Kindergarten Screening Information
(and 1st graders who are new to the system)

Each year, as required by law, the Canton Public Schools conduct a screening of all Kindergarten children before they enter Kindergarten in September, as well as first graders who are new to the system. The screening process takes place in June, prior to your child’s entrance into the Canton Public Schools.

Kindergarten Screening is NOT AN ENTRANCE EXAM. No child fails. If your child is five years of age by September 1st, he/she is eligible to enter Kindergarten, regardless of his/her skill or developmental level. Placement in morning or afternoon sessions as well as placement with individual teachers is not based on this assessment.

It consists of an individual developmental assessment by our school professionals. The screening inventory is designed to measure skills in the areas of fine and gross motor, visual and auditory perception, language development, and such basic concepts as one-to-one correspondence and color identification. The purpose of this assessment is to get a “snapshot” of your child’s abilities and level of development. This inventory is used for curriculum planning purposes only, and is NOT a placement exam. Please do not tell your child he/she is going to be “tested”. It is better to explain that the child will meet and talk with several people, look at pictures, and play some talking games.

The developmental screening, which will last approximately 45 minutes, is done by our Preschool and Kindergarten Educators and Speech Pathologists. All the screening will be done in the gymnasium at the Dean S. Luce Early Childhood Center (corner entrance) located at 45 Independence Street. You will be notified in writing of the results of the screening of your child.

The Kindergarten Health Screening will be conducted in June, prior to your child’s entrance into The Canton Public Schools. The school nurse will review your child’s medical history with you. A copy of your child’s most recent physical examination and immunization records should be provided if you have not done so already at registration. Please be prepared to provide a brief overview of the pregnancy, labor and birth history as well as any childhood illnesses, surgeries, or conditions. Food and medication allergies will be reviewed. If your child takes medication(s) daily, please let the school nurse know. Hearing screenings are done upon school entrance at the beginning of the school year, then annually to detect previously unrecognized condition or pre-clinical illnesses as early as possible to provide early intervention and limit potential disability and negative impact on scholastic performance. Measurements of your child’s height and weight will be done upon entrance to school and then annually to monitor physical development.

We look forward to meeting you and your child.