Begindergarten (BK) - FAQ’s
Who should go to BK? - There are many factors to consider when deciding when and where to send your child to school. Generally speaking, students who are age eligible to attend Kindergarten at Sturgis Public Schools, but who are not mature socially and emotionally for the stressors of a larger class and academic pressures are good candidates for BK.
How do I know if my child should go to BK or Kindergarten? - If you are unsure about what program best meets your child’s needs, one of our staff members will be happy to sit down with you and discuss your questions/concerns, as well as spend some time with your child and make a recommendation. As the parent, you know your child best and you get to decide, but we can provide more information to help you make your decision.
What will my child learn in BK? - In BK, we have standards and expectations based upon our district’s Kindergarten expectations. BK staff worked with K teachers to develop a curriculum that builds readiness skills that are considered essential. Those skills include academic, social, and emotional content.
How is BK different from K? - BK has smaller class sizes and lower student/teacher ratios than K. We work on letters, sounds, numbers, counting, and many of the same skills that are a focus in K, but we do it in a way that is play based and we do not use standardized assessment to evaluate your child. Your child won’t be “behind” in BK if he/she is just beginning to learn “school skills”. He/She will have the opportunity to grow and learn at his/her own pace academically, socially, and emotionally.
Where does my child go after BK? - Your child will go to K at the end of his/her BK year.
How do I get my child in BK? - In April, our district holds Kindergarten registration. At that time, you can come to registration and request a BK placement. When you make that request a staff member will conduct the interview process mentioned above and together a decision will be made.
Why do I have to go through a process to have my child in BK? -Unfortunately the number of spots available for BK students is limited. We go through the process so that we make sure that each child is given the opportunity to be placed in the best program for him/her.
What do I do if I have more questions? - If you have questions, please feel free to contact the office at (269) 659-1570.