Elementary schools gear up for preschool, kindergarten screenings

SIKESTON -- Week-long preschool screenings came to an end Friday in the Sikeston R-6 School District, but it marked only the beginning of preschool and kindergarten screenings throughout the area for the 2018-2019 school year.

The purpose of a kindergarten screening is not to test how much a child knows as much as it is to see if a child is developmentally ready to start kindergarten and if a child will need any additional support in the classroom.

Preschool screenings help find children with possible health or developmental concerns that may impact learning. The process often includes a check of vision and hearing, child development and a review of the child's health.

To be eligible for kindergarten in the 2018-2019 school year, children must be 5 years old before Aug. 1. Children need to be present at screenings, which last about two hours. To be eligible for a school's 4-year-old preschool program, children must be 4 years old before Aug. 1.

Parents should bring their child's birth certificate, Social Security card, immunization record and proof of residency. In order to be in compliance with both state and local requirements, parents need to provide the school with the child's state-issued birth certificate, immunization record, social security card, Medicaid card (if applicable) and proof of residency. Some schools also require a parent's photo identification.

Children should be enrolled even if all of these documents are not available, however, these records must be provided before the child begins class on the first day of school.

In the New Madrid County R-1 School District preschool screenings will be by appointment March 13 at New Madrid Elementary in New Madrid, March 14 at Matthews Elementary in Matthews, March 15 at Lilbourn Elementary in Lilbourn. Dates for kindergarten screenings have not yet been established, but school officials said they are looking at dates in April.

The Scott County R-4 "Kelly" School District in Benton will have kindergarten and 4-year-old preschool screenings for the upcoming school year from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 19-20 in the elementary library.

Even before that, a kindergarten meeting for parents and their children will be at 6 p.m. March 6 in the Kelly Elementary gym. A bus ride, school tour, kindergarten expectations and school supply list will be included in the meeting.

Scott County Central Schools will have its kindergarten screening and enrollment from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and noon to 3 p.m. March 21-22 at Scott County Central Elementary School.

East Prairie R-2 will have 4-year-old preschool and kindergarten screenings March 19-22 at Doyle Elementary. Parents can call the school to make an appointment starting March 5.

Hearnes Elementary in Charleston will have a preschool screening for children who will be 4 before Aug. 1 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 22 while the kindergarten screening will be from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. March 22 at Hearnes Elementary. Parents should contact the Hearnes office to schedule an appointment.

Screenings for 4-year-old preschool and kindergarten will be March 19-23 at Portageville Elementary. Parents should call the elementary school to make an appointment.

Richland Elementary in Essex will host preschool and kindergarten screenings March 26. Parents should call the school for an appointment.

Oran Elementary will have its kindergarten screenings from 8:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 12-13 at the school. Parents can call the elementary to schedule an appointment.

The Sikeston Kindergarten Center will host a "Kindergarten Round-Up" night at 6 p.m. April 5 at the Kindergarten Center. Parents and future kindergarten students will have an opportunity to tour the kindergarten building and visit with teachers. They will have a chance to see classrooms and ask questions about the Kindergarten program.

Families will be able to make their screening appointment for the upcoming kindergarten enrollment, which will be April 23-26 at the Kindergarten Center. Appointments will not be scheduled by phone until April 6 after the "Round-Up."Appointments will be taken ahead of walk-ins.

The make-up day for Sikeston R-6 parents and children who missed this week's preschool screenings will be April 25. This screening is for children who will be 4 by July 31.

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Schedule a screening by phone:

Sikeston Kindergarten Center: 471-0653 (call starting April 6)

Scott County Central Elementary: 471-3511

Kelly Elementary: 545-3541

Hearnes Elementary: 683-3728

New Madrid Elementary: 748-5569

Lilbourn Elementary: 688-2593.

Matthews Elementary in Matthews: 471-0077

Doyle Elementary in East Prairie: 649-2272 (call starting March 5)

Portageville Elementary: 379-5706

Oran Elementary: 262-3435

Richland Elementary: 283-5332