Kindergarten Enrollments Important to Keeping Teachers

 In order to ensure that Severna Park elementary schools keep their teachers, PTA representatives and principals are asking parents of upcoming kindergarten students to please register early for the 2011-12 school year.

Parents of children who turn age 5 between Sept 1, 2010 and Aug 31, 2011 are eligible to enroll in kindergarten in the fall.

"If your child will go to public school in the fall, you should register your child as soon as possible so the county can be sure to have the proper number of kindergarten teachers assigned to Severna Park schools," said Jessica Farrar, of Jones Elementary School PTA.

"The impression I'm getting is that parents don't realize that the county is expecting more kids next year. They have to allocate the teachers as they get additional enrollment - if we are only at 60 percent, that's a big deal."

The more accurate count you have, the better the teacher allocations will be," said Farrar.

kindergarten orientation  is at 2 p.m. on Friday (June 10).

Currently, Jones has three kindergarten classes, said Principal Sara Pickens, and to date,the school has under 30 new students enrolled, ideally the number would be about 56, she said.

"I want to encourage anyone in Severna Park to enroll in kindergarten a.s.a.p. to ensure adequate staffing for all the programs we have next year, she said.

Waiting until summer to register could cause problems. "There are school in the county that have high enrollment at this time, they can choose to move teachers around. We want to make sure we don't lose teachers and get the word out there,"  said Pickens.

Oak Hill Elementary School has 52 new kindergarten students enrolled plus 14 moving up from Pre-K. "It looks to be about the same as last year," said Charlene Lull, Oak Hill's school secretary.

kindergarten orientation is from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Thursday (June 9).

"Kindergarten orientation is such a great chance for your kid to the school. nice way to warm them up for next year, it's a great program," said Farrar.

Currently kindergarten enrollment at is in the low 40s, which is "about right" according to a school secretary.

has also held orientation. No further information was available on enrollment.

already had parent meeting and orientation, but registrations are ongoing at all of the schools.  Keep in mind, that the elementary schools start a four day work week on June 24. Schools will be open Mon-Thurs, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Aug. 5 before resuming a regular five day week, said Denise Storke, Shipley's Choice secretary.  "I wouldn't want anyone to take off work or come up here when the building is closed."

is holding their orientation at 2:30 p.m. Friday (June 10) at Folger's temporary location, 4804 Mountain Road, Pasadena.

"If enrollment is low as we go into summer months, our schools may be at risk of having teaching positions cut from Severna Park," said Farrar.

For information on registering, http://www.aacps.org/studentservices/enroll.asp.

Or you may contact the school directly.

Here are your elementary school phone numbers:

Benfield Elementary - 410-222-6555

Folger McKinsey Elementary – 410-222-6560

Jones Elementary – 410-222-6565

Oak Hill Elementary – 410-222-6568

Severna Park Elementary – 410-222-6577

Shipley's Choice Elementary – 410-222-3851