Kindergarten Roundup: Schools opening later this month to incoming kindergarteners

Alachua County elementary schools will open up its doors to incoming kindergarten students for the annual Kindergarten Round-Up later this month.

All elementary schools that serve kindergarten students will be open to incoming kindergarteners and their families on April 24 at 2 p.m. so they can learn more about their schools.

The roundup allows families of incoming kindergarten to bring their children to the school they will attend in the fall. Children and parents will have the opportunity to tour the campus, learn more about their school and talk with teachers and staff.

On April 24 parents can begin the online registration process for incoming kindergarten students, as well as any student who will be new to the district, at www.sbac.edu/enrollment. Under Florida law, a child must be age 5 on or before Sept. 1 to enroll in kindergarten.

Schools are open during the summer to help families with enrollment. If unsure about which school their child will be attending, families can visit the Alachua County Public Schools enrollment webpage or call the district’s Office of Student Assignment at (352) 955-7700

The district reminds parents to provide their child's zones school with several required documents before school starts, but preferably even earlier. These documents include a birth certificate, two proofs of residence in the parents' name (this can be a lease agreement, property tax statement, utility bill or other documents), immunization records and proof of a physical exam performed sometime within the last year.

The first day of school will be Monday, Aug. 12 for students at most schools. A new year-round calendar will be implemented at Metcalfe and Rawlings elementary schools for the upcoming school year, with school starting in July for those students.

Year-round:2 Alachua County schools are switching to year-round. But the calendars need some work

A final calendar for the two year-round has not yet been voted on and will return to the school board meeting agenda on April 16