Kindergarten Registration

We are so excited to have your child as a kindergarten student in New Hartford Public Schools!

Please review this information regarding school enrollment, proof of residency requirements, and information about our kindergarten program.

State legislation requires that students must be 5 years old on or before September 1st to be eligible for kindergarten.

To request information on the waiver process for early entry into kindergarten which includes a developmental readiness assessment, please contact the school.

Registration Requirements

The following Forms/Information are required for registration:

* Copy of child(ren) Birth Certificate(s) (required)
* Copy of a minimum of (2) of the following that indicate a New Hartford address

Proof of Residence (use two of the following choices):
- A current apartment or home lease agreement, a mortgage document, property tax record, rent receipt, homeowners insurance.
- A current utility bill (electric, gas, water), cable, home or cell phone bill, insurance correspondence.
- Current proof of government benefits (disability, Medicare, Supplemental Assistance Nutrition Program, SNAP) or other government correspondence showing an address.
- Current Connecticut driver's license, automobile registration, automobile insurance showing New Hartford address.

In addition (if applicable) please provide divorce decree, custody agreement, separation agreement.

For currently enrolled NHPS preschool, we ask that you verify all these records are on file with the school and you complete any additional kindergarten registration requirements.

Kindergarten Enrollment Packet

Please complete all of the following steps to register your child for kindergarten.

District Registration Form (online form)
Developmental History Form (online form)
Early Childhood Screening Form (online form, please provide this link to your Preschool/Daycare provider)
Transportation Information Form (online form)
CT Health Screening Assessment Form (completed by physician & parent) deliver completed form to school via fax, mail, or bring to school)

Additionally, you can find the current list of Immunization Requirements here.

I want to know more about...

Kindergarten Orientation and Open House

Kindergarten Activity Day and Parent Orientation

In the spring, all students who are registered for kindergarten will be invited to our annual Kindergarten Activity Day and Parent Orientation. This event is during the school day. Students will participate in several fun activities with staff members while the parents are invited to attend a presentation by the kindergarten teachers. Students will participate in a bus orientation and practice riding the bus around the block.

Kindergarten Open House / Meet and Greet

Your child will have the opportunity to visit the classroom and meet the teacher. This event is typically held in the evening a few days before the first day of school.

Bus Orientation and Transportation

Students will have an opportunity to have a practice bus ride as part of the kindergarten activity day in the spring prior to the start of school.

We partner with DATTCO bus company. During the school year, kindergarten students will have assigned seats at the front of the bus.

Please note that Bakerville students share a bus with Antolini students. NHES has buses that are exclusive to NHES students.

Expectations for Children Entering Kindergarten

Academic Skills

Identifies most colors
Identifies simple shapes
Counts to 10
Count items up to 10 with one-to-one correspondence
Identifies written numerals 1 - 10
Holds a pencil and scissors with functional grasp
Can hold a book
Can track words in a book with finger from left to right
Recognizes first name in upper case letters
Writes first name
Identifies some upper case letters (5-7)
Identifies some lower case letters (5-7)
Recognizes some letter sounds

Social and Emotional Development

Consistently separates easily from parents or caregivers
Uses the toilet independently
Demonstrates age-appropriate dressing and eating skills
Interact appropriately with other children in large and small groups
Takes turns with adults and peers
Listens attentively in large and small groups
Follows 2-step directions independently
Sustains attention during adult-directed activities for 10 minutes
Sustains attention during self-selected activities for 15 minutes
Exhibits impulse control

Lunch and Snack

After School Care

Immunization Requirements

Up-to-date immunizations are required by the State Department of Education and the State Department of Health.

In accordance with Connecticut State Law, a health assessment is required prior to public school enrollment in Kindergarten. A physical examination includes height, weight and blood pressure; hematocrit/hemoglobin lab studies; vision, hearing, speech and gross dental screenings; updating of immunizations and chronic disease assessment. The health assessment information must be on the State of Connecticut Health Assessment Record Form (form HAR-3).

Required Immunizations:

DTaP
MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella)
Hepatitis B
HIB
Hepatitis A

Additionally, if your child is under 5 years of age when entering kindergarten, they need one dose of pneumococcal on or after their 1st birthday.

Health and Medical Needs

Medication: Any medication must be brought to school by a parent or guardian. A doctor order form will need to be completed to authorize the appropriate school personnel to administer any medications. Medications must be supplied by the parent in the original pharmacy packaging.

Epipen: If your child has an allergy that requires an Epipen, a doctor's order authorization form is needed. However, in the case of an emergency, personnel are authorized to provide emergency Epipen administration.

Bowel or Bladder Accidents: We request that all kindergarten children have an extra set of clothes in their backpacks for these situations.

Your child's school placement is determined by your address and the overall kindergarten enrollment. Our goal is to provide an equitable number of students in each kindergarten classroom. If you have a child currently enrolled in grades 1 or 2, your kindergarten student will attend that same school.

Each year, a catchment area is defined by the transportation company and school system, known as the "swing line". This catchment area supports school placement decisions.