BELLINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Bellingham Washington
Dear Parent:
The decision regarding your child's readiness for kindergarten is very complex and should not be taken lightly. This decision can have far-reaching and significant effects in influencing your child's future success in scholastic areas as well as feelings of self-worth, which, in fact, affect eventual life success.
Age requirements are established based upon the average age of readiness. However, each child is an individual and not all children are at an appropriate readiness level at the same chronological age. The age requirement is mandated by the state in order to standardize all public schools in Washington and to facilitate decision-making.
The Bellingham School District recognizes individual differences in children. Some children may be ready to enter kindergarten early and still achieve to their potential. Achievement equal to your child's potential should always be our common goal. The purpose of assessing your child's development before allowing early kindergarten is to assure that your child will be able to achieve academically and socially to potential and have a successful and rewarding school experience—not a frustrating and laborious one.
The assessment that we do in the summer includes evaluation of mental ability, fine and gross motor skills, visual and auditory discrimination and social/emotional development. The Bellingham School District has established a criterion that a child must achieve consistently in all of these areas at a level equal to or better than 75 out of 100 children of average kindergarten age, based upon national norms, in order to be admitted. Past records indicate that approximately twenty-five percent (25%) of those children evaluated for early kindergarten entry meet this criterion and are recommended for admission. The children applying for early entry are generally average to above average intellectually. The most common reasons for not recommending early entry is development below the criterion in fine/gross motor coordination and eye-hand coordination.
The actual time involved in testing and interviewing the parent(s) and child is approximately one and one-half hours. Scoring, interpreting and report writing take approximately one and one-half hours. Conference with the Deputy Superintendent and the meeting with the parent(s) regarding the results and recommendations take approximately one hour. The cost to the parent(s) for the assessment is $75.00. This figure is the actual cost to the District in contracting for this service.
Your child must turn five on or before October 1st in order to be considered for early entry to kindergarten or six on or before September 31st to be considered for early entry to the first grade. APPLICATIONS AND PAYMENT SHOULD BE RECEIVED BEFORE JUNE 12TH . At the time the application and payment is received, an appointment will be made for the first part of August for the assessment. Assessments are done close to the start of school in the Fall in order to take full advantage of your child's developmental changes as they apply to kindergarten readiness.
If you have any questions, please contact the principal of your neighborhood school or call the Student Services office at 676-2787. http://www.bham.wednet.edu/policies/3111Procedure.htm
BELLINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Bellingham Washington
APPLICATION FOR EARLY ADMITTANCE TO PUBLIC SCHOOL
YOUR CHILD MUST BE FIVE (5) YEARS OLD ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1st IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR EARLY ADMITTANCE TO KINDERGARTEN OR SIX (6) YEARS OLD ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 31st . TO BE CONSIDERED FOR EARLY ADMITTANCE TO FIRST GRADE.
CHILD:
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BIRTH DATE: |
ADDRESS:
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TELEPHONE: |
PARENTS: MOTHER: ______________________________ FATHER: ______________________________ |
WORK PLACE PHONE NUMBER(S) ________________________________________ ________________________________________
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NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL YOUR CHILD WOULD ATTEND: |
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HAS YOUR CHILD ATTENDED PRESCHOOL? YES LOCATION: NO |
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DATES: FROM: ________ TO: ________ HOW OFTEN: (days per week) ____ TEACHERS: |
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On the back of this application or on separate sheets, please describe the reason(s) you are seeking early admittance for your child. |
PARENT(S) SIGNATURE ________________________________________
________________________________________
NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL
PRINCIPAL'S SIGNATURE ________________________________________
DUE TO THE COST OF EARLY ADMITTANCE SCREENING, THERE IS A FEE FOR THIS SERVICE. CONTACT STUDENT SERVICES (676-2787) FOR THE FEE AMOUNT
APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE RETURNED WITH PAYMENT IN CHECK OR MONEY ORDER (NOT CASH) BY JUNE 15 TH . RETURN APPLICATON AND FEE TO:
Bellingham School District
Student Services Department
1306 Dupont Street
Bellingham WA 98225