DublinCitySchoolDistrict AParent’sGuideforEarlyAdmissionto KindergartenorFirstGrade GiftedServicesDepartment AParent’sGuideto EarlyEntrancetoKindergarten/1stGrade 2016-2017 IsEarlyEntrancetoKindergartenor1stGrade theBestChoiceforYourChild? __________________________________________________________ Earlyentranceshouldbeviewedasameansofmeetingachild’sneeds.Achild’s birthdatedoesnotindicatereadinessforKindergarten.Thekeytodetermining whetherornotearlyentranceisappropriateforachildisdevelopmental readiness,bothacademicallyandsocially.Eventhoughachildmayhavestrong ability,he/shemaynotbereadyforKindergarten.Socialmaturity,personal development,andmotordevelopmentareimportantfactorsforachild’ssuccessin school. Earlyentranceisdesignedfortheexceptionalchildwhoisbothacademically readyaswellasdevelopmentallymaturewhencomparedtoothershisorher chronologicalage.Someconsiderationswhendeterminingifearlyentranceisright forachild: •Ismychildcapableofworkinginaclassroomsettingwithchildrenwhoare onetotwoyearsolder? •Willmychildbefrustratedbythisplacement? •Whatarethepossiblelong-termimpactsformychildashe/sheprogresses throughelementary,middleandhighschool? •Earlyentranceisnotdesignedasareplacementforchildcare.Isthisaneed orawant? •DoIunderstandtheexpectationsforstudentsinkindergartentoday?(See OhioDepartmentofEducationKGCurriculumContentStandards– o http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Ohio-s-New-LearningStandards/Ohios-New-Learning-Standards •DoIunderstandtheexpectationsforstudentsin1stgradetoday?(SeeOhio DepartmentofEducation1stGradeCurriculumContentStandards– o http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Ohio-s-New-LearningStandards/Ohios-New-Learning-Standards Thereisadifferencebetweenabilityandachievement.Somechildrenmayappear exceptionalsimplybecauseoftheiraccesstoopportunities(e.g.,preschool programs,parentsworkingwiththemonskills,oraccesstolearningmaterials). Earlyentranceisdesignedforthechildwhonotonlyhasabilitybuteasilyachieves whenpresentednewmaterial. Oncethedecisionhasbeenmadeforearlyentrance,thechoiceisdifficulttoreverse. Ifachildisevaluatedasagoodcandidateforearlyentrancetokindergarten,itis importantthatallstakeholdersaresupportiveofthedecision. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ DublinCitySchools Page- 2 - AParent’sGuideto EarlyEntrancetoKindergarten/1stGrade 2016-2017 Whattolookforintheareasofability/achievement/aptitude/behavior? Mychildseemsadvancedbeyondotherchildrenhis/herageintheseways: • Readsandunderstandstextinpicturebooksorchapterbooks. • Iswritingfullname,phrases,andsentences. •Figuresoutmath-relatedproblemsbetterthanotherchildrenhis/herage. • Isabletocorrectlysolvemathcomputationproblems. • Isabletoidentify,write,andrepresentnumericvalues0–20. •Understandsthemeaninganduseofwordsbetterthanotherchildrenhis/her age. •Iscuriousaboutmanythingsandasksquestionsoften. •Isverygoodatworkingpuzzlesorsolvingproblems. •Hasagreatsenseofhumorandunderstandsjokesmorethanotherchildren his/herage. •Hasagoodmemoryandremembersdetailsofconversationsorstories. •Isinterestedindifficultconceptssuchastimeandspace. •Concentratesoncertainactivitiesmuchlongerthanotherchildrenhis/herage. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ DublinCitySchools Page- 3 - AParent’sGuideto EarlyEntrancetoKindergarten/1stGrade 2016-2017 OhioDepartmentofEducation–Policyand ProceduresforEarlyEntrance ToKindergarten/1stGrade __________________________________________________________ 1. RequestingEarlyAdmission–Ohio Aparentmayrequestearlyadmissiontokindergartenifthechildturnsfiveyearsof ageafterthedistrict’skindergartenentrancedate(Sept.30)andbeforeJanuary1. Thelocalboardofeducationshalldetermineentrancethroughastandardized testingprogram. 