Kindergarten

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Welcome to our Kindergarten Information Page


Attention Northampton Families!

Do you have a child age 5 by August 31* who is eligible for kindergarten next fall?  Please plan to attend one or all of our Transition to Kindergarten Events

Northampton Public Schools staff are excited to invite you to learn more about our kindergarten program and our K-12 school district. We look forward to meeting families and students as they make the transition into kindergarten!

Registration will be Saturday February 3 from 9am to 12pm at JFK Middle School. Kindergarten Registration Packets will be available to download from this site OR you can email or call and we will mail one home to you! All registration documents can be submitted to the Registrar’s Office located at 212 Main Street, 2nd floor, Northampton (Municipal Building). Contact Jennifer Towler for any questions or assistance with the enrollment paperwork or to answer any questions you may have.

Kindergarten screenings will happen in late spring and early fall. All families will be invited to attend a variety of fun and engaging events this winter, spring and over the summer to get ready for kindergarten.  Those interested in our School of Choice Program can apply starting in March 2024.

*603 CMR 8:00 MA Regulations state: Children are eligible to begin attending school at age 5 and must be enrolled no later than September of the calendar year in which he or she attains the age of six.

Determine which school your child will attend based on your home address – Student School Assignment Page

Age Cut-Off of August 31 is per policy and no exceptions are made

CLASSROOM OBSERVATIONS

January 25, January 31, and February 6, 2024 from 8:50am- 10:00am (Grown-Ups Only)

These events are for grown-ups only (no children please). Come be a quiet observer in an active classroom during school hours to see school in action.  The Principals will follow up with parents/caregivers who have additional questions or would like to schedule a future return with your children to see the school. Snow dates will be scheduled as needed.  Please park in designated areas only and come to the main office. Press the doorbell and a staff person will welcome you to the main office to sign in and provide you with a visitor badge. You’ll be escorted to the classroom and return to the office to sign out. Some helpful guidelines will be provided to visitors – remember that classrooms are busy places with a variety of interactions and activities taking place. Notice the areas learning areas of the class including pretend play, art, building blocks, writing materials, book, quiet places to rest or read and busy stations for manipulatives and activities. You may be visiting during morning meeting, or see active lessons taking place.  We ask that visits are limited to 15 minutes. Sign-Up Information Coming Soon!  Ref: School Committee Policies: KI-Visitors in the Schools, IHBAA-Visitor and Observation of Educational Programs

Please view our Kindergarten Videos at the bottom of the page!

What to do before and what to bring to The Big Event!

The Registration Forms packet are designed to be filled out on a home computer/laptop (but not on a smartphone). We can mail you a packet (please email your request). Filling out the form before attending the registration session will save you time!  Once your form is filled out on you can print it out OR email it to the Registrar to print out and start a file for your student. Forms cannot be filled out on a cellphone. MAC users often have issues with the forms.

FILL OUT THE FORMS PACKET

Download THEN OPEN (do not open in browser window). Next enter your student’s information into the fillable PDF File.  When complete, “Save As” (Not Save) and rename the document to your child’s name (or print to pdf and rename). The source file is protected to stay blank.   If you prefer to fill it out by hand, you can print it first. Forms may have issues with MAC computers.

📎GATHER THESE DOCUMENTS:

  • Student’s Birth Certificate (certified document -not hospital record). Request this from the city clerk in the city where your child was born
  • Health Records:  School Exam Record (or Patient Exam Record) shows results from the last physical exam and has the electronic physician’s signature certifying that the child may participate in school AND includes the Immunization Records. Physical Exams MUST be within 12 months from the last exam in order for students to start school in the fall per state regulations (105 CMR 220.000).  For children with serious allergies or asthma who (may) need medication administered at school, there are additional required forms.  AGE NOTE: If your child has not yet had their 5-yr check-up, please bring the most recent summary (and we will follow-up with you when the 5 year appt is complete). 
  • Photo ID of Parent(s)/Legal Guardians
  • Proof of residency: 1st page of lease showing address and occupants, section 8 agreement, or deed/recent mortgage statement/property tax card (http://northampton.ias-clt.com/parcel.list.php).
  • Proof of occupancy: recent utility bill for gas, heating oil, electric, home phone, cable, or trash. If your lease includes utilities, please provide your car registration or insurance, or the top portion of a bank or credit card statement showing your name/address.
  • If applicable: any court documents such as parents’ custody agreement, legal guardianship, DCF Care, Legal name change, etc.

❓Any questions about registration can be directed to Jennifer Towler, Registrar by calling (413) 587-1328 or email: jtowler@northampton-k12.us

If your child is attending NPS Preschool at Bridge Street School Or Leeds Elementary School OR for our Itinerant Services PK Program, you do NOT need to do more paperwork. Please email Registrar with any questions

Missed the BIG EVENT!?

Additional days and times will be available in February to complete the registration either at the Central Registration Office or one of the schools.  Email the Registrar to inquire about other dates: jtowler@northampton-k12.us

In-District School Choice (Open Enrollment) – Applications will be available to fill out at the Registration Event.

VIRTUAL INFORMATION MEETING

Thursday, November 30, 2023  (Virtual) from 5:30-6:30pm (Grown-Ups Only)

All resident parents/caregivers, including those who have a child in our public preschool programs are invited and encouraged to attend to have your kindergarten questions answered!  We’ll cover a variety of topics all about NPS’s kindergarten program. Including all four elementary schools – meet the principals & teachers, find out about daily activities, curriculum, outdoor learning spaces, mindfulness practices, learning through play, art, music, library, gardening, plus information about afterschool and enrichment programs, busing, school meals, and so much more!   We’ll cover when and how to register your child for fall attendance, school zones etc. We will share the meeting details with you via email and send a reminder the day of the event.  

WATCH THE RECORDING OF THE EVENT CLICK HERE