BEND, OR -- It’s kindergarten registration season. Families in the Bend-La Pine School District with kids who will be five years old on or before September first are invited to events this Saturday at a variety of local parks.
Lisa Birk, Executive Director of Elementary Programs, tells KBND News asking parents to register kids this early allows schools time to plan, “We can set students up in classrooms appropriately. We can make sure that parents are connected so that they are up to date on any of the events that are upcoming in their own schools. And they can just make sure that their student has all of the things in place to help them be successful on day one.” She says it benefits kids, too, “It just gets them connected with other adults. What we want our students to know is that every adult, whether it's your teacher or anybody who's kind of tall at your school, they are there to support you in whatever way is necessary. And so, we want them to feel comfortable both in our parks. But then also when they're coming to school. Parks are a really easy way for students to come in. Have the adults be able to meet with adults and get some paperwork done or other things done while kids are having fun climbing on a school bus, and looking through a little swag bag of all things related to getting ready for kindergarten.”
Registration and orientation events are in Bend, Sunriver and La Pine. Staff can also provide details on school boundaries and required enrollment documents.
Families can find the yellow school bus at the following locations on April 20:
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
- Hollygrape Park - 19489 Hollygrape Street, Bend
- Sun Meadow Park - 61141 Dayspring Drive, Bend
- Pilot Butte Neighborhood Park - 1310 NE Highway 20
- Sunriver/Three Rivers area - Oregon Water Wonderland 1 Mailboxes (South Century and Snow Goose)
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
- Education Center - 520 NW Wall St., Bend
- Ponderosa Park - 225 SE 15th St., Bend
- Canal Row Park - 1630 NE Butler Market Rd., Bend
- Frontier Heritage Park - 16405 First St., La Pine/Rosland area
Bend-La Pine Schools also hosts "Kinder Fiesta," a Spanish language kindergarten kick-off event, on Saturday, May 18 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the Education Center, 520 NW Wall St., Bend.
Click HERE to learn how to register online. When you’re ready to register, use THIS LINK link to get started. Find your neighborhood school through the district's Attendance Area page. Those who are not sure about their child’s school of attendance or who have additional questions about kindergarten registration can call 541-355-6820 to reach district staff who can answer questions in English and Spanish.
This story has been edited to include comments from Elemntary Programs Executive Director Lisa Birk
