By By Mary-Allison Lancaster Managing editor
With parents at their side, the pint-sized class of 2019 will be registering for kindergarten at area elementary schools next week.
Brewton Elementary School will have its 2005-2006 kindergarten registration on April 28-29. On Thursday, from 8:30-10 a.m., 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4:30-6 p.m., parents will have an opportunity to pre-register children while attending the 'Ready, Set, Learn!' information workshop.
After last year's successful workshop, which was the first time it was held, parents have the opportunity to receive valuable information before sending their children off to school for the first time.
At the workshop, parents are given a bag of books and materials that can make learning at home easier. The bag will include scissors, crayons and flashcards that will help children learn the ABCs, colors and shapes.
A screening assessment will be given to the children followed by a parent meeting, and children will also be allowed to participate in kindergarten activities as well.
Traditionally, there are 18 children to each of the six classrooms. The state's teacher/pupil ratio is 18 to 1. Marriott said that even with the leeway given to them, classroom sizes will stay the same ratio, if they can help it.
The parent meeting will allow teachers to go over the skills for incoming kindergartners with the parents. Teachers will also go over the materials they will be learning in kindergarten.
The sessions will be held at the kindergarten building located on 811 Belleville Avenue.
Marriott encourages parents to please call ahead to sign up for a specific meeting time. The phone number is 867-8410.
On April 29, W.S. Neal Elementary will be holding its kindergarten registration from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.
A pre-assessment will be held during those times. At that time, children will be tested to see if they will qualify for the Jumpstart Program. The four-week program runs during the summer, and teaches children socialization skills, since a lot of children have never attended school before.
The wellness counselor will be on hand at registration to talk with parents about the next year's school events.
In order to be registered, children must be 5-years-old on or before Sept. 1, 2005. Parents are asked to bring the following items: