By Jean McDermott

Pacelli Catholic Schools

How quickly they grow up!  Your little one is about to start kindergarten! If you have a child turning five before Sept. 1, 2017, now is the time to review your options for kindergarten and begin the process of enrolling your child.

Pacelli kindergarten is an all-day, every-day kindergarten at the Pacelli Catholic Elementary School located at 511 Fourth Ave. NW.  The kindergarten school day runs from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Pacelli kindergarten is a faith and tuition-based kindergarten option in Austin. Catholic families of kindergarten-aged students for the 2017-2018 school year will be receiving registration information in the mail in the coming week. Families of all denominations are welcome to attend Pacelli schools. If you did not receive and would like registration information, you can call the Pacelli enrollment office at 507-437-3278 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to request registration information.

In March, Catholic kindergarten families will receive a registration packet. This completed packet, along with birth certificate and immunizations records, is brought to Pacelli kindergarten registration on March 23. Parents and kindergarten child will be scheduled to attend a one hour registration session at 11 a.m., 4 p.m. or 6 p.m. During this time parents will complete the registration process and learn more about Pacelli Catholic kindergarten and elementary school. Tuition and financial aid will be explained. Children will spend time in a kindergarten classroom with a kindergarten teacher where he/she will experience a few kindergarten activities with new friends and ride on a school bus!

By state law, all children must complete an early childhood screening before they can begin kindergarten. Parents are encouraged to get this completed as soon as possible if they have not already done so. Children may be screened any time after their third birthday. To schedule a preschool screening, contact 507-460-1709. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, children are required to be properly immunized before they can enroll in school. Children cannot begin kindergarten unless they are up to date with their shots. Immunization information is available from your family doctor, public health or online at www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/immunize/laws/index.html

We look forward to meeting our new kindergarteners in the near future. As an Austin community, we are fortunate to have two excellent choices for educating our children. We welcome you to check out the Pacelli Catholic Kindergarten option and decide if it is the right fit for your child.  As a parent, you are your child’s first teacher. We are excited to join you as a partner in your child’s spiritual,  academic and social development.