Pre-Kindergarten

Our Pre-Kindergarten program is an early learning program that prepares children for Kindergarten. Children participate daily in a variety of activities designed to build self-esteem, and a love of learning. Opportunities are provided for social and emotional development, language development, and physical and mental growth. The pre-kindergarten program allows children to learn through “hands-on” activities. Relationships with other children and caring adults foster positive self-concepts.

Pre-kindergarten Booklet

Qualify

HOW DO I QUALIFY FOR PRE-KINDERGARTEN?

To be eligible to enroll in pre-kindergarten, a child must reach the legal age of 4 on or before September 1 of the current school year and meet at least one of the following requirements

Unable to speak and comprehend the English language
Educationally Disadvantaged
Child of an active duty member of the armed forces of the United States (including state military forces or a reserved component of the armed forces, who is ordered to active duty by proper authority back to active duty)
Child of a member of the armed forces of the United States, including the state military forces or a reserved component who was injured or killed while serving on active duty
Have ever been in the conservatorship (foster family) or the Department of Family and Protective Services following an adversary hearing
Be the child of a person eligible for the Star of Texas Award (Parent’s Star of Texas Award)

Completing a registration form does not automatically ensure a child will be accepted in the pre-kindergarten program. A more detailed explanation of the requirements is provided below:

Entrance to the pre-kindergarten program is based upon lack of proficiency in speaking the English language, or upon an income that is below the national average as determined by the U.S. Government guidelines.

A language proficiency test is used to determine eligibility based upon a language deficiency. A designation of Non-English Speaking or Limited-English Speaking is required for entrance.
Federal Guidelines are issued each year to determine income eligibility for this program. Proof of income is required. It may consist of an income tax form, statement from an employer certifying current monthly wages, or current check voucher stubs. If wages are paid hourly, a 40-hour total is used.

All incomes within a household are used to determine a total. This includes any wage earner living within the home: wife, or any family member or friend that resides within the applicant’s household. Any additional income such as alimony, child support, or dividends must also be included. The total is determined before taxes; it is not take-home pay. If an individual is unemployed, a notarized statement to that effect must be presented.

If the applicant has qualified for food stamps or Aid to Dependent Children, this information automatically qualifies an individual for the Pre-Kindergarten Program.

Federal guidelines are very precise, and an applicant must sign a form assuring the accuracy of all information presented. Random telephone calls are sometimes made to employers to verify income information. If inconsistencies occur, determination of accuracy must be made or the child may be subject to withdrawal from the program.

Health & Attendance

Your child should attend school each day he/she is well. Every absence, even part of a school day, interferes with your child’s progress at school. Each subject is taught in sequence which builds understanding and correct habits of study. In order to be ready for new steps in learning, your child must have mastered the previous steps and be sufficiently ready to profit from new materials.

For the protection of your child and others, please do not send your child to school with fever or diarrhea.

Please notify the homeroom teacher, within two days of his/her return to school, with a note signed by the parent or legal guardian stating the student’s name and reason for absence.

If a child is injured or becomes ill at school, the parents will be notified. If the parents are not available, then the person designated to be called in an emergency will be contacted. Be sure to keep the school notified of any changes in telephone numbers, addresses, places of work, or emergency contacts.

Each child has a permanent health record. (On this record pertinent health information is recorded.) Please keep the school notified of any health problems. All information is held confidential.
Please contact the school to discuss any health problems or attendance concerns.

Immunizations

POLIO - At least three (3) doses of oral polio vaccine (OPV). If the last dose was not received on, after or the month prior to the fourth birthday, a booster dose will be required no later than the child’s fifth birthday.

DTaP - At least four (4) doses of DPT/DTaP vaccines are required. If the last dose was not received on, after or the month prior to the fourth birthday, a booster dose will be required no later than the child’s fifth birthday. If a child is allergic to Pertussis, ONLY 3 doses of DTP/DTap/DT are required as long as the first does was received on or after the first birthday.

MEASLES - (Rubeola)
a. One (1) dose of measles vaccine on or after, the first birthday.
b. Second dose of at least 30 days after the first dose and before/no later than the five year old birthday.

Serologic confirmation of measles immunity or serologic evidence of infection is acceptable in lieu of the vaccination.

RUBELLA - All children/students must have received a dose of rubella vaccine on, or after their first birthday, provide serologic confirmation of rubella immunity, or serologic evidence of infection.