2. ReferralbyanEducator Childrenwhowillnotyetbetheproperageforentrancetokindergartenorfirst gradebythefirstdayofJanuaryoftheschoolyearforwhichadmissionisrequested shallalsobeevaluatedforpossibleearlyadmittanceifreferredbyaneducator withinthedistrict,apreschooleducatorwhoknowsthechild,orpediatricianor psychologistwhoknowsthechild. 3. Acceleration StateofOhio EarlyentrancetoKindergarten/1stgradeisasubjecttypicallyaddressedthrough giftededucation.ItiscoveredintheStateofOhio’sModelStudentAcceleration Policy.AccordingtotheOhioRevisedCode(3324.01),“gifted”meansstudentswho performorshowpotentialforperformingatremarkablyhighlevelsof accomplishmentwhencomparedtoothersoftheirage,experience,orenvironment andwhoareidentifiedunderDivision(A),(B),(C),or(D)ofSection3324.03ofthe RevisedCode. Auniquetypeofwhole-gradeaccelerationisearlyentrance(i.e.,kindergartenor firstgrade).Foracademicallytalentedyoungchildren,earlyentrancetoschoolmay beanexcellentoption.Thereisabundantevidencethatbrightchildrenwhoare carefullyselectedforearlyentrancegenerallyperformverywell,bothacademically andsocially(ANationDeceived:howSchoolsHoldBackAmerica’sBrightest Students,2004). ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ DublinCitySchools Page- 4 - AParent’sGuideto EarlyEntrancetoKindergarten/1stGrade 2016-2017 DublinCitySchools-DistrictProcedurefor EarlyEntranceKG/1stGrade __________________________________________________________ 1. AgeEligibility Astudentmustbeagefive(5)toenterkindergartenoragesix(6)toentergrade one.Compulsoryschoolageissix(6).However,ifachildenterskindergartenatage 5,heorsheisconsideredtobeofcompulsoryschoolage.Nodistrictshalladmitto thefirstgradeachildwhohasnotsuccessfullycompletedkindergarten.TheDublin CitySchoolDistrictconsidersachildeligibleforentranceinto“regular” kindergartenifhe/sheattainstheageoffiveonorbeforeSeptember30thofthe yearhe/sheappliesforentrance.Achildundertheageofsix(6)whoisenrolledin kindergartenwillbeconsideredofcompulsoryschoolage. 2. BoardofEducationAdoptedStateofOhioPolicy OnSeptember18,2006theDublinBoardofEducationadoptedtheStateofOhio’s ModelStudentAccelerationPolicyforAdvancedLearners: “Childrenwhoarereferredforevaluationforpossibleacceleratedplacement 60ormoredayspriortothestartoftheschoolyearshallbeevaluatedin advanceofthestartoftheschoolyearsothatthechildmaybeplacedinthe acceleratedplacementonthefirstdayofschool.” “Childrenwhowillnotyetbetheproperageforentrancetokindergartenor firstgradebythefirstdayofJanuaryoftheschoolyearforwhichadmissionis requestedshallalsobeevaluatedforpossibleearlyadmittanceifreferredby aneducatorwithinthedistrict,apre-schooleducatorwhoknowsthechild,or pediatricianorpsychologistwhoknowsthechild.Childrenwhowillnotyetbe theproperageforentrancetokindergartenorfirstgradebythefirstdayof Januaryoftheschoolyearforwhichadmissionisrequestedmayalsobe evaluatedforpossibleearlyadmittanceatthediscretionoftheprincipalofthe schooltowhichthestudentmaybeadmitted.” ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ DublinCitySchools Page- 5 - AParent’sGuideto EarlyEntrancetoKindergarten/1stGrade 2016-2017 ExpectationsofKindergartenStudents __________________________________________________________ 1. Introduction Kindergarten,likemanyotherareasofeducation,haschangedconsiderably. Today’skindergartenstudentsareengagedinarigorousinstructionalprogram.In addition,Ohio’snewlearningstandardsaremorerigorousandextensivewith respecttoexpectationsofyoungstudent’slearningreadiness. Whataresomeimportantschoolandacademicfactors? Mychild: •Enjoyslearningnewinformationorskills; •Participatesincommunity-sponsoredactivitiessuchassports,dance,gymnastics, libraryandmuseumprograms; •Believeshe/sheiscapableofsucceedingatnewtasks. •Hastheabilitytoattend,orpayattention,forrelativelylongperiodsofinstruction. •He/shecandrawandtracebasicshapesandcutwithscissors. Whataresomeimportantdevelopmentalfactors? Mychildhasthefollowingdevelopmentalcharacteristics: •He/shehasaveragefineandlargemotorcoordination(i.e.,holdingapencil, skipping); •He/sheisabletousethecomputertoplaygamesorfindinformation. •He/shecanusethebathroomwithoutadulthelp. •He/shecanbuttonandzipupshirtsandpants,tieorVelcroshoesandputonand takeoffhis/hercoat. •Hastheabilitytoseparatefromtheparentwithoutbeingupset. Whataresomeimportantinterpersonalskillsforenteringschool? Mychild: •Thoughtfullyconsidersfeedbackandcriticismandmodifiesbehaviorappropriately; •Oftenbehavesinawaythatispositiveandeffective; •Hasgoodinterpersonalskillswithage-mates,aswellaswithbotholderand youngerchildrenandwithadults; •Hasexcellentinterpersonalrelationshipswithadultsinateachingrole. •Hastheabilitytofollowroutines. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ DublinCitySchools Page- 6 - AParent’sGuideto EarlyEntrancetoKindergarten/1stGrade 2016-2017 Whataresomeimportantattitudesandsupportsnecessaryforsuccessin school? Mychildisenthusiasticaboutgoingtokindergartenorfirstgrade. Asaparent,Iunderstandthatachild’ssuccessinschooldependsonsupport providedathome.Iamabletogivemychildadditionalsupporttohelpinhis/her transitiontoanewsettingwithmuchhigheracademicdemandsthanhe/she encounteredinpreschool. 2. OhioDepartmentofEducationWebsite ParentscaneasilyaccessmoreinformationaboutKindergartenattheOhio DepartmentofEducationwebsite. http://education.ohio.gov/ http://education.ohio.gov/getattachment/Topics/AcademicContent-Standards/Social-Studies/Kindergarten-Social-StudiesModel-Curriculum_April2014.pdf.aspx http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Early-Learning/GuidanceAbout-Kindergarten/Ohios-New-Kindergarten-ReadinessAssessment http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Other-Resources/GiftedEducation/Resources-for-Parents/The-Young-Gifted-Child TheOhioDepartmentofEducation’swebsitealsocontainsusefulinformationabout thenextgenerationofassessments. Understandingachild’slearninganddevelopmentiscriticaltobothfamiliesand educators.Infall2014,anewkindergartenreadinessassessmentcalledStart StrongreplacedtheKRA-L.StartStrongwillgivekindergartenteachersa comprehensivepictureofachild’slearninganddevelopmentatkindergartenentry, pinpointingwhereeachchildisinphysicalwell-beingandmotordevelopment, languageandliteracy,mathematics,science,socialstudiesandsocialskills. 3. DublinCitySchoolDistrict’sKindergartenProgram KindergartenintheDublinCitySchoolDistrictisahalf-dayprogram.(AM Kindergartenisfrom9:10-11:50am.andPMKindergartenisfrom1:00-3:40pm). ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ DublinCitySchools Page- 7 - AParent’sGuideto EarlyEntrancetoKindergarten/1stGrade 2016-2017 OhioDepartmentofEducation(ODE) http://www.ode.state.oh.us _________________________________________________________________________________________________ KindergartenReadinessChecklist Todowellinschool,childrenneedtobesupportedandnurturedinallareasof development. Itisalsoimportantthatyourchildisphysically,sociallyandemotionallyreadyfor school.Thischecklistcanhelpserveasyourguide.Butpleaseremember,young childrenchangesofast.Iftheycannotdosomethingthisweek,youmayseethemdo itacoupleof Isyourchildreadyforkindergarten?Askyourselfthesequestions: DevelopmentArea TipsandActivitiestoHelpPrepareYourChild PhysicalSkills-Doesyourchild… ▪Materialsthatwillhelpyourchilddevelopthemotorskills ▪enjoyoutdoorplaysuchasrunning,jumping,andclimbing; neededtolearntowriteincludecrayons,markers,pencils, ▪drawandtracebasicshapes; glue,scissors,paperandpaint,puzzles,legosandblocks. ▪cutwithscissors; ▪Activitiesthatwillhelpyourchild’scoordinationinclude ▪bounceaball; climbing,jumping,skipping,playingball,using ▪rideatricycle? playgroundequipmentandridingatricycle. HealthandSafetyNeeds-Hasyourchild… ▪hadrequiredshots(orprovideasignedwaiver); ▪Helpyourchildlearnhisorherfullname,addressand ▪hadadentalexam; telephonenumber. ▪hadavisionexam; ▪Helpyourchildtolookbothwayswhencrossingthestreet. ▪learnedownfirstandlastname; ▪Talkwithyourchildaboutstrangersandwhotogotofor ▪learnedfirstandlastnameofparent; help. ▪learnedtowatchforcarswhencrossingthestreet; ▪Usebedtimeastheopportunitytoreadtoandtalkwith ▪learnedtonottalktostrangers; yourchild. ▪developedasetroutineforgoingtobed;learnedtofollow safetyrules? Personalneeds-Withoutyourhelp,canyourchild… ▪Createmorningandbedtimebathingandtooth-brushing ▪usethebathroom; routines. ▪washhands; ▪Allowyourchildtodressthemselves ▪brushteeth; ▪Practiceputtingonshoes ▪usetissuetoblownose; ▪Helpyourchildlearntousetheirwordstotellother ▪buttonandzipupshirtsandpants; grownupswhentheyarefeelingsickorhurt. ▪putonandtakeoffcoat; ▪tieand/orusevelcroshoes? SocialandEmotionalSkills-Doesyourchild… ▪Giveyourchildsmallchorestolearnresponsibility. ▪playwellwithotherchildren; ▪Helpyourchildlearntofollowdirectionsbygiving ▪separatefromaparentwithoutbeingupset; simplesteps. ▪sharewithotherchildren; ▪Encourageyourchildtoshare. ▪careaboutthefeelingsofothers; ▪Praiseyourchildwhenheorshedoessomethingwell. ▪followroutines; ▪Provideguidancewhenyourchildishavingdifficulty ▪puttoysawaywhenasked? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ DublinCitySchools Page- 8 - AParent’sGuideto EarlyEntrancetoKindergarten/1stGrade 2016-2017 ApplyingforEarlyEntranceto Kindergarten/1stgrade Spring2016 __________________________________________________________ •Uponreviewoftheaforementionedinformationyoubelievethatyourchildmeets thecriteriaforconsiderationofearlyentrancescreening,pleaseobtainan applicationpacketbyvisitingourwebsite:www.dublinschools.net/gifted.aspxor requestapapercopyatanyoftheelementaryschoolsordistrictcentraloffice. ApplicationpacketswillbeavailableMonday,March28throughFriday,April15. •YourcompletedapplicationmustbereturnedtotheGiftedServicesDepartment nolaterthan5:00p.m.Friday,April15,2016. •Forthe2016-17academicyear,theevaluationswillbecoordinatedthroughthe GiftedServicesDepartment.Afteranapplicationhasbeenreceived,parentswillbe notifiedviaemail: • Confirmationofreceiptofcompletedapplicationand • Scheduledday/time/locationforearlyentrancescreening ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ DublinCitySchools Page- 9 - AParent’sGuideto EarlyEntrancetoKindergarten/1stGrade 2016-2017 TheEvaluationProcess __________________________________________________________ HowwillmychildbeevaluatedforearlyentrancetoKindergarten/1stgrade? •ScreeningofviablecandidateswilltakeplacetheweekofJune13,2016. •TheOhioDepartmentofEducationhasonitswebsiteachecklistforkindergarten