Portland St. Patrick Catholic School

The snow is melting and the temperatures are beginning to rise.  It is that time of year when schools begin preparing for the next school year.  One of the items that schools need to prepare for is the kindergarten screening.  For many parents, especially those with a child entering school for the first time, it can be a time of anxiety.  Parents can be nervous about the kindergarten screening process.  There is no need to be nervous as our experienced staff is prepared to help you through this process.  

St. Patrick School will not experience any major changes in its developmental kindergarten or kindergarten programs.  Next school year we are again offering half day sessions of developmental kindergarten.  To enter our DK program, students must be four years old at the start of the school year and turn five before the end of the school year (if they do not meet this criteria they would enter the 4 year old preschool program).  We will have a morning session that runs from approximately 8:30 – 11:30 and an afternoon session that will run from approximately 12:30 – 3:30.  Our kindergarten program will continue to be all day, five days a week for students who are five years of age by December 1 of the school year of enrollment.

The kindergarten screening for St. Patrick School will begin in the school office on Tuesday, April 20, 2010.  There are three different times to sign up.  9:00 – 11:00 a.m, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., and 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.   To sign up for a time, you may call the school office at (517)647-7551.  The screening for your child will last anywhere from approximately 30 minutes to an hour.

To further alleviate any anxiety you may have as screening day draws near, I will answer some frequently asked questions about kindergarten screening.

How will the school screen my child?

St. Patrick School uses the Gesell Developmental Observation (GDO).  The GDO is a standard procedure for direct observation of a child’s growth and development. This assessment is conducted by a trained examiner who makes observations of a child’s behavior and then evaluates these observations by comparison with normative patterns developed for each developmental age.  The GDO does not have right or wrong responses.  This assessment provides a composite picture of a child’s developmental age, his or her individual rate of growth, and his or her integrity in the total growth process.

Is it important to have my child screened, especially if I already know that I want my child in DK or kindergarten?   

The Gesell Institute recommends that every child receive a developmental screening to create a picture of where he or she is in their unique process of growth and development.  A screening provides information about a child’s developmental maturity compared to other children at different ages. Developmental screening can often provide the first warning signs of developmental delay.

How will my child handle the screening process?    

When your child is screened they will possibly experience some anxiety.  This is perfectly normal.  Relax, your child will be fine. Once they are asked to complete the screening tasks, they usually dive right in and give their best effort.  Help relieve their anxiety before they arrive by explaining what they will be doing and why.  Ask them to relax and try their best.  Kids are more resilient then we expect and love to work hard and give their best effort.  I am not aware of any child that has been scarred for life by their kindergarten screening.

Do I do what the school recommends or do I go with my instincts?  

The parent can choose to have their child placed in DK or in kindergarten if they meet the age requirement.  If the child is screened and the teacher recommends kindergarten the parent may still request DK.  If the teacher recommends DK after the screening but the parents wants their child placed in kindergarten, then that is what we do.  We would closely monitor that child when school starts in the fall to make sure that child is developmentally ready.  If the child is struggling a short time into the school year, we will again encourage parents to place the child in DK.  The goal for both the school and the parents is to work together to make a decision that is best for their child.

If you have any further questions in regards to St. Patrick’s DK or kindergarten programs, you may contact me at (517)647-7551 or by email at randyhodge@portlandstpats.org.  If you have further questions or are still feeling anxious, a time can be scheduled to visit classrooms and meet with your child’s teacher.  Do not be afraid to ask questions.  You will not be the first or only person with that same question.  Kindergarten screening should not be a time of fear and anxiety but should be a celebration of the next step of your child’s development.