For many years, the law has been that students must turn 5 on or before December 2 in order to attend Kindergarten. That law has changed. Over the next three years, that beginning date will be progressively earlier, as follows:

• For the 2012-13 school year, a child must turn 5 on or before November 1, 2012. 
• For the 2013-14 school year: A child must turn 5 on or before October 1, 2013.
• For the 2014-15 school year (and each year thereafter): A child must turn 5 on or before September 1, 2014.

The law also requires that districts offer a Transitional Kindergarten program, starting at the first day of the school year, for students whose birthday falls between the new date and December 2^nd of that school year. For students who attend Transitional Kindergarten, Kindergarten becomes a two-year program.

The Black Oak Mine Unified School District already offers a Transitional Kindergarten program (formerly called Preparatory Kindergarten or “Prep K”) held at Northside Elementary School that meets the requirements of this provision.  Students whose birthdate falls between the following dates for the associated school year will be eligible to enroll in Transitional Kindergarten:

• For the 2012-13 school year: Child turns 5 between Nov. 2^nd and Dec. 2^nd
• For the 2013-14 school year: Child turns 5 between Oct. 2^nd and Dec. 2^nd
• For the 2014-15 school year: Child turns 5 between Sept. 2^ndand Dec. 2^nd

In addition, the District will continue to offer Preparatory Kindergarten to eligible students with fifth birthdays in the late summer/fall months (even if they are old enough for kindergarten). The program is offered on a case-by-case basis. The District takes into consideration the developmental level of the student in making placement decisions.

For the first three years of Transitional Kindergarten, we have been able to place every student whose parents requested this option. We anticipate, going forward, to continue to honor most, if not all, placement requests.

Parents whose child will turn 5 after December 2^nd, may still place their child’s name on a list to be enrolled in Transitional Kindergarten as soon as s/he turns 5. Again, on a case-by-case basis, s/he will be placed if space is available.   For more information, call Drew Woodall at 333-8300.

Drew Woodall

Director of Educational Services

Black Oak Mine Unified School District

6540 Wentworth Springs Road

PO Box 4510

Georgetown, CA 95634

530-333-8300

School Readiness

Readiness means your child:

   * has a sense of self-worth

   * has a sense of trust, security and stability to be able to enter new situations and learn. 

   * can feel comfortable if s/he is away from you for several hours. 

   * is curious

   * can play with other children.

   * can play independently for short periods.

   * can listen to a story.

   * can use the bathroom by him or her self.

   * has the capacity to look and listen carefully and focus for short periods of time.

   * attend to and learn new skills and concepts.

When may my child begin school?

Children can enter school at the beginning of the school year if they will turn five years old by November 1^st of that year. Some children who enter school at age four are ready for Kindergarten; other children may not yet be ready.  You may not be sure if your child is ready for Kindergarten.  Talk with your child’s preschool teacher or the Kindergarten teacher before school starts to discuss any of these issues.  If your child has special needs,be sure to talk to the school and Kindergarten teacher before your child enters school.   Teachers and the school want to make sure that all children are successful as they transition to Kindergarten.

For those entering in 2012, children will need to by 5 by Nov 1, in 2013 children will need to be 5 by Oct. 1 and for 2014 and beyond, children will need to be 5 by Sept. 1 to enter Kindergarten.

Transitional Kindergarten Program

Not all children are ready for Kindergarten when they turn 5.  Because of this,

Black Oak Mine Unified School District now offers a Kindergarten Transitional program – a two-year Kindergarten experience for children who may not quite be ready for the full Kindergarten curriculum. 

Children who are 5 or will be 5 by Dec. 2^nd of 2012 may enter this program at the beginning of the school year; children who turn 5 after November 1^st may enter when they turn 5 may enter when they turn 5through the end of February 2013.  If you are interested in this option for your child, please discuss this with the school district personnel when you come to Kindergarten Round-up. 

A transitional year of Kindergarten means that your child will experience a positive socially and emotionally appropriate year and be exposed to the concepts and skills taught in Kindergarten at a pace that is appropriate for them.  Your child will then be fully ready for Kindergarten the following year.  We are very excited to offer this program to all families in our area.  For more information call Drew Woodall, Director of Educational Services at 333-8300 or Monica Woodall at Northside School 885-4079.

Tips From First 5 California

Each and every day there are lots of fun and simple things you can do with your child to help his or her development and ensure a better start in life. Children learn while watching you and by playing, so make these activities a time of fun and bonding between the two of you. Here are some examples:

• Read, Sing and Talk: By talking to children in full sentences from the moment they are born, you help them build a basis for language and dialogue. This stimulates their minds and helps them develop verbal skills.

• Walks: Take a walk with your child and count how many houses you have passed. You can also encourage a conversation by asking him or her what color things are in your surrounding environment. Point out signs and ask about the letters you see.

• Helping with Chores: When your child is old enough, he or she can begin helping you around the house. This will make him or her feel important and useful, and will help him or her develop confidence, as well as valuable math and verbal skills. For example:

• Sorting Laundry: Your child can help you sort laundry by colors. Have him or her say the color out loud and help him or her differentiate between dark and light.

• Cooking: Have your child help with cooking by getting ingredients for you. You can ask him or her to give you a certain amount of something like potatoes. This will not only help encourage his or her verbal skills, but will help develop his or her math skills too.

More Tips

1. Read out loud to your child every day.
2. Use board books for babies and young children.
3. Tell stories.
4. Take your child to reading programs.
5. Let your child draw and write.
6. Visit the library.
7. Limit TV watching and when you watch, choose educational programs and watch together.
8. Read yourself and make it a family activity.

Some Quick Facts

• Ninety percent of brain development occurs before age 5.
• Studies show that a child who is rarely spoken to or read to in the early years may have difficulty mastering language skills later in life.
• Only 53 percent of children ages 3 to 5 are read to daily.
• A child who is rarely played with may have difficulty with social adjustment as he or she grows.
• A child who is held and nurtured in a time of stress is less likely to respond with violence later.