms are available to download below. (Parents can determine their attendance area here: School/Site Locator.)
District Day Care registration (2023-24) for TK & kindergarten is done after a student has successfully registered for school. Day Care space is limited. TK/K Registration will continue through June 1, 2023; however, students who register late may have to be accommodated at other school sites depending upon enrollment.
In order for parents/guardians to receive a TK or Kindergarten registration packet, please bring the following when you register (documents must be dated within 30 days of registration/enrollment). ORIGINAL Proof of Residence: PG&E or Water Bill in parent's/guardian's name*, Home Purchase/ Construction Contract/ Escrow Documents if purchasing a new home, Rental Agreement from a Property Management Company only (no private party agreements accepted), documentation/correspondence from a government agency, pay stub or voter registration, or declaration of residency executed by the parent or legal guardian of a pupil; ORIGINAL Immunization Record; ORIGINAL Proof of Student's Age'; Proof of Physical (must be completed within six months of the start of school) and Oral Health Assessment (within 12 months of starting school).
*A downloaded and printed .pdf file of the current FULL utility bill is acceptable.
Throughout the year there will be random checks for verification of address. Any falsification or misrepresentation of Proof of Residence will result in: revocation of enrollment in the Panama-Buena Vista School District; transfer to the school of legal residence, and referral to the District Attorney’s office for appropriate action. Please notify the school of any change in address.
TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN
Transitional Kindergarten is a program that is available to young learners the year before they enter kindergarten. TK is a bridge between the preschool years and kindergarten and gives young students an opportunity to learn and grow in a classroom that is designed to meet their academic and social needs. In our district, for the 2023-24 school year, the TK program will serve children turning five between September 2, 2023 and April 2, 2024. Parents should register their children and obtain immunization requirements at their resident school. On time registration assists the school district in appropriate staffing at the schools.
kindergarten the next school year - no further action by parents is necessary.)
A big day is approaching for your child . . . the first day of kindergarten. The Panama-Buena Vista Union School District is pleased to welcome your child. Kindergarten is a milestone in your child's life. It is not only the beginning of his or her first formal education, but will be the first step toward life-long learning and social participation.
This should be an adventure for your child and for the entire family. Our school system considers parents as partners in your child's education. By working together, we can be assured that your child receives the best possible learning experience. This booklet contains information to help you and your child prepare for your school's kindergarten program.
Age Eligibility – A child must be five years of age by September 1 to enter kindergarten. If an age-ineligible child completes a full year of kindergarten in a private school, that child will be enrolled in TK per CDE admission requirements. A child who turns five years old after September 1 is not eligible for kindergarten in the Panama-Buena Vista Union School District and will be enrolled in TK.
Proof of Age – Per Education Code Section 48000(a), children entering kindergarten must be five years of age on or before September 1. Proof of age will be required for all enrolling kindergartners. The legal evidences of age are a birth certificate, birth record, baptismal certificate, passport, or affidavit signed by the parent/guardian. Documents presented for proof of age must be originals.
Health Record, Physical Exam, Oral Exam
Downloadable documents/forms (English & Spanish):
A physical examination or statement from your family health advisor is required for school attendance (District Board policy). For school year 2023-24, the physical exam must be completed on or after February 18 of the year of expected Transitional Kindergarten and/or kindergarten enrollment. State law requires that the child have:
• 4 doses of Polio vaccine
• 5 doses of D.P.T. Diphtheria, Pertussis (whooping cough) and Tetanus vaccine
• 3 doses of Hepatitis B vaccine
• 2 doses of Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccine
• 2 dose of Varicella (chickenpox) immunization or documentation of immunity before entering school
• Oral Health Assessment
• TB Clearance
Health records should include information on any special health problems. Parents will be given additional information at registration.
California law, Education Code Section 49452.8, requires that your child have an oral health assessment by May 28 in Transitional Kindergarten, kindergarten, or first grade, whichever is his or her first year of public school. The law specifies that the assessment must be performed by a licensed dentist or other licensed or registered dental health professional. Oral health assessments that have happened within the 12 months before your child enters school also meet this requirement.
If you have questions regarding TK or kindergarten programs, first contact your neighborhood school. For further questions, contact the District’s Department of Instructional Services at (661) 831-8331, ext. 6349.