Calling parents of the Class of 2034!
Registration
materials are now available for families of students who will be
entering the Utica Community Schools kindergarten program this fall.
In
addition, families will be invited to multiple virtual or face-to-face
activities to welcome them to the UCS family, including a March 18
virtual kindergarten open house.
“Kindergarten
is an exciting time for children and parents, and we are pleased to
begin welcoming our newest members of the Utica Community Schools
family,” interim superintendent Robert Monroe said. “We are proud of our
nationally-recognized, developmentally appropriate kindergarten program
offered in a nurturing, supportive and safe learning environment.”
UCS
provides students comprehensive instruction in core academic areas of
reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies. Students also
receive instruction from specialized teachers for media
center/technology, art, music and physical education.
In
addition, UCS offers a personalized blended learning program at the
early elementary level that allows teachers to use technology – iPads,
laptops and SMART boards – to support an environment based on each
student’s learning style and pace. The program has been honored at
national and state levels for its innovation and impact on learning. All
kindergarten students receive a personal device that is preloaded with
apps tailored to their instructional needs and used by UCS teachers.
Children
are eligible for kindergarten if they turn five years old on or before
September 1, 2021. However, children who turn five between September 1
and December 1, 2021 are eligible to enroll in kindergarten if their
parents submit a waiver form.
Parents can begin the registration process by visiting http://www.uticak12.org/kindergarten.
The on-line process will allow families to sign up for kindergarten and upload necessary documents. Documents include:
- Child's birth certificate
- Michigan driver's license, Michigan ID or appropriate employment picture ID
- Lease agreement, closing papers or property tax bill
- Immunization
records detailing the day, month and year your child was vaccinated
against measles, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, polio, hepatitis B and
other serious illnesses.
Once
registered, parents will receive an outreach from their child’s schools
with information and activities that will help their child transition
during this exciting time.
One
important activity for 2021-22 kindergarten families is a virtual
kindergarten open house, scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March
18.
At
the virtual open house, parents will have the opportunity to learn
about the district's curriculum and interact with school staff.
Elementary
schools are also planning on special face-to-face orientations for
kindergarten families in the spring and prior to school.