Pre-K Overview

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    The Atlanta Public Schools' Pre-Kindergarten program is funded by the Georgia State Lottery, governed by Bright from the Start and partners with Head Start at selected locations.  The APS Pre-K program is an age-appropriate instructional program that prepares students for a successful transition to kindergarten and beyond.  Additionally, this nurturing environment addresses students' academic, social and emotional needs while preparing for kindergarten readiness.  Our goal is to ensure that all students gain the needed foundational skills to propel them into a successful future.  
     
    Atlanta Public Schools has 56 Pre-K classrooms at 37 school sites across the district.   The school system continues to serve approximately 1150 Pre-K children each year.  Due to a limited number of seats, a lottery process is used as the fairest method of filling classes. 
     
    **  All Pre-k Sites and the number of classes at each site is tentative and subject to change.  Official approval of programs is given in May of each year.

What Will My Child Learn in Pre-K? 

  • The Atlanta Public Schools Pre-K program is grounded in state standards for developmentally-appropriate instruction. We've adopted a new curriculum to support robust student learning that encourages play, creativity, and curiosity in learning across all content areas.

    GELDS Image 

    These research based early learning standards identify what students from birth to age 5 should know and be able to do. The standards are written as a continuum of skills and behaviors that children should develop during the critical early learning years. The GELDS support the growth of the whole child and encompass the physical, social-emotional and cognitive aspects of learning and development in an age appropriate manner. The GELDS promote quality early experiences and are aligned to the K-12 Georgia Standards of Excellence. You can learn more about GELDS here. 

    Ready to Advance Curriculum Pic
     
    Ready to Advance includes 10 comprehensive units based on interconnected topics and concepts blending social-emotional experience with academic learning. The research-based curriculum is grounded in the understanding of how young children learn, recognizing the diversity of their experiences, and meeting them where they are to help them be kindergarten ready.
    1. All About Me
    2. Families & Friends
    3. Communities & Health
    4. Community Jobs & Fall
    5. Celebrations & Winter
    6. Animals
    7. Transportation
    8. Spring & Growing Things
    9. Farms & Food Sources
    10. Insects & Ecology

    The program supports instruction across all domains of learning and has been correlated to GELDS for Pre-K:

    • Foundational Skills
    • Social and Emotional Development
    • Speaking and Listening
    • Health and Physical Development
    • Social Studies
    • Math
    • Language and Literacy
    • Science
    Emergent Writing Guide Image

    Ready to Advance Early Learning features essential emergent writing instruction. Children gain knowledge of and interest in writing as they are continually exposed to print and writing in their environment. Ready to Advance Early Learning provides multiple strategies teachers can use to scaffold children’s writing. Teachers, by being aware of children’s current fine motor abilities and their progress in emergent writing, can use a mix of these strategies to foster growth in each child's zone of proximal development. 

Parents Need to Know

  • Virginia-Highland Elementary will be the best point of contact for most of your questions once the enrollment process is complete. Here are some things you may want to reach out to ask!

    • The VHE School Team Can Support With: 
      • Parties, Holidays, and School Events
      • Calendars
      • Nutrition Questions or Concerns
      • Transportation Specifics
      • Uniforms
      • School Supplies (but see suggestions below)
    • Communication:  Please reach out to them to learn more about communication and sign up for VHE's digital newsletter to get the most up to date information! 
    • Book Bag Check: Information will come home in your child's bookbag - please be sure to check it every night.
    • Information and Contact Information Changes: If your contact information changes (phone, address, etc.), please inform your child’s teacher and provide her with the updated information immediately. Please notify your child’s teacher, the school nurse and Pre-K staff if your child has any food allergies, general allergies, or any medical conditions.

    Additional Information That May Be Helpful:

    • Transportation/Bus Information: 
      • Students living within the VHE zone are eligible for transportation on the school bus.  If you reside within a one-mile walking zone, your child may not be eligible for bus transportation.  Transportation must be provided by the parent/guardian for students attending outside of their school zone.
      • If there is a change in the way that your child will be picked up from school, please notify your child’s teacher and make that change on our PikMyKid App.
      • If your child is riding the school bus, there must be an adult at the bus stop when the student gets on the bus in the morning and off the bus in the afternoon. If it is reported that your student is at the bus stop without an adult, your student’s transportation privileges may be revoked. If an adult is not present in the afternoon, your child will be returned to school for your child’s safety. 
      • Please contact the Atlanta Public Schools Transportation office and your school if you need assistance.
    • Breakfast and Lunch:
      • Breakfast is available each day at school. If you are interested in your child eating breakfast, please arrive before the instructional day begins at 7:45 a.m. Breakfast is served starting at 7:15 a.m. and will close at 8:00 a.m. 
      • Lunch is also available each day. Your child may purchase a lunch or parents may provide a lunch each day.  If you are providing a lunch, please ensure that it is a healthy lunch free from sugary snacks or sodas.  Please refrain from food items that could cause a potential choking hazard for young children.  
      • Students will not be able to warm food in microwave ovens nor store it in refrigerators.   
    • Allergies and Medical Information:
      • Please inform your child's teacher and the school nurse of any known allergies that your child may have, and that a medical form is completed providing any important information needed to ensure that all medical needs are met or expectations in the event of an emergency.

    • Attendance:

      • Your child is expected to be in school for 6.5 hours for 180 school days. The instructional day begins at 7:45 a.m. and ends at 2:45 p.m. (Note that this schedule is new for the 2021-2022 school year.) If you are interested in after-school daycare, you can enroll your child in the on-site Afteschool Care program for a monthly fee. 

      • Regular attendance in the Pre-K program is mandatory. Attendance is closely monitored. If your child is absent or tardy for any reason, please inform your teacher in writing or through phone calls. Excessive tardies or absences may result in termination of the Pre-K program. If your child is out sick for 3 days or more, please provide a written doctor’s note upon his or her return. If your child has a fever of 101 or more, your child MUST stay home for 24 hours to be clear of the illness.

    • Inclement Weather: 
       In the event of inclement weather, please watch your local news or call APS for school closures.
    • School Supplies: Teachers may request donations, but parents are only required to bring a change of clothes, a large towel/blanket, and a bookbag. If you'd like to purchase items, the list below may be a helpful guide:
      • Washable glue (bottle)
      • Washable markers
      • Scissors (blunt, child-size)
      • Construction paper (multi-colored pack)
      • Crayons
      • Pencils (jumbo or regular)
      • Disinfectant wipes
      • Paper towels
      • Plastic sandwich bags (1 gallon, 1 quart)
      • Change of clothes (required in the event of an accident)
      • Small blanket for nap time (will be sent home for cleaning/replacement as needed)
      • Small book bag