Petaluma pressing on with transitional kindergarten

<p>Registration for Petaluma City Schools' kindergarten and new Kinder-Prep program is under way.</p><p>Like Santa Rosa City Schools, Petaluma is pressing forward with the transitional kindergarten program that was signed into law in 2010 despite uncertainty over state financial support of the new program.</p><p>So-called young fives who enroll in the Kinder-Prep program will spend one year in that class before moving on to a full year of traditional kindergarten the following year.</p><p>The district will offer two Kinder-Prep classes at McKinley School – a morning class from 8:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and an afternoon class from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. On Wednesday, both classes will run from 8:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Child care services are available.</p><p>Kindergarten enrollment is open to kids who will turn five by Nov. 1, 2012. The Kinder-Prep program is open to children who turn five by Dec. 31 2012 but priority will be given to those whose fifth birthday falls between Sept. 2 and Nov. 1.</p><p>For more information, click <a href="http://bit.ly/zNLBZc">HERE</a>. </p><p>-- Kerry Benefield, The Press Democrat</p>