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April
27 2010
Collaboration
makes kindergarten screenings
& registration a success
Nearly 40 children were screened Monday
 Nearly
40 children were registered and screened for kindergarten Monday
at a special event held in the
Schenectady School District Welcome Center which is located at the Ellis
Health Center. The event, designed to get students
ready for kindergarten as early and as easily as possible, was
the first of three scheduled within the week.
The district has
partnered with Ellis, Schenectady County Health Services, Child
Guidance, Schenectady County Action Program, Fidelis Insurance
and others to make kindergarten registration and preparation a
one-stop event.
The stations were
set and everyone was in place and ready early Monday morning to
greet the children and their parents. Workers were easy to find
as they all wore vests labeled with their role.
Each child and his
or her parents were warmly welcomed by Schenectady School
District and Ellis staff members as they walked through the
door.
 “This
is a proactive, preventative and collaborative approach to
provide services to kids before entering kindergarten,” said
Lynn Rafalik, director of pupil personnel services in the school
district. Rafalik was on hand for the entire day welcoming
families and guiding the youngsters and their parents through
the process. “Today is going extremely well,” said Rafalik
around mid-day. She
quickly moved to welcome a mother and her young son as they
entered the room.
Without hardly any waiting
time,
each pre-kindergarten student and his or her parents were guided
through a series of 10 stations which included mental health and
speech screenings, a dental checkup, hearing and vision testing,
weight and body mass index measuring and physical examinations.
Students also received any immunizations that were necessary.
The event, screenings and physical exams were free to all
families.
After checking out
in station ten, the final step of the process, parents had
paperwork in hand. Many walked out smiling and commenting
on how beneficial such an event was in preparing their children
for school. "No, we are not going to school today," said
one parent to her youngster who was carrying a tote bag full of
gifts. She smiled at the workers and said, "he wants to go to
school now."
Each child
received a bag, courtesy of Ellis, that included school
supplies, reading and math manipulates, a coupon for free ice
cream from Stewart's, and a t-shirt. Rafalik said all of
the items in the bag were donated. "Everyone has been
great," she said.
The registration
and screening are free to everyone because the medical care
providers, dentist, school nurses, Schenectady county health
personnel, pupil personnel staff and many other workers are
volunteering their time. Rafalik said in some cases the
workers have been shifted from usual offices or locations to
work at the event. "Everyone is happy to be here," she
added.
 Eight
high school students are also on hand over the three days to
help families move from station to station and to watch smaller
children in a child care and play area that is set up so parents
can focus on their pre-k child. Rafalik said the students were
selected by their guidance counselors and are students who want
to work in the medical, education or childcare field.
“This is truly a
collaborative effort,” said Rafalik who kept her eye on the door
waiting for the next family to arrive.
“The parents have
been happy,” Rafalik added as she smiled and waved to
the newest member of the Class of 2023 who was leaving the
center. "All he has to do
now is show up for orientation and school."
Kindergarten
screening and registration events will also be held on Friday,
April 30 and Monday, May 3. Please call 881-3412 to schedule an
appointment.
Items necessary for registration include:
Evidence of student age
(copy of birth certificate, passport)
Evidence of custody
(custody papers if parents are living a part or with guardian)
Evidence of immunization
(record signed by physician or medial/religious exemption)
Evidence of address verification
(utility/phone bill, cable bill, furniture rental agreement or
payroll check)
Copy of current physical if a kindergarten student
Picture ID for
the parent or guardian
Photos
Click on any thumbnail to view larger photo:
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