MISSOULA – Two new early kindergarten classrooms are opening up for this school year.
They are looking for applicants to fill 40 spots that will provide free kindergarten readiness training.
The spots are primarily for 4-year-olds who will be in kindergarten in the 2020 school year.
The free program provides language-rich exercises and other skills training to prepare kids for success throughout their education.
Missoula County Public Schools is seeking students from some specific Missoula neighborhoods near Lowell, Franklin, Hawthorne and Russell elementary schools.
The classes will begin in late September and end in early June and last for the full school day, Monday through Friday.
MCPS is looking to target young students who might not be accessing early childhood opportunities before they are in kindergarten.
“They may make a little bit too much to qualify for Head Start,” said MCPS special education coordinator Virginia Haines. “The cost of private pre-schools might be cost prohibitive. They may be new to the community. They may be homeless. They may be students who are English-language learners.”
— Parents can stop by Jefferson Schools this week to ask questions and get help with applications. These open hours will be held at Jefferson Schools Monday through Friday this week during the day from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. There will also be two evening sessions Wednesday and Thursday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
