Encourage parents to register for pre-K during Week of the Young Child on April 16-20

The Houston Independent School District is encouraging parents to register early for pre-K for the 2018-2019 school year during the Week of the Young Child, which is April 16 through 20.

Pre-registration will still be available before and after this week, but the Week of the Young Child will serve as a formal window for pre-K roundup and to showcase HISD programs and celebrate the district’s young learners. The Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Finding a program

To locate an Early Childhood Center or an HISD Elementary School, parents may visit HoustonISD.org/FindASchool. They can filter their search by clicking the PK grade level button in the Advanced Search. For more information, they also may email the HISD Early Childhood Curriculum Department at Curriculum@HoustonISD.org.

Eligibility

All children who will be 4 years old by Sept. 1 and live within the boundaries of HISD are welcome to apply. To be eligible for free pre-K, a child must meet any of the following criteria:

• Unable to speak and understand the English language
• Economically disadvantaged (eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program)
• Child of a member of the United States Armed Forces
• Has ever been in state foster care
• Homeless
• Child of a peace officer, firefighter, and emergency medical first responder eligible for the Star of Texas Award

If a student is not eligible based on the criteria above, he or she may be eligible for tuition-based pre-K if space is available.

To register

To secure a spot for their child, parents may contact the school of their choice or visit the HISD website HoustonISD.org/PreK to download an Intent to Apply form. They must have the following documents to register:

• Child’s official birth certificate
• Child’s immunization record
• Proof of address (utility bill)
• Proof of income (current pay stub)
• Photocopy of parent ID

To complete the registration process, parents must also submit an Official Pre-K Application Form, available 60 days before the first day of school. Forms may be downloaded online at HoustonISD.org/PreK or picked up at a campus. For more information about registration and the district’s enrollment policies, click here.

Week of the Young Child Celebration Suggestions

Raise Public Awareness:

• Hold pre-kindergarten round-up Weeklong event.
• Invite community members to assist with pre-registration.
• Publicly recognize those who work with and for young children in your school and community.

Reading and Writing:

• Coordinate special programs or classroom activities that include parents, businesses, feeder patterns, and other community partners.
• Work with local library, literacy organizations, civic clubs, book store owners and other members of the education community to plan community wide celebrations.
• Write letters or thank-you notes to campus personnel, such as cafeteria staff, the nurse, counselor, office staff, parents, etc.

Creativity and Play:

• Showcase students’ artwork throughout the campus.
• Have students make a video or picture book of their favorite school activities for the week to showcase.
• Organize an event to celebrate teachers and students.
• Have students develop a theme for the Dramatic Play center.

Click on the following link to read about additional ideas to celebrate.

Share tweets with pictures or video of your pre-kindergarten round-up event using #WOYC18 and tag @HISDECH. If you have any questions pertaining to pre-K enrollment, please contact Gabrielle Coleman at gcoleman@houstonisd.org, or call the Early Childhood Department at 713-556-6823.