Kindergarten Registration

A: Please contact the Registrar. She will assist you in making your Registration and Getting to Know You appointments.

A: Kindergarten Information Nights (in January) are an interest-based sign-up. Families are welcome to come see classrooms, meet teachers, speak with the principals, school nurse, and reading and math specialists. Families will also make a Registration and Screening appointment for their children.

A: Registration is a 45-minute meeting with the Registrar to review important information about your child. This will include gathering information about them, emergency contacts, home language history, medical history, and an explanation about the permission forms.

Getting to Know You Day is in May for all incoming Kindergartners. This will be a 50-minute meeting. Children will be in a classroom with a teacher and other students. We will observe them in a morning-meeting gathering as they interact with one another. Teachers will also administer a basic evaluation to help us understand their learning level.
 

A: At least one parent or guardian should be present at the appointment WITH the child. Children do not need to attend if they are enrolled in PreK or Daycare. Documents to bring to this appointment are available on this webpage.
 

A: You should bring your child to the registration appointment if they are not enrolled in a PreK or Daycare program. 

Children who are enrolled in a PreK or Daycare program are welcome to attend. The Registration Office is set up like a classroom with age-appropriate activities and artwork around. Especially for our youngest friends who may be anxious about school, this is a low-stakes way for them to come, visit, and have fun!

A: Register anyway! We plan for the fall in the spring after we have done all registration appointments. It is much better for us (and easier for you) to plan in the spring for your child to attend than over the summer when most placements have already been finalized.
 

A: There is a lot of movement throughout the day. The day begins with a whole group interactive meeting. We then transition to academic time (reader's workshop, writing, and math) with a snack break. Lunch and recess are followed by a quiet read-aloud time and phonics instruction. The day concludes with choice time and a quick whole class closing meeting. 

A: You can let us know of any friends your child may get along with (or get along too well with) as well as any conflicts they may have with another student.

A: Yes, in a typical kindergarten year, students will spend time with students from other classrooms during lunch and recess. 

A: Classroom groupings are based on a variety of information. Screening information and scores, parent requests, and preschool suggestions all contribute to the final groupings. Parents may suggest peers that work well, peers that don't work well with their child, or describe their child's learning style to help with decisions. However, parents may not request for their child to have a specific teacher.

A: There are typically 17-20 students in each classroom.

A: Two weeks prior to the start of school you will be mailed and emailed a packet with this information. 
 

A: We do not assign teachers to students during the spring. However, we do assign students to groups. These groupings are based on information we gather from you both during your registration appointment as well as information you provide to the Principal directly. We do not make any promises, but we do appreciate any feedback you may have about setting your child up for success.
 

A: Each kindergarten classroom has one general education teacher. Some classrooms may be supported by additional staff including a special education liaison, teaching assistant, English teacher, or other therapists throughout the school day. 

A: NES has bathrooms in all but one of our Kindergarten classrooms! The classroom that does not have its own bathroom has access to larger bathrooms in the hallway.

It is expected that students are able to access the bathroom independently unless there is a need otherwise identified. We know that sometimes accidents happen, so we ask all students to bring an extra change of clothes to school.

It is important to note that most bathrooms in the school have an automatic sensor flush, which can be alarming to some students at first. 
 

A: For specific questions, you can reach out to the Kindergarten Team Lead Teacher, Megan Abbott.

Information about the curriculum used throughout the district is available through the Curriculum Department. There is also really great information on our Kindergarten webpage.
 

A: The September 1 deadline is a hard deadline. If your child is born on September 1 or after, they do not meet the age requirement for Kindergarten. If you would like them to attend NES, please contact the front office to have them put on the waitlist for PreK. 
 

A: Not at the Nantucket Public Schools! 
 

A: All children should bring a healthy snack to eat mid-morning and a refillable water bottle. The cafeteria will serve optional breakfast and lunch at no cost to students each day. If a student forgets their lunch, one will be provided by the cafeteria. Students are welcome to bring lunch from home. You will be notified if your child is in an allergen-free classroom.

A: They will be sent to the school nurse. The nurse will check your child's temperature and symptoms. 
The nurse makes a decision as to whether your child will be dismissed from school due to illness.
The school nurse will notify the classroom teacher that the student is being dismissed.
The school nurse will notify the parents to pick up the child.
The school nurse will notify the front office that the student is being dismissed. 
The parent will pick up their child at the nurse's office.
A child should be fever free and vomit free for approximately 24 hours before returning to school. 

A: Be on time for school. Walk your child to the classroom line. Give your child a hug, reassure them that they will see you at dismissal, and say goodbye. 

A: Your child will still learn a lot in kindergarten! We use a workshop model which allows for students to learn at their own levels. There is a 5-10 minute mini-lesson and then children work independently or in small groups at their levels. Teachers differentiate based on the needs of the students. 

A: Coming to Kindergarten is a big transition in a young child's life. Setting up healthy habits is an important part of getting children ready for school. Here are some suggestions:

• Have a bedtime routine
• Let children know what their day will look like
• Practice self help skills, like buttoning or zipping a coat - these are valuable lessons for your child
• Give your child experiences where they engage in play with other children, which allows them to learn to take turns and share their personal things
• Reading to your child every night is a great way to get them ready for school and instill a love of learning
• Help your child learn the alphabet by learning the letters in their name

A: You will meet your child on the brick walkway in the back drop-off/dismissal area.
NES Kindergarten students will be the first to be dismissed. They will walk out with their teacher to the brick area outside of the cafeteria.
Adults need to make sure they connect with the classroom teacher before taking the child. Safety is important. Your child's teacher needs to make sure they see the child leave with the proper adult. 

A: Please write a note or send a REMIND message to your child's teacher letting them know about the early dismissal. Please include the time and date. Your child's teacher will make sure your child is ready and sent to the front office to meet you for pick up.