Kindergarten Program

  • Online Registration for
    2023-2024 is Open!

    Stafford County Public Schools Annual Kindergarten Enrollment. Registration opens March 1. If your child turns 5 by September 30, it is time for Kindergarten!

    Registration

    Children must be five years of age on or before September 30 of the upcoming school year in order to register. Registration is held in early spring at all elementary schools. Once kindergarten enrollment opens, we encourage families to register via our Online Registration Portal. When completed, visit the school where your child will attend to bring in the required following documents:

    Proof of Residency

    (Must provide one of these:  Deed, Lease, Tax Bill - Please click here for additional documents needed for registering a student to Stafford County Public Schools.)

    •  Official birth certificate
    •  A transfer slip or report card from a previous school
    •  A copy of the current IEP and reports if the student has been receiving special education services
    •  A physical examination report completed within one year of school entry for grades K-5. Any students entering or returning to school in the United States must also furnish a physical examination done within one year.
    •  School Entrance Health Form MCH-213G 
    •  School Entrance Health Information (health history)
    •  Completed TB Risk Assessment Form, negative skin test or chest x-ray
    •  Proof of legal custody when applicable
    •  Student Registration Form (English)


    Immunization Requirements

    Your child must be immunized against Diphtheria, Pertussis (whooping cough), Tetanus (DPT), Poliomyelitis (OPV), Measles (Rubeola), Mumps, Rubella (MMR), Hepatitis B, and Chicken Pox (Varicella). The following are required of all students:

    • Four doses of DTaP, with one dose after the fourth birthday for new students beginning fall 2010;
    • Four doses of IPV/OPV, with one dose after the fourth birthday for new students beginning fall 2010;
    • Two doses of measles and mumps vaccine, and one dose of rubella vaccine (usually given as MMR) beginning Fall 2010;
    • Three doses of Hepatitis B following the recommended schedule
    • Two doses of Varicella vaccine for students entering  kindergarten as of Fall 2010.  One dose of Varicella Vaccine for students grade 5-12; Two doses grades K-5.
    • A Tdap (Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Tetanus) booster is required of students grades 6-12
    • An HPV(Human Pappillomavirus) vaccine series is recommended for girls entering 6th grade
    • A Pneumococcal vaccine (PCV) booster is required of all students age 24 to 60 months as of 2014
    Immunization records must show the month, day, and year of vaccines received as well as signature of health care provider.

    Students who do not have the necessary immunizations and/or a physical examination will not be allowed to attend school. However, students may be conditionally enrolled if their health records indicate that they have had  a current dose of the vaccines and parents present a written schedule from a physician for completing the immunizations within ninety days of enrollment.

    The Stafford County Health Department provides immunizations on Fridays from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., on an appointment only basis. Call 659-3101 for further information or appointments.

    Every child is viewed as a unique and individual learner in Stafford County’s full-day kindergarten program. The program combines a meaningful and challenging curriculum with appropriate instruction for all students.

    Meeting Students’ Needs

    Teachers continually strive to identify and meet the unique academic, physical, emotional and social needs of each student. All students are assessed throughout the year in reading and writing with the PALS early literacy screening and in mathematics with the Stafford County Early Childhood Mathematics Assessment. Teachers use information from these assessments to plan small group instruction that supports student growth. Additionally, teachers continually assess students as they engage in various learning activities in order to determine their needs and implement appropriate instruction.

     
    Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment

    Reading and English are taught in a literature rich environment where students develop basic phonetic principles and an appreciation of literature. The balanced literacy program includes daily experiences of being read to, reading independently, and writing for different purposes. Mathematics in kindergarten is hands-on and interactive. By the end of kindergarten, students understand small numbers, quantities and simple shapes, and are able to estimate, count, complete simple graphs, measure with nonstandard units (such as string or blocks), and make and describe patterns. In history and social studies, students learn about important national holidays and people who exhibit qualities of good citizenship. Science instruction focuses on the use of basic science skills such as observing, sorting, and communicating to explore common materials, objects and living things.

    Parental Involvement

    Parents are recognized and celebrated as children’s first teachers. After the first few weeks of school, parents are encouraged to volunteer and may help with making instructional materials, chaperoning field trips, volunteering during special programs, or assisting with individual students or small groups of students in the classroom. Most schools have an active volunteer program in place and inform parents through school newsletters and flyers of opportunities for involvement.