WELCOME TO KINDERGARTEN

Jefferson County SchoolsJefferson County, Tennessee

A Parent’s Guide

By: Sarah Hurst

HOW OLD DOES MY CHILD NEED TO BE TO ENTER KINDERGARTEN?

For the 2014-2015 school year and all school years thereafter, a child entering kindergarten must be five years old on or before August 15.

However, a child does not have to enroll in school at five years of age, but enrollment must occur no later than the child's sixth birthday.

Any transfer student applying for admission who was legally enrolled in an approved kindergarten in another state and who will be five years of age no later than December 31 of the current school year, shall be enrolled.

http://www.tn.gov/sbe/faq.shtml#Age

WHAT IS THE ATTENDANCE POLICY FOR KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS?

ATTENDANCE, EARLY DISMISSAL, AND TARDIES  Absence is defined as nonattendance for an entire day, a major portion of the school day, or seventy-five (75%) of the school day.

Excused absences shall include:  

1. Personal illness with doctor’s note2. Death in the family3. Legal or court appearance4. Religious observances5. Doctor's Appointment  

Early dismissals will be allowed only:(1) In case of emergencies(2) With valid photo ID and on the child’s emergency pick-up list.(3) With a valid doctor's appointment card(4) With a validation of funeral attendance of immediate family. 

Unexcused late arrivals or unapproved early dismissals will accumulate on the student's attendance record.

These aggregate days may be reported to parents for five (5) days notifications and to the attendance officer for ten (10) day notifications in compliance with Compulsory School Attendance Law.

WHICH SCHOOL WILL MY CHILD ATTEND FOR KINDERGARTEN?

Contact the school which is nearest to your home,

and the secretary should be able to tell

you the appropriate

school at which to

register. This decision is based upon your street

address.

Dandridge Elem. School: 397-3127Jefferson Elem. School: 475-4712Mt. Horeb Elem. School: 397-9472 New Market School: 475-3551 Piedmont Elem. School: 397-2939Rush Strong School: 933-5313 Talbott Elem. School: 475-2988 White Pine School: 674-2596

www.jc-schools.netKindergarten Registration

is May 6, 2014

WHAT PAPERWORK IS NEEDED TO ENROLL MY CHILD IN KINDERGARTEN?

• Birth Certificate -Can be obtained at the local Health Department. (397-3930)

• Immunization/Shot Record -Official Copy must be obtained from your child’s doctor.

• Proof of Residency

(Copies of these documents will be made at registration.)

There are also other school paperwork

requirements to fill out on registration

day.

WHAT SUPPLIES WILL MY CHILD NEED FOR KINDERGARTEN?

*1 backpack (no wheels)

• 2 (8 count) pack of Crayola crayons

• 2 packs of pencils• 1 pair of Fiskars

scissors• 2 bottles of glue

• 2 glue sticks• 1 bottle of hand

sanitizer• 1 box of Kleenex

• A change of clothes is helpful.

WHAT DOES MY CHILD NEED TO KNOW FOR KINDERGARTEN?Kindergarten readiness

checklistFollows a simple directionStays with an activity to completionParticipates in clean-up activitiesTakes responsibility for own belongingsIs able to dress selfUses appropriate bathroom skillsFollows simple safety rulesPuts puzzles togetherCuts with scissorsHolds and uses pencils correctlyBuilds using blocksTalks in sentences Follows one- and two-step oral directionsLooks at books or pictures on their ownAttempts to write own nameRecognizes own name in printIdentifies and draws basic shapesCorrectly counts to ten Recognizes and names basic colors

(http://www.leapfrog.com)

These skills are encouraged, but not required. Your child’s teacher will explain in

more detail the Kindergarten

Curriculum and Common Core

Standards used in their classes.

www.corestandards.org

WHO IS MY CHILD’S TEACHER, AND WHAT IS MY CHILD’S DAILY SCHEDULE?

Kindergarten teachers receive their student rosters during the summer. You will be contacted by mail in July by your child’s teacher.

Each school has their own daily routine for lunch, gym, music, library, art, and recess. These schedules are typically given out on the first day of school.

IS KINDERGARTEN ALL DAY? DO STUDENTS TAKE NAPS?

Jefferson County schools follow a full day Kindergarten schedule

(8:00-3:00pm), and our students do not take naps.

The school year calendar will be available on the Jefferson County website by May.

Kindergarten students have a staggered enrollment schedule in August. This is to help students grow accustomed to “big” school. Also, Your teacher will send a staggered enrollment schedule in your July correspondence. 

We know this can be a challenging time for families. The first time your child goes to

school is very special, and we hope to make this transition smooth for all of you.