Thursday, April 16, 2015 is the day for on-time registration for  the cities of Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Petersburg, and Richmond, as well as the counties of Charles City, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, King William, New Kent, Powhatan, Prince George and Sussex.

It’s important to register by the registration on April 16 so you don’t miss any important information, teachers can be well prepared for your child in the classroom and school can prepare with enough staff and materials for a great start to the new school year.

Registering your first kindergartner? Get started now.
There’s quite a bit of paperwork involved and you may need a little time to get everything together.
Here’s your Kindergarten Checklist (Download and print one here):

-Child’s official, certified birth certificate

-Child’s Social Security card

-Proof of address

-School Entrance Health Form

-Photo ID for parent of legal guardian

Get more information plus contact information and registration times and locations at Smart Beginnings.

Don’t forget!
 Download & Print our Kindergarten Registration Quick Guide Here

]]> http://richmondmom.com/2015/03/17/its-kindergarten-registration-time/feed/ 0 http://richmondmom.com/2015/01/31/summer-camp-at-the-goddard-school-powered-by-steam-fueled-by-fun/ http://richmondmom.com/2015/01/31/summer-camp-at-the-goddard-school-powered-by-steam-fueled-by-fun/#comments Sat, 31 Jan 2015 22:00:06 +0000 http://richmondmom.com/?p=61269

For more than 26 years, The Goddard School^® has been a trusted name among parents and families. Its classrooms are safe, nurturing environments for children six weeks to six years, offering age-appropriate opportunities to explore and discover.

The Goddard School’s summer camp curriculum incorporates STEAM learning (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) into exciting, one-of-a-kind and fun experiences for your child every day! The Goddard School offers a broad range of programs and mini-camps to pique the interest and curiosity of every child; it has something for everybody!

Introducing STEAM concepts early on helps children develop a strong foundation for their future education and a passion for STEAM learning. Integrating the arts into all of the summer camp activities allows children to have fun while developing essential creativity and innovation skills as well as the abilities to collaborate, communicate and think critically.

Summer camp also provides ample opportunities for fun and learning both inside and outside the classroom. The Goddard School has created engaging activities that will allow your child to venture outdoors and take advantage of the beautiful weather. Safe playground facilities offer the perfect environment for children to get out in the sunshine and play.

The Goddard School focuses on academic, social, creative and physical development to provide a well-rounded experience and ensure children become respectful, confident and joyful learners. Its F.L.EX.^® Learning Program (Fun, Learning Experience) is based on accepted research that shows children experience the deepest, most genuine learning when they are having fun.

For more information, please visit The Goddard School online or call 1-800-GODDARD.

This article is sponsored by The Goddard School

Seaborn is one of more than 12,000 children who are in kindergarten this year in the Richmond region. Her mother, Dianne Seaborn, registered her on kindergarten registration day last April so the school could prepare for her child. But, more than 4,000 families in the area registered their children late and many children missed the first day of school.

Children who are five years old by September 30 can start kindergarten in the fall. But first they need to be registered. Thursday, April 10, is regional kindergarten registration day for 15 local school divisions: the cities of Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Petersburg and Richmond, as well as the counties of Charles City, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, King William, New Kent, Powhatan, Prince George and Sussex.

Registration is held at every elementary school in the area. See times for registration and information for their specific school district.

“It’s really important that parents register their child on April 10,” said Jacque Hale, Director of Smart Beginnings Greater Richmond at United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg. “If parents wait until the summer, then it’s a scramble – both to gather the paperwork and to make sure the child has the necessary skills to be successful in school.”

At registration, schools will identify any missing paperwork, provide information about summer activities or other chances to visit the school. Even if parents don’t have all of the paperwork, they should still come registration. The school will guide parents to resources to help complete the process.

“The office staff was there to greet us and help us get through the many forms that are needed for registration,” said Seaborn, who says her daughter loved seeing the “big” cafeteria on registration day.

Families should bring the child’s certified original birth certificate, the child’s social security number, proof of address, the school entrance health form and a photo ID of the parent or legal guardian. Families are encouraged to still come to registration if they are missing a form because the school can offer resources to complete the process.

Mary Alex Seaborn on her first day of school.

Hale encourages parents to register on time so schools can hire the appropriate number of teachers and prepare for space and materials, while allowing teachers to prepare individually for each child.

“Children love seeing their name on their cubby on the first day of school and their name on the bulletin board. These things really matter to the child and sets them on the right path to succeed in school,” added Hale, who’s excited about her daughter starting kindergarten in Chesterfield County this fall.

Smart Beginnings recommends parents, grandparents and caregivers start preparing their children for kindergarten long before the child reaches the classroom. In the Richmond region, 1 in 7 children enters kindergarten already behind in language and literacy skills. They offer these tips for

families to practice with their children:
• Write their name
• Read and look at books every day
• Practice counting real objects
• Find and name letters of the alphabet everywhere you go
• Show respect and use good manners
• Follow directions and listen to others

“Parents, including expectant parents, need to know they are the first and most important teachers for their children,” said Hale. Seaborn says she started preparing her daughter for kindergarten early by reading books with her, visiting children’s museums and exploring parks.

“I also really emphasized how exciting Kindergarten would be. All children have a wide range of emotions and I didn’t want her to feel nervous or anxious about going,” she said.

“On the first day of school, Mary Alex couldn’t have been more excited! She was so ready to start her day and ride the bus. She was eager to meet new friends and eat lunch in the ‘big’ cafeteria. I was emotional about letting her go, but I was so excited for her at the same time.”

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Here’s a message about kindergarten registration from Maya Smart:

Click here to view the embedded video.

For more information about kindergarten registration and what to bring on April 10, parents can dial the phone number “2-1-1” or visit www.readychildren.net to find information specific to their school division. 2-1-1 connects to United Way’s Information and Referral Center with free information on available health and human services, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.