Registration for the Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program is the same process as traditional kindergarten.  Parents should register at their school of assignment based on address.  For more information, please see the Student Registration page.

Students will be assigned to a TK program closest to their address and parents will have the option to request to be placed on a wait list for an alternative site once they have been notified of their assignment in May/June.  We are currently planning to open classes at Audubon Elementary, Parkside Elementary and San Mateo Park Elementary for the 2012-13 school year. 

1. What can we do as parents to help support this program?  To advocate for Transitional Kindergarten, see Preschool California’s website www.preschoolca.org.
2. What will TK look like during the day?  The TK program is being designed to meet the academic and social emotional needs of students.  Teachers will offer a fully integrated academic program that thematically includes all subject areas throughout the instructional day.  Students will have literacy, math and languages experiences, opportunities for free and structured play and art.
3. How will the course material for TK be different from kindergarten curriculum?  The curriculum being considered for TK will be unique to TK, more exploratory in nature, more thematically integrated with a strong social emotional component to develop a student’s level of maturity.
4. What is the difference from TK and kindergarten day?  There will be a greater focus on social-emotional development and self-regulation skills.  In the past there was time in the day for structured play when children learned how to cooperate and share.  Kindergarten has become more academically structured and less play-based.  Transitional Kindergarten will be what kindergarten used to be.
5. What will be the TK schedule, especially for Wednesday minimum days?  The TK schedule will be a minimum of 3 hours a day, 5 days a week.
6. Will there be a progress report for TK and will it be standards based?  The law states there should be an emphasis towards mastery, not mastery as in kindergarten. It will be a bridge to kindergarten.  Ongoing assessment that is embedded in the curriculum will inform instruction and parents as to students’ progress.  Parents will be kept informed of their child’s progress through parent-teacher conferences and through written forms of communication.
7. Parents aren’t sure if they should pull out of private preschool to go to TK?  We will be offering the program in the 2012-13 school year.  It is our hope that all TK eligible students will attend transitional Kindergarten in our district.
8. What would be a reason to go to TK as opposed to private preschool?  Transitional Kindergarten will be a bridge between preschool and kindergarten, preparing students to be more successful during their kindergarten year.  It will be taught by a credentialed teacher will be based on California Kindergarten Standards.
9. My son is in full time day care, what are my options to fill the rest of the day?  Our fee-based before and after school Annex program will be available at all TK sites.  Students may only attend the Annex program at their TK site and there is no transportation.  Annex hours are from 7:00 am – 6:00 pm.  Please see their website for more information http://www.smfc.k12.ca.us/child_annex.
10. What does developmentally appropriate mean?  We take the child from where they are and we move them forward to the next level.  We provide them opportunities to learn through structured play and tasks that take into account their individual needs.  The classroom is really student-centered, not-teacher centered.
11. Will there be TK at a year round and traditional site?  Yes.  Parkside Elementary is a year-round school.  The other two sites - Audubon Elementary and San Mateo Park Elementary School - follow the traditional calendar.
12. What is the registration process?  Parents need to register students at their school of assignment.  See the Student Registration page for more specific information.
13. Will TK provide any specialized programs such as Montessori or language immersion?  At this time, we do not plan to have a TK program at our magnet schools.
14. Why are the birthdates the way they are?  Please see California Department of Education TK FAQs http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/gs/em/kinderfaq.asp
15. Would you say that sending your child to preschool, then TK then kindergarten to be less advantageous?  TK would be an advantage because the curriculum is designed uniquely for TK and the age of children in TK.  It is neither pre-school nor kindergarten.
16. What will the student teacher-to-ratio for TK be?  The TK ratio will mirror our kindergarten program which is currently 26:1.
17. My son will be 5 on November 3^rd…what should I do?  Register for Transitional Kindergarten. 
18. Can there be exceptions just for one day if my child’s birthday November 3^rd?  Since kindergarten is not mandatory in the State of California, there is no process to petition for early entry.  If parents choose to enroll their children in kindergarten, schools must admit children who are of legal age (EC Section 48000[a]).  To be admitted to kindergarten for the 2012-13 school year a child must turn 5 years of age by November 1, 2012.  Districts and the California Department of Education are frequently requested by parents to enroll children who are not age-eligible for kindergarten.  The CDE has no authority to require districts to admit or accelerate under-age children.
19. When will TK start?  TK will start at the beginning of the 2012-13 school year – August 1, 2012 for year round calendar schools and August 29, 2012 for traditional calendar schools.
20. When will the school board make a decision if TK will move forward?  The School Board voted unanimously to support the TK program in March 2012. 
21. Will Special Education kids be included in current plan?  504, Individual Education Plan (IEP), same services?  Special Education students will receive services pursuant to their IEP.
22. Will there be a promotion process for the 2012-13 school year?  All students attending Transitional Kindergarten automatically attend kindergarten the following year.  TK is a two-year program/commitment.
23. Will the 4^th TK site be determined by the March 5^th registration date?  No.  We need to have an accurate count of enrollment before determining if we need to open a 4^th class.
24. My son will turn 5 on December 2^nd, 2012, when will he go to TK, K & 1^st Grade?  Your child will be eligible to attend TK for the 2012-13 school year and will then attend kindergarten in the 2013-14 school year, and so on.
25. What is the cut-off for 1^st grade?  For the 2012-13 school year, students need to be 6 years old on or before November 1, 2012.
26. If my child continues with preschool for this year, can she be promoted to first grade next year Nov. 20^th birth date?  Grade level placement is determined by age eligibility.  The cut off dates are - November 1 for the 2012-13 school year; October 1 for the 2013-14 school year; September 1 for the 2014-15 school year and each year thereafter.
27. Can a child be transferred from traditional kindergarten into transitional kindergarten mid-year if they are faltering regardless of birth date?  All schools have processes in place to support student learning.  Grade level changes are always a last resort.  In the case of Transitional Kindergarten, age eligibility is a criteria for consideration.
28. Will we have a choice in which TK program we can attend?  Students will be assigned to a TK program based on their address (just like kindergarten).  Parents will receive a letter notifying them of their assignment and will have the option to request to be placed on a wait list at an alternative site at that time.  Notification letters will be mailed home in May.
29. Do I need to fill in the sibling registration form for kindergarten which my 2^nd grader’s school has sent home?  If I do this, do I need to register in March again?   Yes.  Please notify the school that you have an incoming TK student.  That process is only for school planning purposes, it is not your official registration.  You must also register at your school of assignment, please see the Student Registration page for more information.