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I. Admission to Kindergarten:  Age Requirement. The District shall not admit any child into kindergarten unless such child has reached the age of five (5) years or will reach such age on or before July 31 of the current year with the following exceptions:     

A. The Board may admit a child who will reach the age of five (5) between August 1 and October 15 of the current school year if the parent or guardian requests such entrance and provides an affidavit stating that:

1. The child attended kindergarten in another state in the current school year in accordance with the other state’s kindergarten enrollment statutes; or

2. The family anticipates a relocation to another state that would allow admission to kindergarten within the current school year in accordance with the other state’s kindergarten enrollment statutes; or

3. The child has demonstrated through recognized assessment procedures approved by the Board that he or she is capable of carrying the work of kindergarten.

A. Recognized assessment procedures that the District’s Educational Services Division follows include:

I. A parent/guardian wishing to have their child considered for early entrance must be a resident within the District.

II. The parent/guardian must attend a parent meeting about early entrance testing.

III. The assessment date and time will be scheduled at the end of the parent meeting.

IV. The parent/guardian must bring to the testing center, prior to testing:
1. Consent for evaluation,
2. A copy of the child’s birth certificate,
3. Completed Early Entrance Parent Questionnaire, and
4. A fee paid to the District.

V. Early entrance into kindergarten will be based on meeting or exceeding all assessment cutscores.

VI. A report will be provided the parent/guardian and a copy placed in the child’s school record.

VII. If the child will be accepted into kindergarten, the information will be shared with appropriate school personnel.

VIII. If the child meets the criteria for early entrance they must attend full-day.

B. Assessment components include, but are not limited to:

I. A school readiness instrument designed to determine a child’s development in the areas of motor, concepts, and language. If a child has a standard score of 124 (95%ile), then a standardized cognitive measure will be administered.

II. A standardized cognitive measure administered by qualified district personnel. A standard score at or above 130 (98%ile) on the composite score is needed for admittance.

III. A broad scope behavior rating scale completed by parents.

B. The Board may admit a child who will reach age five (5) between August 1 and October 15 of the current school year, who is seeking such admission by transfer from any Nebraska non-public school or from any Nebraska public school district, if the child has demonstrated through recognized assessment procedures approved by the Board that he or she is capable of carrying the work of kindergarten.

1.The recognized assessment procedures approved by the Board are those set forth in the subsection I(A)(3) of this Rule.

2. Attendance in kindergarten in any Nebraska non-public school does not exempt the child from having to demonstrate through assessment procedures approved by the Board that he or she is capable of carrying the work of kindergarten.

3. Attendance in kindergarten in any other Nebraska public school district does not exempt the child from having to demonstrate through recognized assessment procedures approved by the Board that he or she is capable of carrying the work of kindergarten, unless in the District’s sole determination the assessment procedures of the other Nebraska public school district are equivalent to the recognized assessment procedures set forth in the subsection I(A)(3) of this Rule.

II. Proof of Age and Identity, Physical Examination, and Immunization.

A. Upon enrollment of a student in the District, the enrolling school shall:

1. Require compliance with the physical examination and visual evaluation requirements of District Rule 5600.3 (I).

2. Require compliance with the immunization requirements of District Rule 5600.3 (II) and (III).

3. Notify in writing the person enrolling the student that if a birth certificate or other reliable proof was not provided upon enrollment that he or she must provide within thirty (30) days either:

A. A certified copy of the student’s birth certificate; or test Other reliable proof of the student’s identity and age, along with an affidavit explaining the inability to produce a copy of the birth certificate.

B. If a certified copy of a birth certificate cannot be produced, then other reliable proof (in order of preference) of the student’s identity and age must be provided along with an affidavit explaining the inability to produce a copy of the birth certificate:

1. Baptismal certificate;

2. Passport;

3. Immigration certificate; or

4. Bible record.

C. Upon failure of the parent or guardian to comply with the preceding paragraph, written notice shall be given to the parent or guardian that unless he or she complies within ten (10) days the matter shall be referred to the local law enforcement agency for investigation.  If compliance is not obtained in such ten (10) day period, then the matter shall be immediately reported to the local law enforcement agency.  Any affidavit received pursuant to the preceding paragraph that appears inaccurate or suspicious in form or content shall be reported immediately to the local law enforcement agency.

III. Withdrawal (Age 6 and Below)

A. In accordance with the Nebraska Compulsory Education Law, any person with legal or actual charge or control of a child who will reach six (6) years of age prior to January 1 of the then-current school year, may discontinue the enrollment of such child by meeting with the principal and providing the following documentation:

1. A signed affidavit stating that the person intends for the child to participate in a non-accredited or non-approved school and the person intends to provide the Commissioner of Education with a statement pursuant to Nebraska Revised Statute §79-1601(3) on or before the child's seventh birthday; or

2. A signed affidavit stating that the child is participating in an education program that the person believes will prepare the child to enter grade one (1) for the following year.

3. The principal shall notify the Director of Student Services of the withdrawal.

B. In accordance with the Nebraska Compulsory Education Law, any person with legal or actual charge or control of a child who will not reach six (6) years of age prior to January 1 of the then-current school year, may discontinue the enrollment of such child by meeting with the principal and completing the building withdrawal procedures. The principal shall notify the Director of Student Services of the withdrawal.