Kindergarten Registration

2024-2025 Kindergarten Registration

A child must be 5 years old on or before September 1st of the 2024-2025 school year to be eligible.

To start the registration process, click the link below:

Kindergarten Registration 24-25 (English)

Kindergarten Registration 24-25 (Spanish)

For instructions on how to register, click the link below.

If you are unaware of where your child will attend school, please click here for a list of School Assignments.

When registration is complete, please bring supporting documentation to the NPS Family Center located at 1 Park Street. The hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

If you need additional support, please call the Norwalk Public Schools Early Childhood Department at 203-854-4113 or the NPS Family Center at 203-854-4100.

2024-25 Transition Plan

Beginning July 1, 2024, the Connecticut General Statute requires that children turn five years old on or before September 1 of the school year in order to enroll in kindergarten. Because of the timing of this change and the challenge that this may cause families, Norwalk Public Schools has developed the following transition plan for the 2024-25 school year:

Any child who does not turn five years old on or before September 1, 2024, but celebrates their fifth birthday on or before January 1, 2025, may be eligible for Kindergarten admission. This is contingent upon a written request from the child's parent/guardian during the registration process.

Upon receipt of the request, the child will be scheduled for an assessment at the Family Center. The purpose of this assessment is to gather information about the child and their family, which will assist schools in providing better support for the students.

The Norwalk Public Schools will continue to support all students according to their academic, emotional, and social needs with the understanding that students are unique regardless of age. Parents requesting early admittance will receive resources from the Family Center to assist them in their decision.

The process for early entrance to kindergarten beyond the 2024-25 school year will be further developed and a specific plan/procedure is forthcoming.

If you have any questions, please contact the NPS Family Center at 203-854-4100 or email familycenter@norwalkps.org.

Step Into Kindergarten

Kindergarten at a Glance

Quick Links
Registration Guide
School Assignments
Transportation
District Health Forms
Immunization Requirements
Elementary School Choice
School Hours

Community Resources

Kindergarten Registration

Complete the online registration clicking the link below. An email address is required.
- Kindergarten Registration 23-24 (English)
- Kindergarten Registration 23-24 (Spanish)
For further instructions on how to register, click the link below.
- Registration Guide (English)
To complete the registration process, bring the following documents to the NPS Family, located at 1 Park Street:
- Parent or guardian photo identification
- Student's original Birth Certificate or Passport
- Proof of residency (Mortgage statement/Deed or current lease signed with expiration date) If these do not apply to you, you'll need to complete and notarize the following:
  - Affidavit of Property Owner/Landlord (English)
  - Affidavit of Property Owner/Landlord (Spanish)
- AND two current utility bills (gas, electric, water, cable or phone)
  - For more acceptable documents, please see Proof of Residency Checklist
- Current physical/medical and immunization records
  - Your child will not be able to start school without their physical being approved by the nurse. (Make your child's physical appointment as soon as possible.)
- If applicable:
  - Custody paperwork
  - IEP evaluations
  - Request for student records

Immunization Records

In accordance with Connecticut State Law and Norwalk Public School policy, a health assessment is required prior to public school enrollment and in grades Prekindergarten, Kindergarten, 6, and 10.

A physical examination includes height, weight and blood pressure; hematocrit/hemoglobin lab studies; vision, hearing, speech and gross dental screenings; updating of immunizations, chronic disease assessment and TB risk assessment.

The health assessment information must be on the State of Connecticut Health Assessment Record Form (form HAR-3).

Lunch Information

Expectations for Kindergartners

We understand that children enter Kindergarten with a wide range of skills and experiences. Norwalk Public Schools staff work with children to support all levels of learning and development.

These expectations were created through a collaborative effort between community preschools and Norwalk Public Schools teachers and staff.

