By Dr. Annette Weissman, Principal SIB Community School

April is a special time for our very youngest students.  SIBCS opens kindergarten registration for the 2009-2010 school year on Wednesday, April 15th between 8:30 AM and 11:00 PM daily.  For parents and students, this is a milestone that creates some apprehension as well as excitement.   Parents worry mainly about their children adjusting to a new environment and about their readiness for kindergarten.  Sunny Isles Beach Community School is very sensitive to these issues and makes every effort to ease the concerns of parents and students.

There have been many studies to define the academic, emotional and social readiness of students entering kindergarten.  A parent can find many online resources that provide readiness checklists.  According to the U.S. Department of Education’s Center for Education Statistics, traditional signs of readiness to start kindergarten include being able to:
           
Communicate about things he/she needs and wants
Shares and take turns
Is curious and enthusiastic about trying new activities
Pats attention and can sit still
Uses a pencil and a paintbrush
Counts as high as 20
Recognizes the letter of the alphabet

Other reliable resources include the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the National PTA.  However, parents must remember that every child develops and matures at a different rate and will respond to his new environment in his own unique way.  Regardless of your child’s level of readiness, parents should know that kindergarten teachers are specially trained to handle all the students in their classrooms.

Exactly what do you need to do to register your child for kindergarten?  First, log on to the Miami-Dade Public School website, click on Parent Portal, and then click on New to the District.  Here you will find the age guidelines and a list of documents that you must bring to the school when you register.

Now let me tell you how SIBCS makes the transition to the “big school” more comfortable for parents and students.  At the time of registration you will receive a packet of materials that will assist you in preparing your child for kindergarten.  Then, during the summer, our kindergarten and first grade teachers will be assessing each new student individually to ensure that he/she is placed in the best learning environment based on his skills and maturity. In August, we will be hosting an orientation meeting so your children can visit their classroom and meet their teachers.

As always, the SIBCS staff is available to answer your questions about registration, placement, and school policy.  We look forward to welcoming next year’s kindergarten class and meeting our new families.