More Options for Kindergarteners This Fall

Fountain Valley parents were introduced to new kindergarten options for the 2011-2012 school year at a meeting Tuesday night.

Fountain Valley School District Deputy Superintendent Rosemary Eadie presented the new programs, All Day Kindergarten and Preppie K, which will be piloted at Newland and Tamura Elementary Schools this fall.

All Day Kindergarten is a one-year program that will allow teachers more time to focus on the academics of early reading, writing and math, as well as introducing students to social studies, science and physical education curriculums. Students enrolled in this program will move on to the next school year or remain for one more year in kindergarten if they are not prepared for first grade.  

Parents who feel that their children are not quite ready for a rigorous academic year may consider Preppie K, a two-year program that provides students “the gift of time” through extensive practice of the basics during the student’s first year, before proceeding to All Day Kindergarten in their second year to complete the program. 

Children considered in the Preppie K must have birthdays between July 2006 and Dec. 2, 2006, and must be dedicated to the program for the full two years. Both All Day Kindergarten and Preppie K will run from 8:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Newland and 8 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. at Tamura. 

Registration will begin Wednesday, March 16 from 9 a.m. to 11: 30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Newland and 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Tamura, Monday through Friday. In addition to completing a registration packet, parents must also submit a copy of birth certificate, up-to-date shot records and a proof of residency before consideration.

Students will be accepted into the chosen programs on a first-come, first-served based on a date stamp, given after all required forms are received by each school. Students living within Fountain Valley School District will receive priority. 

For children under the age of five, child care programs focusing on positive development were also made available. FVSD state preschool is offered at Plavan and Oka for low-incomed families, two parent-funded child development centers at Newland and Oka, and also at Newland is the award-winning Fountain Valley Children's Center.

For more information, visit FVSD or call (714) 962-4099.