Social & Emotional Development

Coping Skills

Uses the toilet independently
Follows routines and expectations
Manages transitions and changes in routine
Tolerates frustration appropriately
Consistently separates easily from parents or caregivers
Demonstrates age-appropriate dressing and eating skills
Respect for others
Respects peers and adults
Respects his or her environment
Understands that positive and negative actions have consequences

Social Skills

Interacts appropriately with other children in large and small groups
Takes turns with adults and peers
Resolves conflicts with peers

Expressive Language Skills

Communicates with peers and adults
Communicates personal needs
Uses words to ask for help
Actively participates in conversations using reciprocal dialogue
Responds to open-ended questions

Receptive Language Skills

Listens attentively in large and small groups
Follows 2-step directions independently (at onset of Kindergarten)

Attention and Focus

Sustains attention during adult-directed activities for 10 minutes
Sustains attention during self-selected activities for 15 minutes
Exhibits impulse control

Pre-Academic Development

Academic Skills

Identifies colors
Identifies simple shapes
Counts to 20
Counts items up to 10 with one-to-one correspondence
Identifies written numerals 1 - 10
Holds a writing implement and scissors with functional grasp
Understands concepts of print
- how to track words with finger from left to right
- how to hold a book
Recognize characters/settings in a story
Understands role of author and illustrator
Pre-reads a story and re-tells the story from pictures
Recognizes first name with first letter uppercase and the rest lowercase
Writes first and last name
Identifies uppercase letters
Identifies lowercase letters
Recognizes letter sounds

Ways to Support Your Child’s Learning at Home

Social & Emotional Development

Ensure that your child uses the toilet independently; encourage your child to wipe when necessary, flush the toilet and wash his/her hands after each use
Wear clothes that he/she can manage independently
Encourage your child to dress him/herself in the morning; before going out to play, have your child put his/her shoes on the correct feet, put on his/her jacket and zip or button it; in snowy weather, encourage your child to put on snow pants and boots on the correct feet
Encourage your child to use a spoon or fork for food rather than fingers
Use meal times and car rides to encourage conversations
Allow children to experience and resolve conflict; help your child solve problems by offering alternative ways to do something or suggesting some words to use to resolve a conflict
Prepare your child for transitions and routines with the use of timers (practice routines on the weekend when you are not in a rush to get to school)
Encourage your child to express him/herself with words especially when becoming upset (e.g., not having immediate access to a desired item); encourage your child to identify the problem and possible solutions and then help your child to work out a solution
Ensure that your child uses the toilet independently; encourage your child to wipe when necessary, flush the toilet and wash his/her hands after each use
Model the use of phrases like “May I have a turn?” when playing a game or having a conversation
Practice 2-step directions, using words like “First, then”; ask your child to repeat the directions back to you

Pre-Academic Development

Read daily aloud books with rich vocabulary and use new words as you play and talk together
Sing simple nursery rhymes, read poetry, practice repeating rhyming words, and make up funny rhyming words
Read books that are fictional and informational texts; ask questions “Who, what, when, where, why and how” about the story; predict what may happen next; make a connection to your own life experiences
Story telling about places you go, family history, whats happens during their day, who they played with and favorite experiences of the day
Print your child’s name whenever possible, such as on drawings; encourage your child to write his/her name, while identifying the letter in their name
Discuss the parts of a story; identify the author and illustrator
Provide clipboards, paper or sticky notes to encourage writing and practice holding pencils, markers, or crayons
Draw figure and objects, practicing coloring within the lines
Count items in your house, such as pretzels for snack, toy cars, or steps as you walk
Sort items by same or different, and into categories: smallest to largest, putting together items of the same color, shape, or pattern
Visit the library; book suggestions and class schedules can be found online at http://www.norwalkpl.org/
Provide opportunities for your child to play and participate in groups, such as library story hours and neighborhood groups
Encourage the use of play dough; practice stringing beads and using scissors to strengthen finger/hand muscles
Read print in the community – store signs, names of food in grocery store, and labels

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District Overview

Kindergarten Registration

2024-2025 Kindergarten Registration

2024-25 Transition Plan

Step Into Kindergarten

Kindergarten at a Glance

Community Resources

Kindergarten Registration

Immunization Records

Lunch Information

Expectations for Kindergartners

Social & Emotional Development

Pre-Academic Development

Ways to Support Your Child’s Learning at Home

Social & Emotional Development

Pre-Academic Development