Getting Registered for Kindergarten

January 6, 2009

Hawthorn's Kindergarten Registration Season for the 2009-10 school year kicks off with an important parent meeting on Thursday, January 29 beginning at 7 p.m. at Hawthorn Middle North. During this meeting, parents will learn more about the overall Hawthorn curriculum, our four elementary schools, and the registration process. Read on for more answers to frequently asked questions.


Q: What is determination date for Hawthorn kindergarten?

A: Children who turn 5 by September 1, 2009 are eligible for Hawthorn kindergarten for the 2009-10 school year beginning in the fall.


Q: When do I register my child for kindergarten?

A: The whole registration process starts with the very important Hawthorn Kindergarten Parent Information Meeting, planned for Thursday, January 29 beginning at 7 p.m. at Hawthorn Middle School North, 201 Hawthorn Parkway, Vernon Hills (north of Route 60/Townline Road between Aspen and Butterfield roads). During this meeting, you will learn about the Hawthorn Kindergarten Experience, hear from all four of our elementary principals, and be informed about the registration process. Registration packets will also be distributed. Once you have completed your registration forms, a parent or legal guardian must appear in person to complete the registration process beginning February 9 at the Hawthorn District Office, 841 West End Court, Vernon Hills. In-person kindergarten registration is available through the end of February. More details are outlined on the schedule provided at the end of this article.


Q: When and where can I pickup the Kindergarten Registration Packet?

A: Parents who attend the Kindergarten Parent Information Meeting on January 29 will receive the packets first. The packet includes a variety of forms that can be filled out prior to conducting your in-person registration. Packets will also be available at the District Office (841 West End Court off Hawthorn Parkway) and in school offices beginning January 30. Many documents, including medical forms, are also posted on the District website's Forms & Documents webpage.


Q: What school will my kindergartener attend?

A: Hawthorn is divided into North and South Neighborhoods that are served by four elementary schools and two middle schools. Hawthorn's four elementary schools are schools of choice, with enrollment based on space availability. Our North Neighborhoods lie north of Route 60 (Townline Road) and west of Lake Charles. Our South Neighborhoods lie south of Route 60 (Townline Road) and east of Lake Charles. Our North Neighborhood families may choose to attend Elementary North, Aspen or Townline elementary schools. Our South Neighborhood families may choose to attend Elementary South, Aspen or Townline elementary schools. As part of the registration process, parents will complete an application outlining their first choice for a school. A student is then placed in a school based on this parent request and the availability of space within the building. (Students with older siblings already enrolled in a building are given priority placement in order to keep families together.)


Q: What do kindergarteners learn and do at Hawthorn?

A: All kindergarten classrooms in all of our buildings follow the same comprehensive Hawthorn curriculum. The summary Curriculum Guide for Parents: Kindergarten offers an overview of what you can expect your child to learn and be able to do, as aligned with the key learning standards that will be covered in kindergarten. More information is available in the comprehensive 2008-09 Hawthorn Curriculum Guide, which is continuously updated. A revised version is created each fall.


Q: Does the curriculum change between buildings or classrooms?

A: No. The overall curriculum is identical for each classroom and each building. Teachers are working to introduce, explore and refine the same standards-based learnings and skills. That said, teachers must also differentiate instruction to best meet each student's learning needs. The goal is to offer appropriate supports and challenges so that all children - those who need extra support, those who are right on target, and those who are ahead of the game - can reach their fullest potential.


Q: What is the difference among the schools?

A: What may be a better question is, "What's the same?" All Hawthorn kindergarten teachers and students work toward the same standards-based learning goals, as outlined by the Hawthorn curriculum (see earlier question).

While all schools in Hawthorn District 73 follow the same core curriculum and achievement guidelines, individual teachers and entire schools also draw from a number of best-practice teaching philosophies. It is this focus on different philosophies that is the main point of difference among our elementary schools as educators use these philosophies to create a common language and framework upon which they built their efforts.

Teachers across the District are familiar with all of the philosophies used in our elementary schools, including Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences, the William Glasser Quality School Model and Choice Theory. While the vocabulary and tenets of each philosophy are unique, they all focus on the many different ways in which children learn, and the various methods to effectively and engagingly reach these students. (Links to websites offering information about the various philosophies is provided in the "Resources" list at the end of this article.)

Note that to a parent or student, the differences in these building philosophies will probably be very subtle. You will see that your child's teacher will work hard to teach core concepts using multiple methods, and find imaginative ways to engage your student in hands-on experiences. You will see that the lines between math, science, language arts, social studies and related arts often blur as cross-curricular lessons help reinforce deeper learning. You will see that all of our schools stress the importance of creating and maintaining a safe and orderly environment where students can not only focus on learning, but can also feel comfortable exploring and expressing their newfound knowledge and skill.

You will also notice that each of our buildings offers an outstanding learning environment, with all buildings being newly built or substantially upgraded over the past few years. All of our elementary schools offer state-of-the-art classrooms, well-stocked library media centers, spacious gym/lunch/assembly spaces and fun playgrounds. Teachers incorporate technology into all grades as students use tools such as laptops, interactive white boards and school-based broadcast labs to research, create and present new learnings.


