Education

Berkeley County School District To Host ‘Kick-Off to Kindergarten’

Image courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Image courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.–Berkeley County School District is hosting its ‘Kick-Off to Kindergarten’ event Feb. 23-27.  The district will begin registering three-, four-, and five-year-olds for its early childhood programs for the 2015-16 school year.

Programs include the Head Start program (K-3 and K-4), the Childhood Development Education Program (CDEP) (K-4) and Kindergarten (K-5).

“We are calling this our ‘Kick-Off to Kindergarten’ to let families know that it is time to start preparing for next year,” said Dr. Karen Whitley, the district’s Associate Superintendent for Program Support.  “By registering now, parents can help us be fully prepared to welcome our new students at the start of the school year. We plan during the summer, so advance registration is a great tool that helps us prepare bus routes, supplies and staffing to meet our students’ needs.”

The Head Start program is a full-day program open to Berkeley and Dorchester County children ages three and four, based on family income eligibility, needs assessment and space availability. Interested families should contact their area school to make an appointment with a Family Services Associate (FSA) who will assist them with the application process.

The CDEP program is open to Berkeley County four-year-olds based on family income eligibility. To be eligible, children must be four years of age on or before Sept. 1. The Kindergarten program is open to all Berkeley County five-year-olds.  For the Kindergarten program, children must be five years of age on or before Sept. 1. Both programs are full-day programs.

During ‘Kick-Off to Kindergarten,’ schools will be open during normal hours for families to register their children. Those who do not know which school serves their area can call 843-899-8604. Appointments are required for Head Start registration. Appointments are not required for CDEP and Kindergarten registration.

When registering, parents will need to bring the following: a completed registration form; the student’s original birth certificate long form; a Medicaid number (if applicable); two proofs-of-residence with street address (utility bill, rental agreement, etc.); a South Carolina immunization form; applicable health records; records from previous schools; special education forms (if applicable); proof of guardianship (if student lives with someone other than parent); and proof of income (i.e., a 2013 or 2014 tax return) for Head Start or CDEP registration eligibility.

Forms are available at each school, or on the district’s website at www.berkeley.k12.sc.us under ‘Parent Information,’ then click on ‘Registration and Immunization Information.’  For information about the CDEP program, call 843-899-8604.  For information about the Head Start program, call 843-553-8783.

Nikki Gaskins Campbell
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