HOUSTON — Kindergarten registration and screening for Hardin Houston Local Schools students or the 2021-22 school year will be held April 8-9.

Screening times will be every 30 minutes from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Children who will be five years old on or before Aug. 1 will be eligible for kindergarten.

In order to prepare, the district is asking parents/guardians to schedule a screening appointment for the child as soon as possible from our website at www.hardinhouston.org.

During screening, a kindergarten teacher will assess the child in a socially distanced and sterilized environment. The results will be mailed home to the parent/guardian. While the child is in the screening, the parent/guardian will have the opportunity to register the child and ask questions in a socially distanced and sterilized environment.

Parents/guardians should bring the following with them to screening: birth certificate (certified copy); immunization records with the following vaccinations, 5 DPT, 4 Polio, 2 MMR (measles, rubella, mumps), chickenpox, and a Hepatitis B series (3) or be willing to sign a waiver; copy of legal documents if custody is involved.

Parents should be aware of legislation (ORC 3321.01) which mandates attendance in and successful completion of kindergarten before a child enters first grade. This law underscores the importance of children being ready for kindergarten before they enroll. Research has shown children who turn five during the spring or summer months may be at risk in kindergarten simply because of their age. Hardin-Houston offers an all day, every day Young Fives program that is designed to help children prepare for the rigors of the regular kindergarten classroom. Anyone who has a child who fits this description,the district encourages the parent/guardian to bring him/her to screening.