- Organization Structure
- Action Teams
- Academy for Families
- Learning Opportunities
- Partners and Sponsors
- Reports
- Investing in early childhood makes solid economic sense. A study by the Federal Reserve Bank reports that every $1 we spend on quality early learning education pays returns of $7-$17.
- 85% of the human brain is developed by age 5.
- 20% of today’s workers are functionally illiterate. Early childhood development programs prepare our children to become adults who are literate, employable, and productive citizens.
- Virginia spends approximately $90 million annually on children who repeat grades K-3.
- 1 in 4 children in the Shenandoah Valley enter school not ready to learn.
Transition to Kindergarten
Kindergarten Registration info – English
Todos los Vaqueritos al Kinder – Spanish
Kindergarten Registration info – Russian
Kindergarten Registration info – Kurdish
Dear Early Childhood Teachers,
We are thrilled to be providing this revised version of the Smart Beginnings Shenandoah Valley Transition to Kindergarten Assessment! After piloting the tool last year, we have made some adjustments. The assessment has a front and a back (larger drawing space) as well as a cover letter this year. We are also excited to say that all 7 school systems in our area are participating this year! When you download the forms, make sure you download the cover letter as mailing instruction vary a bit with each system.
This year, we are asking the assessment be mailed to receiving school systems by JUNE 1 so the information can be used by schools as they are making class lists.
A couple of reminders:
1. Review the cover letter for details in completing the assessment in order to maintain consistency.
2. Share the results with parents and request their signature at the bottom.
3. When talking with parents, remember to record the name of the school their child is attending.
4. If parents have not registered their child, encourage them to do it now before the summer break.
5. If you already use the PALS pre-K, simply attach this assessment to the PALS record sheet and mail both to the school or central office contact (see cover letter).
If you have any questions about the assessment or process, please feel free to contact Stacie Jackson, Smart Beginnings Shenandoah Valley Coordinator, at 540-568-8968 or jacks2sc@jmu.edu.
Again, thank you for joining with us in using this tool as one step in creating a smoother transition to kindergarten for children and their families in the Shenandoah Valley.
Sincerely,
Transition to Kindergarten Team
Smart Beginnings Shenandoah Valley