MUMPS - All children/students must have received a dose of mumps vaccine on, or after their first birthday, provide serologic confirmation of mumps immunity, or serologic evidence of infection.

HIBCV- Not required for children 5 years old or older. For younger children, one dose of HibCV on or after 15 months of age is required unless a schedule for a primary series and a booster was completed prior to or at 15 months of age. A “primary series and booster” is two doses (two months apart) and a booster, at least two months after the last dose and after 12 months of age.

A physician’s validated history of invasive Haemophilus influenza type b disease, on or after the second birthday, will substitute for the vaccine requirement for children two (2) years of age through four (4) years of age.

HEPATITIS B - Effective August 1, 1998, three (3) doses of hepatitis B vaccine are required for all students age 5 years and older who were born on or after September 2, 1992. Pre-K students will be due as they reach 5 years of age. Serologic confirmation of immunity or serologic evidence of infection can be substitute for the vaccination.

VARICELLA - (chickenpox) One dose of varicella vaccine is required. This vaccine must have been received on or after the first birthday. A parent or physician validated history of varicella illness (chickenpox) or serologic confirmation of varicella immunity is acceptable in lieu of the vaccine.

HEPATITIS A- 2 doses with 1^st dose on or after 1^st birthday

PNEUMOCOCCAL (PCV)- Age of child when 1^st dose was given affects total # of doses required. If the PCV series is started when a child is seven months of age or older or the child is delinquent in the series, then all four doses may not be required. Please reference the information below to assist with compliance:

For children seven through 11 months of age, two doses are required.

For children 12-23 months of age: if three doses have been received prior to 12 months of age, then an additional dose is required (total of four doses) on or after 12 month of age. If one or two doses were received prior to 12 months of age, then a total of three doses are required with at least one dose on or after 12 months of age. If zero doses have been received, then two doses are required with both doses on or after 12 months of age.

Children 24 months through 59 months meet the requirement if they have at least three doses with one dose on or after 12 months of age, or two doses with both doses on or after 12 months of age, or one dose on or after 24 months of age. Otherwise, one additional dose is required.

EXCLUSIONS FROM COMPLIANCE - Exclusions from compliance are allowable on an individual basis for medical contraindication, religious conflicts, and active duty with the armed forces of the U.S. Children and students in these categories must submit evidence for exclusion from compliance.

MEDICAL CONTRAINDICATIONS - Medical contraindications must be signed by a physician licensed to practice in the United States. The statement should indicate that, in the physician’s opinion, the required immunization would be injurious to the health and well being of the child/student or a family or household member. It should specify the specific vaccination contraindicated. Unless a lifelong condition is specified, it is valid for one year from the date signed and must be renewed annually. It does not have to be notarized.

RELIGIOUS CONFLICTS - Religious exemption is granted by an affidavit (notarized) signed by the parent/guardian, stating that the vaccination/s conflict with the tenets or practices of the religion of which they are an adherent or member. During disease outbreaks, religious exemptions may be revoked.

Daily Schedule

2022-2023

Half-Day Pre-Kindergarten Schedule For:

Lakewood Elementary

AM Session
8:10 AM - Campus opens for morning session

8:40 AM - Classes begin
11:40 AM - Classes end

PM Session
12:30 PM - Campus open for afternoon session
12:50 PM - Classes begin
3:50 PM - Classes end

Half-Day Pre-Kindergarten Schedule For:

Wildwood Elementary & Willow Creek Elementary

AM Session
8:25 AM - Campus opens for morning session

8:55 AM - Classes begin
11:45 AM - Classes end

PM Session
12:45 PM - Campus open for afternoon session
1:00 PM - Classes begin
4:05 PM - Classes end

*Your child’s assignment to either the morning or afternoon session may be based on provisions for school bus transportation. Questions should be directed to the principal’s office at the school.

Full-Day Pre-Kindergarten Schedule for:

Canyon Pointe Elementary, Decker Prairie Elementary, Rosehill Elementary & Tomball Elementary

8:10 AM - Campus opens for morning session

8:40 AM - Classes begin
3:50 PM - Classes end

Full-Day Pre-Kindergarten Schedule for:

Grand Oaks Elementary

8:25 AM - Campus opens for morning session

8:55 AM - Classes begin
4:05 PM - Classes end