The kindergarten year is a critical time in a child's early development and learning. Recent research shows that children benefit most when they are provided opportunities to learn new information in a variety of ways and to put their new and emerging skills to use. A quality kindergarten program supports whole-child learning and development and provides children with the time they need to build the foundational skills and the joy of learning which will support them throughout school and life. Starting kindergarten is a big step for children. They will meet new people, spend time in a new classroom and learn new rules. As a parent or caregiver, you can help your child start kindergarten ready to succeed. In their earliest years, children can learn so many things simply through playing, exploring, and reading with you. It's never too early to give your child a lifelong love of learning!

Full-Day Kindergarten 

Granite Falls School District merits early learning and recognizes the importance of full-day kindergarten for our students. All students who will be 5 years of age by August 31 are eligible to enroll in Kindergarten at Granite Falls School District. We offer full-day kindergarten at Mountain Way Elementary. Making full-day kindergarten accessible for all students is important because research shows that children participating in developmentally appropriate, full-day programs make greater gains both socially and academically. Full-day kindergarten provides young learners the time they need to engage in learning in ways that effectively support them in building the foundational social and academic skills they need to support learning throughout their education.

Research shows that children who participate in full-day kindergarten have:

• Stronger foundations and skills for elementary grades
• Greater overall academic achievement
• Improved attendance
• Enhanced literacy and language development and math
• Better social and emotional development

Join us for Kindergarten Round-Up! Please complete the registration packet and kindergarten specific forms found on the Registration & Enrollment page. Early registration is strongly encouraged!

Early Entry

The Granite Falls School District offers Early Entrance to Kindergarten. For those students with birthdates between September 1 and October 15, Early Entrance may be permitted based on the results of assessments and observations administered by the District. If you are interested in possible Early Entrance for your Kindergarten student, please reach out to Rhodora dela Cruz, Principal at Mountain Way Elementary School at rdelacruz@gfalls.wednet.edu or Dawn Munn, Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director of Teaching and Learning at dmunn@gfalls.wednet.edu. See below for Granite Falls School District Board Policy 3110P regarding procedures for Early Entrance:

Early Entrance for Kindergarten and First Grade

1. An early entrance candidate for Kindergarten or first grade is defined as a child whose fifth {Kindergarten)or sixth (first grade) birthday falls between (and includes) September 1 and October 15. Proof of age is required.
2. Parents may apply for permission to enter such child by contacting the district office who will advise them of the procedures.
3. Children who are candidates for early entrance will be screened in several developmental areas to determine their readiness for kindergarten or first grade. Candidates must score at an above average level in all evaluation areas.
4. A team of district teachers and/or psychologists will conduct the early entrance evaluations. We no longer accept results from private psychologists. Testing will occur in late Spring of the year of requested entry as outlined in the Early Entrance Parent Packet. Parents must submit applications to the District office no later than the date indicated in the packet. No additional appointments will be scheduled after this date.

a. Candidates will be screened by a district team.
b. A fee of no more than $100 will be charged for the evaluation.
c. Families who qualify for free or reduced lunch will not be charged a fee.

d. Early entrance candidates will be expected to attend a neighborhood school for Kindergarten or first grade.
e. Approved Kindergarten candidates must attend Kindergarten Jump Start during the summer if Kindergarten Jumpstart is provided.
f. A child, regardless of age, who successfully has completed a Kindergarten program in a public or private school shall be permitted entry to their assigned district school for first grade:

i. The private Kindergarten program standards must substantially equal or exceed the applicable basic education program requirements and the school must be accredited through the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).
ii. A Granite Falls School District psychologist in conjunction with the school principal and Executive Director of Teaching and Learning will review the child's records from the private school and make a final determination for early entrance into first grade.

5. The screening and evaluation process will be completed by June 30. The district will communicate the screening/evaluation results and placement decision to parents by the first week in August.
6. Successful Kindergarten candidates must also attend Jump Start for Kindergarten during the summer if Kindergarten Jumpstart is provided.
7. Successful Kindergarten or first grade early entrance candidates will also be evaluated by the teacher and school team during a 25 school-day trial period. The child must start on the first day of school and have good attendance during this trial period. The school team makes the final decision on whether or not the child may stay in Kindergarten or first grade and may ask the child to withdraw at any time during the trial period.
8. Parents may request a conversation with the Executive Director for Teaching and Learning for children who did not meet the screening criteria for early entrance.
9. A student shall be admitted to Kindergarten or first grade if the child has been attending a public school Kindergarten or first grade while residing in a district other than the Granite Falls School District and moves to the Granite Falls School District during that school year.

Kindergarten Preparation

You may want to review this list and see if there is anything else you would like to teach your child before those first days of school.

• Identify some letters of the alphabet
• Grip a pencil, crayon, or marker correctly (with the thumb and forefinger supporting the tip)
• Use scissors, glue, paint, and other art materials with relative ease
• Write his first name using upper- and lowercase letters, if possible
• Count to 10
• Bounce a ball
• Classify objects according to their size, shape, and quantity
• Speak using complete sentences
• Recognize some common sight words, like "stop"
• Identify rhyming words
• Repeat his full name, address, phone number, and birthday
• Play independently or focus on one activity with a friend for up to ten minutes
• Manage bathroom needs
• Dress himself
• Follow directions
• Clean up after himself
• Listen to a story without interrupting
• Separate from parents easily

Don't panic if your child hasn't nailed everything on the list - he/she will learn a lot in kindergarten! What's more important is to wean him/her from relying on you to do things she could do herself, such as zipping her jacket or tying her shoes. Give him/her the chance to show you what they can do for themselves - you might be in for a few surprises!

Other Resources:

WaKids Summer To-Do List to help ensure children get a great start in Kindergarten
Your Child's Education
Center for Improvement of Student Learning  
Free Developmental Child Find Screening Any child, from birth to age five, is eligible for a free screening of your child's development including large muscle development, fine motor skills, personal-social skills, and much more. For contact information, take a look at our information brochure.

Transportation for Kindergartners

Kindergarten students must be met by a parent/guardian or other adult at the bus stop. Alternatively, kindergarten students can be released from the bus with an older sibling. If you are a kindergarten student's parent, please tell the transportation staff if someone other than you will be meeting your child or if your child should be released with an older sibling. Please be prepared to show identification.

If you have questions regarding your child's Kindergarten preparation or enrollment, please don't hesitate to contact the school directly:

Mountain Way Elementary
702 N. Granite Avenue
Granite Falls, WA 98252
Phone: 360-691-7719
Fax: 360-283-4416