"It's not too late for parents to enroll their 4 and 5-year-olds in the summer voluntary pre-kindergarten (VPK) program," says Hillsborough County Schools' superintendent MaryEllen Elia.
The 300-hour instructional program, taught by certified teachers, will run June 11-July 23 (excluding July 4) and is designed to ensure that all children are intellectually, emotionally, physically and socially ready to enter school and ready to learn.
Children who are Florida residents, turning 5 years old by September 1 and who have never participated in voluntary pre-k or kindergarten, are eligible.
The program is free and will be offered at 17 elementary school sites from 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Children will be fed free breakfast, lunch and a snack. Parents are required to provide their own transportation to school.
Elementary school sites providing the summer VPK program in Hillsborough County include Buckhorn, Bryan, Clair Mel, Clark, Egypt Lake, Essrig, Gibsonton, Gorrie, Potter, McDonald, Seffner, Sessums, Shaw, Sheehy, Symmes, Town and Country and Wimauma.
According to Kindergarten supervisor Lisa Bellock, the program is extremely flexible.
"For parents that work it's a wonderful opportunity, but parents aren't required to keep their child at school the entire day," she says.
Bellock adds that the program in the elementary schools is not based on availability.
"Every school district is required by law to deliver the summer VPK program for every eligible child wanting to participate," she says. "We'll add teachers if we have to because we want to accommodate every child."
At registration, parents must provide proof of residency, proof of age, shot record and completed registration form, which can be downloaded from the School District's Website.
For more information, visit www.sdhc.k12.fl.us or call the Hillsborough County Public Schools' VPK hotline at 272-4840. Contact the specific school directly to schedule a time to register for the program.
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