Pre-K Curriculum Pilot Update:

Somerset County Public Schools is working to replace our PK4 Curriculum. An extensive pilot project was initiated this fall.

Somerset County Public Schools has chosen Three Cheers For Pre-K. View Three Cheers for PK Here

Materials will be out on display at the Board of Education from Monday, April 22nd through Friday, May 3rd between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. The community is welcome to come and view these materials. No appointment is necessary.

Currently, SCPS is seeking Board approval for the adoption of this curriculum. This will be presented to the Board on Thursday, May 16, 2024.

Pre-K 3: To be eligible to enter Pre-K3 classes for the next school year, children must be three years of age by September 1 and must meet the income requirement (Up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines). THere are a limited number of PK3 slots available. Students with an IEP, English Language Learners and homeless students, who meet the age criteria, are eligible for this program, regardless of income. Pre-K 3 is offered at Princess Anne, Woodson and Deal Island Elementary School.

Pre-K 4: To be eligible to enter Prekindergarten classes for the next school year, children must be four years of age by September 1. 

Income Eligibility: Families must provide income information for all PK programs. • Current Tax return • One month of consecutive pay stubs (most recent) • Notarized Employment Letter • Notarized letter of no income

Program Information 

In Maryland, families (up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines) will be provided the opportunity to enroll their child in the Maryland Prekindergarten Programs and choose from several different settings, including public school and private provider settings. The options for private providers are based on the eligible private providers who applied and received a grant to participate this year. No private providers have opted to participate in Somerset County, at this time. Prekindergarten will be available at Princess Anne Elementary, Woodson Elementary and Deal Island Elementary.

Parents may also choose a child care program through LOCATE: Child Care, a free and confidential referral service that helps families find the best child care program to meet their needs. Click here to go to the website.

For more information about Somerset County Public Schools Pre-Kindergarten program, please call Karen Karten, Early Childhood Supervisor 410-651-1616 Ex. 11255  

What is Pre-K?
The over-all goal of the Pre-K program is to help children develop and maintain the basic skills in order to prepare them with the foundational knowledge necessary for school success in kindergarten and beyond.  

Pre-Kindergarten Locations

• Woodson Elementary School 

• Deal Island Elementary School

• Princess Elementary School

Kindergarten Program        
Kindergarten is a full day program for five year-old children.  Children must be age 5 by September 1, to be eligible for Kindergarten. For more information, please call the Early Childhood Office at 410-651-1616 ex 11255

Program Information
Kindergarten is a full day program for five year-old children. Code of Maryland Annotated Regulations (COMAR 13A.08.01.01B) requires that a child who resides in Maryland must attend a public or nonpublic kindergarten program regularly during the school year before entering the first grade unless the child is enrolled in an alternative program as specified in COMAR13A.08.01.02-2B. The over-all goal of the Kindergarten program is to provide a multitude of high-quality learning experiences that help children develop and maintain the basic skills necessary for learning in later years. Kindergarten curriculum is aligned to Maryland’s State Curriculum.  It is a pleasant place where young students are given opportunities to participate in and feel a part of school.

Kindergarten Waiver (deferred attendance)
If a child’s parents or legal guardians wish that kindergarten attendance be deferred for one year due to the child’s level of maturity, they must do the following:

• File a written request (Kindergarten Waiver) with the local Superintendent of Schools before the opening of the school year in which the child becomes five years-old, asking that enrollment be delayed due to the child’s level of maturity; and

• Register the child for enrollment in kindergarten the following school year.

Early Entrance to Kindergarten
Parents/guardians of children who wish to apply for early entrance to Kindergarten must meet academic achievement criteria and age appropriate developmental factors. Early entrance to Kindergarten does not mean automatic entry into First Grade the following year. Children who qualify for early entrance to Kindergarten must continue to be successful.

Parents who seek early entrance consideration should inquire at their home schools, and complete early entrance application along with a parent checklist on or before August 1st of the school year early admission is requested. The completed forms should be submitted to their home school. Requests will only be considered for early admission if the student's birthday falls on or before Octobober 15th.  Please see Early Admissions Policy 600-18 for additional information and forms to be completed.

Early Learning Pathways
During the first five years of your child’s life, your child’s brain undergoes the most dramatic changes; growing and developing more than any other time in their life. Everything your child experiences during this time has a profound impact on their later years and school success. Somerset County Public Schools understands that you, as a parent, are your child’s very first teacher. Therefore, we want to partner with you to help your family as your child travels down the path to kindergarten. This Early Learning Pathways is designed to help you prepare your child for the exciting journey to school.

Early Learning In Somerset County
All 4 year olds in Somerset County (who turn 4 by September 1) are encouraged to attend Pre-K. This FREE program is designed to give children that extra boost and get them ready for kindergarten learning.

Pre-K Everyday!  Attendance is important.
If you decide to enroll you child in public Pre-Kindergarten it is vital that they attend every day! Good attendance is a very important part of your child’s school success and this includes Pre-Kindergarten attendance.

Kindergarten
Kindergarten is a full day program and is not optional. All children who turn 5 by September 1 must register for kindergarten. (The State Board of Education regulations allow parents or legal guardians to submit a one-year level of maturity waiver for a kindergarten-age child if they believe that a delay in kindergarten attendance is in the best interest of their child. The child, however, must attend kindergarten the next year.)

Pre-K and Kindergarten registration for the 2023-2024 school year will open on April 3, 2023 through the online registration portal.

