Adopted: 06/16/1986
Revised: 02/16/1987
Revised: 02/19/2009
341.61
School District of Prairie Farm
Kindergarten Screening and Admissions
The Prairie Farm School District is responsible for providing screening services for all legal age resident students. The School District staff shall provide parents with the necessary information, services, and consultation to offer each student an appropriate educational placement.
For children entering the school for the first time, the screening shall be in the spring of the year in which the child is 5 years of age on or before September 1st. In addition to new enrollees being screened, children below age 5 may be screened upon the request of a parent.
A child may be admitted to kindergarten if he/she is 5 years old on or before September 1st. A child may be admitted to first grade if 6 years old on or before September 1st. Admission shall be subject to proof of age, which may be either a birth certificate, or medical records.
Parents of children who are not eligible for entrance to kindergarten or first grade but who wish to have their children evaluated for kindergarten or first grade readiness and possible early admission to kindergarten or first grade, may do so by making a written request to the District Administrator.
Students shall meet the immunization requirements unless parents have filed a request for waiver due to health, personal, or religious reasons.
NOTIFICATION OF KINDERGARTEN SCREENING
The administration will be responsible for preparing a notice and this notice will be posted in the district newsletter and three local newspapers. A sample of such a notice is on file in the Elementary office.
The administration will be responsible for preparing a letter to parents of children that are eligible to participate in the screening process. This letter is to be issued not later than two weeks prior to the scheduled kindergarten screening day. This letter is to contain a description of the screening schedule, information regarding the time guidelines that will be used for notification regarding the screening results and entrance status of the child, and information regarding the parents’ rights in the decision screening process. A sample of such a letter is on file in the Elementary office.
KINDERGARTEN SCREENING
The administration will be responsible for scheduling a kindergarten screening day. The tasks for the screening day will be divided among the kindergarten screening team.
The administration and the kindergarten teacher will be responsible for designating the tasks of the kindergarten screening to appropriate staff members and volunteers, and over seeing the screening process. The primary staff resources for the screening process will be the kindergarten teachers and the administration. See screening exhibit.
KINDERGARTEN ADMISSION
Upon completion of the screening process, the staff members will report the results to the School administration within three days. These results would include EEN referrals, delayed start referrals, and those students recommended to start kindergarten in the fall.
The administration is responsible for notification of parents within two weeks regarding the status of their child’s kindergarten entrance.
The information gathered during the screening process will be used to formulate a recommendation regarding the child’s kindergarten admission status. The role of the school shall be to advise the parent with respect to the recommended educational program for the child.
Should parents not agree with the recommendation coming from the results of the screening, an appeal may be made to the Administrator.
Should a parent choose to have their child enrolled in kindergarten, even though a delayed start is recommended through screening results, the child may enroll.
Decisions regarding admissions and program placement, and parental notification are to be completed within two weeks. The District Administrator is also to receive a copy of the placement information when completed.
LEGAL REFERENCE:. s.115.80 (2), s. 118.14, S.140.05 (16)
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