A dual enrollment, collaborative effort between the Barron Area School District and the CESA 11 Head Start Program

BARRON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
PRE-KINDERGARTEN

A Program for Four/Five-Year-Old Children

Today's Play Is Tomorrow's Success

We believe learning should be a joyous journey not a race.  We believe primary age children succeed through play.  A pre-kindergarten program provides a vehicle for the journey through a safe, nurturing environment.  We believe a four-year-old program provides the beginning steps toward being a life-long learner.

Why Pre-Kindergarten?

The purpose of the program is to provide a developmentally appropriate atmosphere that encourages social, emotional, physical and intellectual growth and development of the child.  A wide variety of materials will be used to ensure a stimulating learning environment.  The program will offer numerous learning and play experiences in a setting with peers that many parents cannot provide for their children.  Research indicates that exposure to a preschool program significantly improves test scores, lowers dropout rates and special education referrals decrease.

Who is Eligible?

Children who are at least four years old on or before September 1 are eligible for pre-kindergarten.

How Do I Register?

Registration packets for the pre-kindergarten program will be mailed each spring to those parents who have expressed an interest.  There will be several forms for you to complete and return to Woodland Elementary School.  Please be sure to indicate your choices by preference on the bottom of the registration form.  If a program is full, you will be contacted about your second choice of program time.

What if My Child is 5?

If your child is five and you believe a second year of pre-kindergarten will be needed, it will be necessary to have a team assessment of your child.  The assessment will include:  recommendations from kindergarten screening, current preschool providers, and school psychologists if necessary.  It is our expectation that children in this program will be ready for kindergarten the following year.  Some children may not be ready for a pre-kindergarten or kindergarten experience, and may be asked to wait another year before beginning school.  All cases will be handled on an individual basis.

Providers:

The Barron Area School District will be able to provide several different options for preschool.  Woodland Elementary School, and if your family is eligible you may enroll in the Head Start Program located in Dallas.

Transportation:   

There will be busing one way for your child, unless they are in Head Start.  Head Start provides transportation both to and from the Head Start Centers.  You may however, choose to provide your own transportation.  We hope to work with you to provide the best options for your child. 

Wrap Around Service:

At Woodland Elementary School, childcare before and after pre-kindergarten will be available for 1 hour at the beginning of the school day (7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.) and 1 hour at the end of the school day (3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.).  There will be a $5 per hour charge for this service.  We will not be able to extend arrival and departure times during the noon hour.

The Barron Area School District is very excited to be able to provide this opportunity for families who wish their child to have a pre-kindergarten opportunity!

Contact Information:

BARRON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

100 West River Avenue

Barron, WI 54812

Phone:  715-537-5612

Fax:  715-637-5161

Dallas Head Start Phone:  715-837-1180