Children, both excited and apprehensive, took a big step in their young lives recently when they attended pre-K screening and kindergarten registration. Specific dates are set aside each year for Warren County youngsters 4 and 5 years of age to get registered for their first days of school.
Parents or guardians took time to fill out the numerous papers required, as children played in a special play area for them complete with large building blocks, extra large Legos and even a miniature kitchen.
Pre-K classes are available at each county school, with a maximum of 20 children in each class. These children must be 4 years old by Aug. 15 to be eligible. Stations are designated to check children’s vision, provided by area Lions Clubs, with hearing and speech checked by school system personnel.
“We have 160 openings for 4-year-olds,” said screening coordinator Melany Crothers. “This is a great preparatory program for them before entering kindergarten.”
Crothers reported they screened 205 students in the two-day event for pre-K, which was up considerable from previous years.
The students registering for kindergarten were a little more excited about the upcoming transition.
“Some children have been to pre-K, and some have not,” said screening coordinator Janet Nunley. “This gives us an indicator of how the child will begin the year. You can’t pass or fail, it just lets us know where they start.”
Area teachers representing their schools visited with each child, testing them on academics, colors, counting and some coordination skills.
Four-year-old Caleb McAllister aced the jumping part, as he jumped on one foot across the gym floor.
“He is so excited about starting pre-K,” said his mother Katie Willis. “He is child number four, so he wants to be like the other kids and go to school.”
Crothers was pleased with the turnout and appreciates all the hard work exhibited to make the registration a success. The teaching staff was assisted by Warren County High School child care workers, who monitored different stations and assisting with needs of the children.
Kindergarten screening is mandatory, but Crothers said children can still apply, but they need to contact the school they will be attending.