JCS offers Early Childhood & PreK Round Up June 20 and July 26

Laura Young
ECB Publishing, Inc.

Jefferson County Schools (JCS) is holding an Early Childhood & PreK Round Up on Tuesday, June 20, from 12 to 5 p.m. at the former Jefferson High School Auditorium, located at 580 S. Water St. JCS is partnering for the event with the Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend and with FDLRS (Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resources System) to provide screenings, VPK registration and Jefferson prekindergarten registration for children residing in Jefferson County.
The free screenings include developmental screenings as well as vision and hearing screenings for prekindergarten children ages six months through five years old. Screenings make it possible for young children and their families to access a wide variety of services and early childhood programs. They also promote and support parents' understanding of their child's health, development and learning needs.
The Round Up event is also an opportunity for families to complete registration for VPK (Voluntary Prekindergarten). Those interested should visit elcbigbend.org/ parents/vpk to learn about the documents required for registration. Florida was one of the first states in the country to offer free prekindergarten to all 4-year-olds. Children must live in Florida and be four years old on or before Sept. 1 of the current school year to be eligible. VPK prepares early learners for success in kindergarten and beyond. Children build a strong foundation for school using developmentally appropriate educational materials. Once registered, parents can choose from different educational settings and various program options, including private child care centers, public schools and specialized instructional services providers.
JCS is ready to register students for its prekindergarten program! Staff will be on hand at the Round Up event to assist with registration. Families can also access the registration form at https://bit.ly/JeffPKRU or by scanning the QR code above. For more information, contact Janie Register at (850) 561-6545 or registerj@ leonschools.net.
Those who are not able to attend the Round Up on June 20 will have another opportunity later in the summer, on July 26.