You will need to provide the following information:

• Proof of residency (lease or rental agreement, property tax bill, utility bill, etc.…) 

• Birth Certificate

• Immunization records

• Health Records/ Lead Screening

• Parent/ Guardian Photo ID

• *Household Income Verification (Pre-K3 and 4 Only)  including either a tax return, a month of paystubs or other proof of income from all adults living in the household.

If all students get into Pre-K 4, why do I need to enroll in the spring? 
We strive to provide a quality early childhood program with small class sizes and appropriate adult to child ratios. This requires planning. We need to know how many children will be enrolled so that we are able to hire the appropriate staff for the school year. Please help us with this by enrolling your child early. We hope to accommodate all families but we are only able to do this if families register on time!  

Pre-K 3: We have a limited number of Pre-K 3 slots.
Students attending Pre-K 3 must meet one of the following criteria: 

• Family income is up to 300% Federal Poverty Guidelines (Use this calculator to figure out family income)

• Family is in transition (Homeless)

• Student has an IEP

• English Language Learners

   

Final Thoughts: Partnering for School Success!
Though the first five years of a child’s life are essential to their school success, we also understand that the next 13-14 years will include a lot of important milestones in your child’s academic life. It is our desire to partner with you as you and your child join our school community. School and instructional staff are always there to answer questions and help you as your child transitions along the Early Learning Pathways. Welcome to Somerset County Public Schools!

Contact your child's school for registration details. 

View Our School Readiness Video

Pre-K Summer  Program
Somerset County Public Schools will offer a free 5 week summer program for students entering Pre-K3, Pre-K 4 and Kindergarten. Students must be fully enrolled in school by May 15, 2024, to register. Registration is online through Powerschool. Contact your child's school for more information. Your child will NOT automatically be enrolled in this program!

For additional information call Karen Karten at 410-651-1616 Ex 11255

School Contact Information

• Princess Anne Elementary School- 410-651-0481

• Deal Island Elementary School- 410-784-2449

• Woodson Elementary School- 410-968-1295

From 2001-2014, school readiness was measured by the Maryland Model for School Readiness (MMSR).  Starting in the 2014-2015 school year, Maryland began measuring school readiness using the Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA); this assessment looks at very different skills and abilities in young children.  

How did Somerset County do?

• After Covid, SCPS saw a decline in School Readiness and last year, 47% of Somerset County Kindergartners entered school with the skill in place to succeed in Kindergarten learning. 

Good news? More Maryland kindergarteners are ready for school. Bad news? It’s not nearly enough

Kindergarten Readiness In Somerset County 
The Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA) is one part of the Ready for Kindergarten assessment system in Maryland. The KRA is a kindergarten readiness tool that allows teachers to measure each child's school readiness across four domains: Social Foundations, Mathematics, Language and Literacy, and Physical Well-being and Motor Development.

Teachers administer the KRA to all children in kindergarten between the first day of school and November 1. More information about the Ready for Kindergarten system and the KRA are available at:  http://pd.kready.org/r4kmaryland.

An Individual Student Report will be available to parents of Kindergarten students each fall.  Once you receive this report you can set up time to discuss the results with your child's teacher.  Ask your child's  teacher what your child’s strengths are or where your child needs more help. Talk with your child's Kindergarten teacher to find out what the school will do to help your child be ready for learning the kindergarten curriculum.

• MD_KRA_ISR_English (3)

• MD_KRA_ISR_Spanish

Have you ever wished your child came with instructions? Ready4K provides the instructions you've been waiting for:

What is Ready4K?
Developed by educational researchers, Ready4K is an evidence-based family engagement curriculum, delivered via text messages.  All families in Somerset County are eligible for this engaging service.

The Ready4K family engagement curriculum supports the whole child from birth through kindergarten, in English, Spanish, and Arabic. Each week, parents and caregivers receive text messages with fun facts, easy tips, and growth activities on how to promote their children’s development by building on existing family routines – like pointing out letters on the shampoo bottle during bath time.

This is a FREE service (though text messaging rates may apply depending on your text messaging service provider). 

How do I sign up?
Simply Text SCJC to 70138

Don't forget to limit your child's screen time!  But here are some websites that are fun and educational. 

• ABC Mouse- Learning activities for children ages 2-8. 30 days free trial. 

• ABCya- Learning activities for children Pre-K through 6th grade.  

• PBS Kids- FREE educational games and activities for children ages 3-8. 

• Scholastic Learn At Home- Activities to keep your child busy. This website is updated weekly and includes online reading. 

• Storyline Online- videos featuring celebrated actors reading children's books.  

• 20 Virtual Trips To Take with Your Kids - Places to visit from the comfort of your home.

• Dr. Jean and Friends- Fun daily activities to do with your child. 

• Best Learning Websites- a great resource of websites perfect for young children. 

• Flyleaf Publishing- Free online emergent reader books. 

Some Additional Ideas (these may seem simple but they are tried and true!)

• Talk to your child. Ask them questions. 

• Sing songs together.

• Read! Read! Read!

• Keep a journal together. Have your child draw pictures.

• Practice writing everyday! 

• Go outside and play. 

• Try to keep a regular routine. Don't sleep the day away, have your child help around the house and make everyday activities into learning activities, stick to a regular bedtime. 

• The library is closed right now, but did you know that you can use your library card to check out online books and movies!  Visit Maryland's Digital Library or Hoopla.