readiness.Whenlookingatwhetherearlyentranceisappropriateforachild,the samereadinessguidelineswillbeconsidered. •BecauseacademicreadinessisimportantforsuccessinKindergarten/1stgrade, studentsaregiventheWoodcockJohnsonIIIachievementscreeningtest(brief assessment).StudentswhoareviablecandidatesforEarlyEntranceto Kindergarten/1stgradeareexpectedtodisplayacademicachievementthatis comparabletothetypicalKindergarten/1stgradestudent. Instrumentsused: INDIVIDUALINTELLIGENCETESTS WechslerIntelligenceScaleforChildren,FourthEdition(WISC-IV). AccordingtotheIowaAccelerationScale,3rdEdition,astudentwhomeetsthe CriticalItem(SectionIII)ofonestandarddeviationabovethemean(115)isaviable candidateforacceleration.Studentsmaymoveonintheprocessforconsideration, butwhole-gradeaccelerationisnotrecommendedifacriticalitemisnotmet. Agiftedidentificationintheareaofsuperiorcognitiveabilitiesismetwithascoreof 127ontheWISC-IV. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ DublinCitySchools Page- 10 - AParent’sGuideto EarlyEntrancetoKindergarten/1stGrade 2016-2017 TimelineforEarlyEntrancetoKindergarten Spring2016 __________________________________________________________ March28-April15 EarlyEntrancetokindergarten/1stgradeapplications Returnapplicationto:GiftedServices 7030CoffmanRd.,Dublin,OH43017 oremailitto: evans_kim@dublinschols.net April15,5:00p.m Deadlinetocompleteapplication June13-17 Evaluationsforearlyentrance June24 Verbal/Writtennotificationofoutcomeoftheevaluation process IMPORTANT Veryfewchildrenqualifyforearlyentrancetokindergarten.(Pleasemakesureyouproceedwithchildcare arrangementsasacontingency.)IfyouareselectingaPreschoolprogrampleaseunderstandthatthose programsroutinelyfillupquickly.Pleaseregisteryourchildasyounormallywould,butletthePreschool Officeknowthatyourchildisbeingscreenedforearlyentrancetokindergarten. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ DublinCitySchools Page- 11 - AParent’sGuideto EarlyEntrancetoKindergarten/1stGrade 2016-2017 DUBLINCITYSCHOOLDISTRICT ELEMENTARYSCHOOLS __________________________________________________________ BaileyElementary(MaryEmma) Mr.TylerWolfe,Principal 4900BrandonwayDrive Dublin,OH43017 717-6611 717-6610(FAX) DeerRunElementary Ms.SusannWittig,Principal 8815AveryRd. Dublin,OH43017 764-5932 718-8759(FAX) OldeSawmillElementary Ms.MarthaBarley,Principal 2485OldeSawmillBlvd. Dublin,OH43016 764-5936 764-5988(FAX) PinneyElementary Mr.TroyEhrsam,Principal 9989ConcordRd. Dublin,OH43017 798-3570 718-8961(FAX) ChapmanElementary(Albert) Mr.ScottZeoli,Principal 8450SawmillRd. Powell,OH43065 761-5864 761-5867(FAX) GlacierRidgeElementary Mr.PeterKurty,Principal 7175GlalcierRidgeBlvd. Dublin,OH43017 733-0012 733-0785(FAX) IndianRunElementary RiversideElementary Ms.StaciLutz,Principal 3260RiversideGreenDr. Dublin,OH43017 764-5940 764-5987(FAX) Ms.JenniferSchwanke,Principal 80WestBridgeSt. Dublin,OH43017 764-5928 764-5998(FAX) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ DublinCitySchools Page- 12 - AParent’sGuideto EarlyEntrancetoKindergarten/1stGrade ScottishCornersElementary Ms.JanetRinefierd,Principal 5950SellsMillDr. Dublin,OH43017 764-5963 761-5814(FAX) WrightElementary(Daniel) Ms.JennyDavis,Principal 4671TuttleCrossingBlvd. Columbus,OH43235 764-5970 718-8879(FAX) 2016-2017 ThomasElementary(Griffith) Mr.BrianBlum,Principal 2335WestCaseRd. Dublin,OH43017 538-0464 538-4069(FAX) WyandotElementary Ms.HeatherHabrecht,Principal 5620DublinshireDr. Dublin,OH43017 761-5840 718-8929(FAX) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ DublinCitySchools Page- 13 -