VPK Kindergarten and First Grade Information 3 31

VPK, Kindergarten and First Grade Information 3. 31. 21

Kindergarten Registration kick-off, March 29 – April 2, 2021 • The expectation is that registration of kindergarten students will continue from now through the summer. • Parents have the option to postpone their child starting kindergarten. • If a child has not attended a VPK program previously and their birthday falls between February 2 and September 1, the parent can choose to postpone entry to kindergarten and instead enroll their child into a VPK program, delaying entry into kindergarten for a year. (LTP Memo March 1, 2021) • Once a child attends even one day of kindergarten, they are no longer eligible for this option. 2

Kindergarten Orientation • Transiton to kindergarten virtual training was held on March 3, 2021. • School teams should be developing plans for your school's virtual kindergarten orientation activities. • Video message from Dr. Mullins will be sent to principals to be used as part of your orientation. • Consider recording your virtual kindergarten orientation to share with families who register later. https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=v. PMj 8 ze. VKBs

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First Grade Registration • Florida Department of Education kindergarten student enrollment data for 2020 -21 indicates a decrease of approximately 16, 000 kindergarten students statewide from the 2019 -20 school year. � Parents will be registering students for first grade that have either had no kindergarten or may have been home schooled this past year. How will we determine the correct grade level placement? 6

How do we place the student? • First determine the student’s age, all students entering first grade MUST be six on or before September 1 st, 2021, s. 1003. 21 (1)(b), F. S. • If the child is underage, but the parent has evidence showing completion of kindergarten in another state or country, contact Anne Cremeans in the Early Childhood Office. • BPS Student Progression Plan, page 16, item IV. Initial Entry into First Grade, states the following: 7

How do we place the student? IV. Initial Entry into First Grade: Children entering the first grade must comply with s. 1003. 21 (1)(b), F. S. . Any child who has attained the age of six (6) years on or before September 1 of the school year, and who has been enrolled in a public school or who has attained the age of six (6) years on or before September 1 st and has satisfactorily completed the requirements for kindergarten in a private school from which the district school board accepts transfer of academic credit, or who otherwise meets the criteria for admission or transfer in a manner applicable to other grades, shall progress according to the district’s student progression plan. Students transferring to first grade from a kindergarten program other than the one offered by the district will need written verification of satisfactory completion of kindergarten from the public or non-public school attended. 8

How do we place the student? Student Progression Plan, page 18, item VI. Home School Education K-8 s. 1002. 01(1), F. S. : Enrolling children from home education programs. 1. The following guidelines refer to children from Home Education Programs who enroll or re-enter a public school in the District. Current District policies govern the grade placement of any transfer students. 2. The principal or designee shall determine the grade placement through any of the following methods: a. Review of student portfolio; b. Administration of any assessments normally used; c. Testing using prior year course final examinations; and d. Any other assessments, written or oral, deemed appropriate by the principal and/or faculty. 9

Recommendations • Both the DOE and BPS want children back in school. We do not want children to miss a second year of instruction. • DOE recommendation: Evaluating students and placement in the appropriate grade level (e. g. advance to first grade if also age-eligible). • • Office staff awareness is critical, so parents are not given wrong information. • Assessments: Full KLS End of Year Assessment with running record End of the Year Math assessment • Each situation will be different, and it is the principal that should be having the conversation with the parent(s) regarding the most appropriate placement for their child. Have a plan in place on how you will address these situations prior to registration beginning. 10

VPK Registration • School Year VPK Summer VPK 2021 -2022 2021 Registration is April 12 -April 22 at selected schools • Children must be four on or before Sept. 1 st • Must have a VPK Certificate of Eligibility from the Early Learning Coalition • • Cambridge & Croton Elementary • • Registration begins May 3 • Must have a VPK Certificate of Eligibility from the Early Learning Coalition Summer VPK available for students who have not attended a school year VPK program Children must be four on or before Sept. 1 st 11

VPK Updates • • VPK Backpacks that have been used this year, will go home with the students at the end of this school year. NEW Backpacks will be provided for the 2021 -2022 school year, these new backpacks will need to be picked up in the boardroom on May 28 th, they will be stored at your school for use in the fall. Teacher considerations for VPK Blended classrooms. Staff changes in VPK classrooms, teacher and IA, greater than 7 days must be reported to Priscilla De. Nino and Joy Palatucci. 12

Questions? 13