Pre-registration to begin Feb. 25

Allows students to attend class in their area

By MICHAEL ERB


PARKERSBURG — Preregistration for children entering Wood County Schools prekindergarten and kindergarten classes will open the last week of February.

Preregistration will be held beginning Feb. 25 and run through Feb. 29, said Karen Brunicardi, director of elementary schools and prekindergarten programs.

Early registration enables school personnel to more accurately assign staff and classroom space for the kindergarten program. Because of changes and potential restaffing, it is necessary that children be pre-registered to be assured they can attend kindergarten in their attendance area. If a child is not pre-registered during that period , it may be necessary for the child to attend kindergarten outside the normal attendance area, Brunicardi said.

The early sign-up period also aids in reminding parents of immunization requirements for children entering any West Virginia school for the first time. Students should have completed the age-appropriate immunization program prior to the first day of school in the fall.

“The kindergarten program provides age and developmentally appropriate experiences to help prepare children for the formal academic setting in first grade,” Brunicardi said. “They learn to follow directions, to accept responsibility for personal belongings, to develop coordination skills needed for writing, and to interact with other children.

“Children are also introduced to reading, writing and math programs in kindergarten, narrowing the gap between students with differing levels of experience,” she said.

A child must be five years old prior to Sept. 1, 2008, to begin kindergarten in the fall. Those students whose fifth birthday will occur between Sept. 1 and Oct. 31 may request early entrance to kindergarten.

Parents must present their child’s certified birth record and proof of immunization against childhood diseases when enrolling a new student. Children who will be entering school in West Virginia for the first time must complete an immunization program against diphtheria, polio, tetanus, whooping cough, rubella and rubeola. Two doses of immunizations for rubella and rubeola are required before kindergarten entrance. Any physician’s request for immunization exemption must state which vaccines are involved, a detailed explanation of the medical contraindication and if the contraindication is temporary or permanent. Parents or guardians are asked to present a comprehensive well child exam documentation or HealthCheck form from their health care provider to the school nurse or administrator. The well child exam needs to have been completed within one calendar year from the start of school.

A child may be pre-registered at the elementary school he or she will attend in the fall. Preregistration hours will be 9:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. Parents should allot at least 20 minutes to complete the process and all necessary forms.

Parents should contact the Wood County Schools administration building at 420-9663 if they do not know which school serves the area in which they live.

Prekindergarten enrollment will be March 10-14. Children who meet the entrance requirements given below may be enrolled during this time period.