| Author | Message | ||
     Nakaille |
Can someone post the specifics of how to register for kindergarten? I know we're districted for Clinton (and that we have a choice for SB) and that we'll need to provide some documentation but that's all I know. Do we go to the BOE? or to Clinton? or what? What should we bring? Do we need an appt or are there specific times of day or can we just walk in anytime during school hours? Just trying to keep our options open. Thanks for your help. Bacata | ||
| Mim |
Yep, go to the BOE and ask for a registration packet. After you fill out all the forms and assemble the required documentation (which is not insubstantial, despite all that you may hear to the contrary on this board), you'll have to return to the BOE in person to turn it all in. Check with the person in the registration office there -- I believe she only accepts these packets during certain hours (mornings?). | ||
| Nakaille |
Thanks, Mim. Can the initial request for a packet be made by telephone? I'd hate to lose two mornings at work to do this. Bacata | ||
| Ffof |
Bacata- You should call the BOE with that question (762-5600 at 525 Academy Street). But one thing that is for certain, the registration is only Mon through Fri during BOE hours (8:30 to 4:30?) so it is not easy for working parents to register a child. Even after much pleading, they haven't budged on this. | ||
| Mim |
No, they do NOT make it easy. I work in NYC so for me it has meant coming in late TWO days -- one to get the packet (which takes 30 seconds, but you have to hang around Maplewood until they open, at 8:30, I think), and another to drop it off. AND you can only drop it off when the registration lady decrees that she will accept them, before noon, as I recall. But check first! | ||
| Debby |
I just went through this, too. I believe the registar's office is open until 1:30, but call to check. You have to pick up the packet in person (perhaps you could ask a neighbor to do this for you), and then assemble the packet which has to be delivered by you. The packet includes several forms (registration info, emergency release cards, medical and immunization forms - to be completed by your pediatrician). You'll also need to bring a mortgage or tax statement and utility bills, as well as your daughter's birth certificate. I don't know whether either you or your partner appear on your daughter's birth certificate, but if I not I suppose you may need to provide some sort of adoption documentation. Good luck! P.S. If you want AM kindergarten, you'd better get hopping - it fills up fast. | ||
| Justmelaura |
Nakaille - I hope you choose Clinton. We are new to the school, but I have 3 children in the school(K, 2nd and 5th) and think that you would really like it. The principal is very parent friendly and I have been pleased with my kids education. It seems to be a very parent involved school that is looking to expand with more clubs, etc for the kids. My daughter (5th grade, Explorations student, overachiever...) says she really likes the school because the kids don't judge you by what you wear and aren't 'cliquish' (sp?). I am at the school fairly often and many kids recognize me and are very friendly (constant hugs, and waves 'Hey Max's Mom! Can I come over today?') I know parents who have returned (due to redistricting, trying Seth Boyden, etc) because they missed the family atmosphere and neighborhood feel of the school. Anyway, best of luck with the registration process, give yourself a good night to fill in all the paperwork and collect all the documentation, it was gruelling getting it all together for 3 kids! | ||
| Mim |
I have to chime in here with more praise of Clinton! I sense that it is an underappreciated school -- perceived as sharing most of Seth Boyden's supposed problems, without the plus of the new demo school. But everything Justmelaura says is true. I also want to stress that there are WONDERFUL teachers at Clinton, a fact recognized throughout the district by those who stay informed on these things. I never walk out of Clinton without a positive feeling about the place, and I think most parents and students share my enthusiasm. | ||
| Lisat |
Nakaille - Just wanted to say that we picked up registration packets for our neighbors, so the BOE will hand it over to anyone. (If you can't find anyone you know who can go, I'd be happy to pick it up and you can pick it up at my house after work on on the weekend sometime. My email is killerillos@aol.com And although I've heard good things about SB and am considering it for my kindergartener, one of my best friends who writes educational materials and teacher's guides for a living has 2 children in Clinton and likes it very much. She's volunteered in the classroom consistently and feels welcome at the school. My friend also told me (as have others) that Clinton would be the next elementary school to implement the multiple intelligences teaching approach. If you might be interested in SB, it's a separate form to fill out and they want it April 1st through April ? (might want to check on this info). I don't know that they're accepting it before that date. I think you can just mail that one in though. Also, if you need a.m. or p.m. kindergarten, you need to write a letter to the principal requesting it and send it in with the package. I don't know if first-come-first-served affects this decision at all. Good luck. Lisa | ||
| Ashear |
The school district website says registration hours are 9-12:45. There is also a phone number. http://www.somsd.k12.nj.us/registration.htm | ||
| Nakaille |
Thanks for all the great info, everyone. We'll probably ask a friend who has flexible hours in town to pick up a packet for us. We're leaning toward Clinton because we've heard it is a good school and because it is my understanding that the afterschool program includes a Mandarin segment. And since we're in Mandarin class every Saturday it seemed like a nice way to deepen that experience. Does anyone have experience with this program? I'm glad to hear that Clinton will be using a multiple intelligences approach eventually. Julia probably won't enter Clinton until first grade but it's just not clear yet whether her preschool will be running a kindergarten class in the fall. We really hope they do as she has been very happy there but with most towns running full day kindergarten there just isn't the need that there used to be (for the sake of working parents.) Anyway, just in case I figured we should enroll now and then let them know if we won't be using the slot for September. I hate the idea that she could end up in afternoon kindergarten and need separate arrangements for both morning and late afternoon care. It seems so fragmented when she could stay where she is for the whole day. Plus I don't want her on buses if we can avoid it, at least at this age. Bacata | ||
| Mim |
