From the Superintendent’s Desk: Kindergarten registration begins in April
David Burleson / Special to The Avery Journal-Times
In my capacity as superintendent of Avery County Schools, I have often said, “I do indeed have the best job.” I feel this because I get to work with all departments and staff in the system, the students, the curriculum, a caring board and the wonderful community members who make up Avery County. Now, having said that, I must add that when school board members, county commissioners, parents and community members work together, our students benefit.
The time in which we welcome our new class of kindergarteners is just around the corner and the opportunity to get to work with another group of parents and students. As a school system, we are very excited to announce our schedule for the 2012 kindergarten registration and to provide necessary information for parents.
A child is eligible for kindergarten in North Carolina if he/she will be five-years-old on or before Aug. 31, 2012. Please contact your local elementary school to put your child’s name on the upcoming kindergarten list.
At kindergarten registration, children and parents will explore the kindergarten classrooms, meet teachers and administrators, make new friends and enjoy a short ride on a school bus while learning about school bus safety. All registering children and parents are invited to have lunch in the school cafeteria compliments of a local business.
Also at kindergarten registration, each child will have the opportunity to receive a dental screening, vision screening and fingerprinting. For children with medication requirements or special health considerations, a school nurse will be available to meet with parents to discuss medication or health needs.
Newland Elementary will have two registrations on April 3, 2012. A drop in registration between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m., with lunch served between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and a registration session for Spanish-speaking parents beginning at 12 p.m. on April 3.
Kindergarten registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at all other elementary schools on the following dates:
• April 5, 2012: Banner Elk Elementary• April 17, 2012: Freedom Trail Elementary• April 24, 2012: Riverside Elementary• April 25, 2012: Crossnore Elementary
During these dates at the respective schools, pre-k and kindergarten students will not be attending school. This allows our kindergarten staff to meet with parents to welcome the class of 2025.
Items to bring to registration
• Birth certificate• Current up to date immunization record• Current kindergarten health assessment (must be current within one year)• Proof of residence• Completed forms that are mailed to you by your school principal
Immunization information
Students entering Avery County Schools for the first time must be up to date with the required immunizations for North Carolina. For most children this will be the four-year-old shots. Click to http://www.immunizenc.org for a list of immunizations required for public school entry. Note that the 30th calendar day for 2012-13 will be on Sept 7, 2012, therefore any student who is not up to date with the required immunizations will be excluded from school until the immunizations are up to date or the proper exemption statements are in place. These are not considered to be excused absences, per N.C. Immunization Law General Statues of N.C. Chapter 130A, Article 6.
Kindergarten Health Assessment
NC Kindergarten Health Assessment must be completed by a healthcare provider on first time admission to kindergarten in North Carolina. If this is not on file by the 30th calendar day of school the student will be excluded until this KHA is current. For more information, click to http://www.ncdhhs.gov/dph/wch/doc/aboutus/KHA_1-11.pdf.
Child Nutrition Services
For information on the school lunch program free and reduced applications or if your child has a food allergy, click to http://www.averyschools.net//Domain/15.
A very special thank you to our school nurses Messie Harris, Twila Ingwerson and Andrea Buchanan, along with Candace Englert and a wonderful team of kindergarten teachers and teacher assistants, who have developed and refined this process.
Don’t hesitate to let us know if we can answer any questions or assist you in any way.
David BurlesonSuperintendent
The time in which we welcome our new class of kindergarteners is just around the corner and the opportunity to get to work with another group of parents and students. As a school system, we are very excited to announce our schedule for the 2012 kindergarten registration and to provide necessary information for parents.
A child is eligible for kindergarten in North Carolina if he/she will be five-years-old on or before Aug. 31, 2012. Please contact your local elementary school to put your child’s name on the upcoming kindergarten list.
At kindergarten registration, children and parents will explore the kindergarten classrooms, meet teachers and administrators, make new friends and enjoy a short ride on a school bus while learning about school bus safety. All registering children and parents are invited to have lunch in the school cafeteria compliments of a local business.
Also at kindergarten registration, each child will have the opportunity to receive a dental screening, vision screening and fingerprinting. For children with medication requirements or special health considerations, a school nurse will be available to meet with parents to discuss medication or health needs.
Newland Elementary will have two registrations on April 3, 2012. A drop in registration between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m., with lunch served between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and a registration session for Spanish-speaking parents beginning at 12 p.m. on April 3.
Kindergarten registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at all other elementary schools on the following dates:
• April 5, 2012: Banner Elk Elementary• April 17, 2012: Freedom Trail Elementary• April 24, 2012: Riverside Elementary• April 25, 2012: Crossnore Elementary
During these dates at the respective schools, pre-k and kindergarten students will not be attending school. This allows our kindergarten staff to meet with parents to welcome the class of 2025.
Items to bring to registration
• Birth certificate• Current up to date immunization record• Current kindergarten health assessment (must be current within one year)• Proof of residence• Completed forms that are mailed to you by your school principal
Immunization information
Students entering Avery County Schools for the first time must be up to date with the required immunizations for North Carolina. For most children this will be the four-year-old shots. Click to http://www.immunizenc.org for a list of immunizations required for public school entry. Note that the 30th calendar day for 2012-13 will be on Sept 7, 2012, therefore any student who is not up to date with the required immunizations will be excluded from school until the immunizations are up to date or the proper exemption statements are in place. These are not considered to be excused absences, per N.C. Immunization Law General Statues of N.C. Chapter 130A, Article 6.
Kindergarten Health Assessment
NC Kindergarten Health Assessment must be completed by a healthcare provider on first time admission to kindergarten in North Carolina. If this is not on file by the 30th calendar day of school the student will be excluded until this KHA is current. For more information, click to http://www.ncdhhs.gov/dph/wch/doc/aboutus/KHA_1-11.pdf.
Child Nutrition Services
For information on the school lunch program free and reduced applications or if your child has a food allergy, click to http://www.averyschools.net//Domain/15.
A very special thank you to our school nurses Messie Harris, Twila Ingwerson and Andrea Buchanan, along with Candace Englert and a wonderful team of kindergarten teachers and teacher assistants, who have developed and refined this process.
Don’t hesitate to let us know if we can answer any questions or assist you in any way.
David BurlesonSuperintendent