Montgomery County Public Schools will hold the 2004 kindergarten orientation program from Monday, March 22, through Friday, May 28. Special registration and orientation programs are scheduled at elementary schools throughout the county.

The kindergarten orientation is designed to help parents enroll their children, including the completion of health forms, and to assist students in becoming acquainted with future friends and the school's environment.

Children who will be five years old on or before October 31, 2004, are eligible to begin kindergarten in August. Parents are asked to register children for next year's kindergarten on the date scheduled for the elementary school that serves their neighborhood. Parents who are not certain which elementary school serves their area should contact the Montgomery County Public Schools boundary office at 301-279-3331 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday.

An Early Entrance to Kindergarten application process is available for children who will be 5 years old between November 1 and 30, 2004. Parents who seek early entrance consideration for their children should inquire at their home schools.

Each school has additional information on registration procedures, and parents are asked to call the school to make an appointment to register on the dates listed for their school.

At the kindergarten orientation, parents and students will meet the school principal, kindergarten teacher, and other school staff members. There will be fun activities for children and an opportunity for parents to ask questions about the school's procedures and programs.

No screening tests or screening procedures will take place during the orientation. It is primarily an opportunity for children to look forward to coming to school in August and to begin to build an important partnership between home and school.

NOTE: A school-by-school schedule of orientation days for kindergarten is available at the link below.