Kindergarten roundups on the calendar

The Daily Inter Lake

Kindergarten roundup days are here again.

As schools across the valley prepare for next fall's class of their newest students, they are scheduling screening and registration sessions this spring.

In order to enter school in the fall, a child must reach his or her fifth birthday on or before Sept. 10.

Parents need to bring their prospective kindergartners along with their birth certificates and immunization records.

This year, there's one change to the shots needed - a child entering kindergarten must have a second MMR before starting school. Generally, the first shot has been administered between 12 and 15 months of age, and the second when the child is 4 or 5.

Make note of these sessions now planned over the coming weeks:

. Bigfork - Kindergarten roundup is planned for April 7 and 8, from 8:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. Please call the school at 837-7412, extension 321, to schedule an appointment.

. Hungry Horse - Canyon Elementary will offer appointments between 8:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. April 14 in the Canyon school. Call the office at 387-5323 to set a time.

Parents of new kindergarten students are invited to the school from 6 to 7 p.m. April 12 for an orientation evening. The kindergarten teacher will talk about the kindergarten program and lay out some plans for the coming school year.

. Columbia Falls - Ruder and Glacier Gateway elementary schools will join for kindergarten roundup on April 21 and 22.

Students for both schools will register at Ruder Elementary, at the corner of 12th Avenue and Talbott Road. Use the doors at the northeast entrance near the kindergarten rooms.

To schedule an appointment, call the Glacier Gateway office at 892-6540, weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

For anyone who still needs shots, an immunization clinic will be held in Columbia Falls from 9 a.m. to noon April 12 in the ambulance barn near City Hall.

. Whitefish - Muldown Elementary's doors will be open between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. April 22. Parents and their children are welcome to drop by and meet the kindergarten teachers and visit the classrooms.

Feel free to call the office at 862-8620 with any questions.

. Kalispell - Register kindergarten students on May 4 at the Flathead County Health Department, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell. School personnel will be available from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the conference room there.

For anyone who still needs immunizations that day, health department officials can offer that service on the premises.

If you miss registration on May 4, go to the District 5 administration office any business day through June 10. It is located at 233 First Ave. E. above the Flathead County Library in Kalispell.

. Smith Valley - Appointments will be scheduled on May 10 between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Set a time for your child by calling the office at 756-4535.