Q: What are some of the main questions families consider when selecting an elementary school?

A: Since your child will learn the same information at each of our schools, and since the classroom is equally effective and engaging in each building, what are the deciding factors people use to request a school? For many people it’s a question of logistics. Here are a few questions parents tend to consider when selecting a school:

• Are siblings already attending a school? If so, having students in the same building can make for a much more manageable family schedule. Because this is a logical preference for families, priority is given to keeping siblings together. Therefore, when it comes to registration and placement, schools set aside space for incoming kindergarten students who have older siblings already attending the school.


• Will friends or neighbors attend a particular school?


• Is the start and end time of the school day a factor for your family? Aspen's school day starts earlier with kindergarteners attending from 7:55 to 10:40 a.m. or 11:25 to 2:10 p.m.;
  Elementary North and South kindergarten sessions are from 8:40 to 11:25 a.m. and 12:10 to 2:55 p.m.; Townline's kindergarteners attend from 8:50 to 11:35 a.m. or 12:20 to 3:05 p.m.


• Is the size of the building important to you? While actual enrollment differs, the approximate capacity for Elementary North and Elementary South is 750 students in Kindergarten through Grade 5; Aspen capacity is about 450 K-5 students; Townline capacity is approximately 900 K-5 students.


• Are you interested in the District's Dual Language (Spanish/English) Program? If so, that is housed at Townline Elementary. Please note your interest on the Elementary Building/Dual Language Application, which is available in the Kindergarten Registration Packet.

Q: Once I receive my Kindergarten Registration Packet, how do I complete the process?

A: Please complete the paperwork in the packet, and gather the items you will need to verify that you are a resident of Hawthorn District 73. (More information about verifying residency is outlined on the Residency Verification form as well as on the Registration Information webpage. A parent or legal guardian must then appear in person at the Hawthorn District Office (841 West End Court) to complete the registration process. No appointments are needed for walk-in registration, which begins February 9, 2009 and is available each regular school day from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (The office is closed and registration unavailable on days when school is closed, for instance, Presidents' Day on February 16, 2009.) The in-person registration process is fairly detailed and may require as long as an hour to complete once the process is underway. Registration will also be available on the evenings of Thursday, February 12 and Tuesday, February 24 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The deadline to complete in-person registration is February 27 at 3:30 p.m. Incoming Kindergarteners will also take part in a short diagnostic screening prior to classroom placement. Families interested in participating in the Dual Language Program will set their screening appointments during in-person registration. The bulk of our families will be contacted after in-person registration to set up a short screening appointment. We expect to be able to send welcome letters notifying parents of their school placement by early May.



KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION TIMELINE:

• Kindergarten Parent Information Meeting: 7 p.m., Thursday, January 29 at Middle North


• Registration Packets available at District Office and elementary schools: beginning Friday, January 30


• Elementary North Building Tours: Monday, February 2 – 8 to 8:30 a.m.; 6:30 to 7 p.m.


• Elementary South Building Tours: Monday, February 2 – 8 to 8:30 a.m.; 6:30 to 7 p.m.


• Townline Building Tours: Tuesday, February 3 – 8 to 8:30 a.m.; 6:30 to 7 p.m.


• Aspen Building Tours: Thursday, February 5 – 8 to 8:30 a.m.; 6:30 to 7 p.m.


• In-Person Kindergarten Registration Begins: Monday, February 9 – 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.


• In-Person Kindergarten Registration Evening Hours: Thursday, February 12 – 5 to 8 p.m.


• District Office Closed/No Registration: Monday, February 16


• In-Person Kindergarten Registration Evening Hours: Tuesday, February 24 – 5 to 8 p.m.


• In-Person Registration Deadline: Friday, February 27 at 3:30 p.m.


• Kindergarten Diagnostic Screenings: Throughout March


• Kindergarten Welcome/Placement Letters: Mailed sometime in April or early May

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Hawthorn District 73 website - www.hawthorn73.org

Kindergarten Curriculum Guide

Complete Hawthorn Comprehensive Curriculum (2008-09)

Introduction to Hawthorn District 73, Our Six Schools and Our Philosophies of Learning

Howard Gardner and the Theory of Multiple Intelligences - www.howardgardner.com

William Glasser Institute and Choice Theory - www.wglasser.com

Leonard Bernstein Institute and the Theory of Artful Learning - wwww.artfullearning.com


Hawthorn Registration Process

Hawthorn Forms and Documents

Hawthorn Bus Program

Hawthorn District 73 online calendar



CONTACT INFORMATION:

Elementary North
301 Hawthorn Parkway, Vernon Hills
847-990-4500
Principal Richard Viviano

Elementary South
430 North Aspen Drive, Vernon Hills
847-990-4800
Principal Jill Martin

Aspen Elementary
500 N. Aspen Drive, Vernon Hills
847-990-4300
Principal Tom Springborn

Townline Elementary
810 North Aspen Drive, Vernon Hills
847-990-4900
Principal Karen Cencula

Hawthorn District 73 Office
841 West End Court, Vernon Hills
847-990-4200