First Day of Pre-Kindergarten in C-FB ISD

Our pre-kindergarten classes for eligible four-year-olds started this week. C-FB ISD begins this program a week later than other classes so that our pre-kindergarten staff has time to work with families to complete the eligibility process. We also take this occasion to help the families learn about how they help their children with school.

For those unfamiliar with the pre-kindergarten program, we have specific criteria that students must meet before students can become pre-kindergarteners.

The number one requirement is the child must be 4 years of age on or before September 1, 2009.

And, then the child must meet one of the following criteria:
1. Unable to speak and comprehend the English language.
2. Educationally disadvantaged (Eligible to participate in the national free or reduced-price lunch program.)
3. Homeless, as defined by 42 U.S.C. Section 11302, regardless of the residence of the child, of either parent of the child, or of the child’s guardian or other person having lawful control of the child.
4. Child of military: active, reserved, missing in action or who have died.

Once the children get into pre-kindergarten, they spend a half-day working on their oral language skills and other basic concepts. Our goal is to get them ready for kindergarten.

We visited the Pre-Kindergarten Center at the district’s Community Learning Complex (CLC), and our teachers and pre-kindergarten students were already hard at work.