Our child participated in the Mandarin program and enjoyed it. It's pretty low-key, but she did learn some phrases and something about another culture. Also, I would highly recommend the Rec Dept.'s kgarten after-school program. It is very creative and nurturing -- our child ADORED it. Don't worry about the bus -- for the kids, that's part of the fun! (And there is always a teacher along.) If you need it, there is also a before-school program run by the Y, which takes place at the school. Takes care of that tricky hour between 7:30 and 8:30, when most of us working parents have to start our commute. They overcharge for it (it's up to $105/month now, I think), but we've never found another way to deal with this hour. | ||
| Sac |
Bacata, My daughter has been in the ASP Mandarin program at Tuscan for several years. (It is at both Tuscan and Clinton). It has been up and down with a fair amount of turnover of teachers, but they now have had the same teacher for a year and a half. The children enjoy it and I think that they do learn something, but it probably isn't as intensive as you might hope. We had hoped that they would extend the program to Seth Boyden so that our younger daughter could take advantage of it also, but I don't think that will happen. It is supported by a grant that was done a few years back through a joint effort of the Tuscan and Clinton principals and the ASP. By the way, have you considered Morning Kindergarten plus the Kindergarten ASP? Yes, they do ride a bus, but you'd be surprised how quickly the kids adjust to that routine (after a few anxious moments during the first week of school). The Kindergarten ASP is wonderful and provides coverage to 6:00PM. For both of our children we wrote letters with our registrations explaining that we were using that childcare program and that we didn't have a good alternative for Afternoon Kindergarten. I don't know of anyone in who registered promptly and needed AM Kindergarten that didn't get it once the needs vs wants were sorted out. Feel free to email me at sac07040@yahoo.com if you have questions about the ASP, etc. | ||
| Lisat |
My son's best school-related experience thus far (including his pre-school programs) has been the ASP program for kindergarten that the town runs for am kindergarten at the recreation center in Maplewood. My son liked it so much that he asked us to stop picking him up at 3:00 and let him stay until 6:00. He's in first grade now and still has friends from other schools that he met through the program. The woman who runs it is wonderful. And it was very reasonably priced for up to 30 hours of childcare per week. But to ensure that we got one of the 25 spaces, my husband was at the sign-up at 3 am. | ||
| Sac |
Just a note re the ASP signup. If you keep your child(ren) in ASP (Kindergarten, Elementary or Middle School) continuously, you only have to do the early AM routine once. Once your child is in the program, he/she and any siblings will have priority for registration the following year. When I did it five years ago, 5:00 AM was more than sufficient, but perhaps competition has stiffened. | ||
| Ashear |
This is the second time I've heard of middle of the night lines for signups (the other was the town camp). Wouldn't a lottery be easier for all. After all, its not a Dead show we're talking about here. | ||
| Nakaille |
Ashear, I'd rather have the inconvenience of camping out once and know that I have a really good shot at something I want than leave it completely to chance. My guess is that other really motivated parents feel similarly. Bacata | ||
| Ashear |
I see your point and I don't doubt I would do it if I though it was what my child needed (he's only 2 so we're not up to any of this yet). I guess I just worry about those for whom it might be a real hardship. What do you do if you are a single parent with several kids? Take them with you at 3am? | ||
| Nakaille |
This is just one of the many times I'm grateful that we're a two-parent household. In the four years I've been a parent I have gained enormous respect for single parents. Talk about a tough job! Whew! The emotional stamina alone required is amazing. Not to mention the physical and nitty-gritty detail work. Bacata | ||
| Spw784 |
Registration for kindergarten started on January 2. First day back from Holiday break, and the phones were ringing already at each school. The AM/PM placement is generally first come first served, although most principals will take honest , legitimate requests for AM placement. The schools try to balance each class gender wise and ethnically (I know, here's that race thing again), so that one class doesn't end up with 18 white male students out of 22 kids, while another class of 21 has 16 black or minority girls. Also, most schools try to keep twins, or siblings in the same session, but different classes (i.e. both in PM session, or both in AM). Better to enroll your child, and then not need the slot, then to wait until August or September, and try to enroll then . | ||
| Sac |
Just a note re AM vs PM Kindergarten. As mentioned above, my children both have been in AM Kindergarten since we really didn't have a choice, and they both have had a fine experience. However, if you do have a choice there are many pluses for PM Kindergarten. The children in those classes usually seem to be calmer and better rested than their AM counterparts. Also, since they tend to have more stay-at-home parents, the volunteer factor is often higher. Occasionally, if that group is not at capacity, you might see smaller class sizes in the PM, although you certainly cannot rely on that. It also may be easier to get face time with the teachers at the end of the day, when they aren't rushing to get ready for a class that will be arriving soon. So, if you have a choice, I believe you should strongly consider the PM option. | ||
| Cody |
On the AM/PM kindergarten issue, one of my children was in AM because I really felt I needed it at that time. By the time the second child was in kindergarten, it didn't matter and he was in the PM session. We LOVED it! It seemed so much more restful - we had the mornings to schedule doctor/dentist/etc appts, run errands, hang out at the park, work in the garden and eat lunch, and then I'd drop him off at school. The AM experience was a big rush to get her up, get her dressed, get the little guy up/dressed to tag along, it was much less fun and much more stress for all of us. At least 4 different kindergarten teachers have told me that their PM classes seem more laid back and together - my own opinion is that they don't have all that rushing around before getting to school. Know PM scheduling doesn't work for everyone, but if it might, I'd say give it a try. Whatever, good luck! | ||
| Wendy |
As far as I know, the AM/PM kindergarten placement is not based on how early you register. Check with the principal of each school in which you are interested. The way it was done at Tuscan (and may still be) was that the principal took people's preferences at the orientation and tried to accommodate everyone. According to her, she was never told when people registered at central office; nor was she sure central office kept records of when the registration forms were turned in. |
