Press Release from the San Leandro Unified School District -
Enrollment is now underway for the new Transitional Kindergarten program and the district is encouraging parents to register students by June 30.
The school district is offering the exciting new program called Transitional Kindergarten beginning this Fall for children turning 5 years old between November 2 and December 2.
This Kindergarten readiness program will be a bridge between preschool and kindergarten and will give children whose birthdays fall late in the year an opportunity to learn important academic and social skills in a hands-on way that supports their development.
Transitional Kindergarten is free, part of public school education and designed to provide children a specialized and developmentally appropriate curriculum aligned with kindergarten standards. The program will be taught by credentialed teachers. It is a two-year kindergarten, with children moving to a traditional kindergarten class in the second year.
“Transitional kindergarten is a wonderful new option that will allow families to give their children the gift of time to develop at their own pace and continue building the social, emotional and academic skills that will help them succeed in elementary school,” said San Leandro Unified School District Superintendent Cindy Cathey, adding that many of the skills children were once taught in first grade are now expected in kindergarten.
Designed as part of a two-year kindergarten for “young fives,” transitional kindergarten is part of the Kindergarten Readiness Act (SB 1381), signed into law in 2010. In addition to creating transitional kindergarten, the law shifts the age of children entering kindergarten, phasing in the new required birthday for admission over three years (October 1 in 2013, and September 1 in 2014 and each school year thereafter). When fully implemented, 120,000 children statewide will benefit from transitional kindergarten.
“We are excited about this wonderful opportunity to offer “young fives” a head start with the intent that it is the first year of a two year Kindergarten program,” said Superintendent Cathey.
Although San Leandro Unified School District’s Transitional Kindergarten program is going to be offered at two sites ( and ) this upcoming school year, it is open to all eligible children in the District.
Superintendent Cathey said that parents are encouraged to enroll their children at their home school by June 29, before school offices are closed for summer. Late registrations will begin on August 13, when office staff is back in the schools.
“Please pass the word to those you know who may qualify for Transitional Kindergarten,” added Superintendent Cathey. “Our kindergarten teachers are excited about this opportunity for our youngest students, and so am I. Parents now have an additional option to ensure their children enter kindergarten with the maturity and skills they need to excel.”
For more information, contact Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, Debbie Wong at 510-667-3509 or by email at dwong@sanleandro.k12.ca.us .
