Kindergarten registration under way

Published 12:00 am Thursday, March 3, 2011

Ryan Watson was one of the children registered Wednesday for the upcoming school year at AES. Watson is shown with family friend Harper Paulk and his mother Jennifer Childree and brother Alexander Childree. | Stephanie Nelson/Star-News

Andalusia Elementary School will finish its kindergarten registration drive today.

Parents whose children will be 5 before Sept. 1, may sign their child up between the hours of 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. or between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.

The presence of the child is encouraged at registration, but not mandatory.

Other area schools set the following kindergarten registration dates:

• Opp Elementary, daily through April 30.

• Fleeta School on Fri., March 25, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.

• Guardian Angel Christian Academy on March 31, from 1 to 5 p.m.

School officials said parents need to bring a birth certificate and a blue immunization card only.

• Straughn Elementary School on April 1, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.

• W.S. Harlan Elementary School on April 8, beginning at 8 a.m.

• Red Level Elementary School on registration April 22, beginning at 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“The child has to be present,” said Brenda Johnson, counselor. “We do screening. It is fashioned after DIBELS. They’ll check their numerical skills, initial sounds and vocabulary, things like that.”

Johnson said before funding was cut the school was able to offer T-shirts and goody bags for the students, but the school is unable to do that this year.

• Pleasant Home will round out the registration process on April 29, at 8 a.m.

For more information, contact the guidance counselor at the respective school.

To register, parents must bring the following:

• an original birth certificate;

• an original Social Security card; and

• the child’s blue immunization card.

Local preschools are also holding registration.

• Bright Beginnings Preschool is currently holding open enrollment for fall 2011. For more info, call 222-1685.

• Andalusia Head Start is accepting applications for the 2011-2012 school year. Call 881-0181 for more information.

• Florala Head Start will take applications until April 1. Call Lynda Christian at 858-3060 for more information.