FUTURE FAMILIES
For families preparing to leap into kindergarten & beyond
Every month, we plan to bring you stories, suggestions and important information from across Hillsborough County Public Schools to help your child and family prepare for a successful transition into our schools. Thank you!
*FREE* DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING IS AVAILABLE FOR OUR FUTURE FAMILIES!
A little boy and his father nervously walked along the sidewalk outside the Manhattan Center in South Tampa. The child clutched a plastic toy from the movie Moana. The dad carried a backpack filled with diapers, snacks and forms. They passed a large flag that read “Developmental Screening” and walked through the front door.
They had a 10:45am appointment for a free screening offered through a unique partnership between Hillsborough County Public Schools, the Early Childhood Council (ECC), Child Find (part of the Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resources System or “FDLRS”) and many community partners.
It’s a lot of groups—coming together for a VERY good reason. Once a month, they join forces to offer FREE services to families with children under five in Hillsborough County. There is height and weight assessment, vision, hearing, language, behavior and overall development.
The little boy’s name is Ezra and he just turned 3 years old. His dad said they are at the screening because he and his wife are worried Ezra isn’t hitting his milestones.
First up—getting Ezra’s height and weight.
An employee with the Early Childhood Council led father and son to a back room with a scale and tape measure. Ezra scored in a high percentile for weight, so a specialist talked to them about healthy eating habits and stressed the importance of drinking more water and less juice--and set them up for an appointment to receive healthy food benefits.
From there, they were led to a room where Ezra’s hearing would be tested.
Read more about this FREE Developmental Screening HERE
WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO SIGN UP FOR KINDERGARTEN EARLY
Kindergarten Supervisor Lisa Black says there are still a lot of families who show up to school on the first day and are stunned to learn about the forms required to begin kindergarten.
"Families can save a lot of time and stress by registering their child for kindergarten early," Black says. "Parents who did not have an opportunity to register before the school year ended should call the school and ask to speak to the data processor to discuss the required paperwork and a good time to come in. This call can save them a second trip and the long lines that happen on the first day of school."
NERVES & EXCITEMENT—ADVICE ON MAKING A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO KINDERGARTEN
On August 12, 2019 tens of thousands of new kindergarteners will start their next adventure in our elementary schools
These are 5-year-old children. Many of them have no prior classroom experience. Walking into class that first day will be a whole new world for them.
Naturally, many kindergarten families have a lot of questions: Is my child ready? What can I do to help them be successful? What can I expect on the first day of school?
Brenda Quintero is a kindergarten teacher at Collins Elementary School in Riverview and an Excellence in Action Award Nominee. We asked for her expertise.
She says socialization and the ability to carry on a conversation are very valuable skills for an incoming kindergarten student.
Here are her suggestions on how to help them develop these skills:
- Play games with your child. Let them win some, but also allow them to lose.
- Don’t always come to the rescue in social situations. Let them navigate the problem and find their own solution.
- Sit down for a full 30 minute meal several times a week. Have a conversation afterward. Make sure they contribute to the conversation but also LISTEN!
- Go to a restaurant and let them order their meal.
Read more... including the 3 basics families should do for the first day!
WHAT'S GREAT ABOUT HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
School Choice provides parents and legal guardians with children entering grades K-11 the opportunity to choose three non-magnet schools or Career & Tech Education programs. Parents may choose from a list of schools with available space.
Our leadership is unmatched. This summer, Superintendent Jeff Eakins won the nationwide Excellence in Educational Leadership Award and our School Board was awarded the 2019 CUBE Award for Urban School Board Excellence.
Teachers in Hillsborough County Public Schools are FANTASTIC! King High School's Dr. Dakeyan Graham has been selected as Florida's Teacher of the Year.
SPENDING THE SUMMER FULFILLING OUR HALF-PENNY PROMISE
Since the moment the dismissal bell rang on the last day of school, crews have been hard at work delivering on our #HalfPennyPromise to spend these funds wisely to support our students.
102 projects took place over the summer.
That includes 21 air conditioning replacements, several roof replacements and repairs, new gym floors, new outdoor tracks, new playgrounds, new security system upgrades and many other projects.
This is all thanks to YOU passing the Education Referendum in November.
A complete list of completed and in-progress projects is regularly updated online.
Don't wait: READ. WRITE. NOW.
It's easy to read books for free on myOn. Register for a free account: ReadonmyOn.com
Check out some of these great books to help prepare children for school!
HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT EARLY EDUCATION IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS?
Evelyn McFadden - Head Start Supervisor
Evelyn.McFadden@sdhc.k12.fl.us
Sandra Show - Early Childhood Supervisor
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Email: newsletter@sdhc.k12.fl.us
Website: hillsboroughschools.org
Location: 901 East Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, FL, USA
Phone: 813-272-4000
Facebook: facebook.com/HillsboroughSch
Twitter: @HillsboroughSch