Apply now to get into Marion County's 2012-13 Pre-K/VPK program

Marion County Schools has announced that they are now accepting applications for the Pre-K/VPK program offered through the Title One Office. This is a full day program that occurs during the normal 2012-13 school year. While Childhood Development Services (CDS) offers a summer VPK program in daycares and schools throughout the county, this program is not related.

If you can get your child in, this program could be very beneficial for your special needs child.

One of the things that can happen is that issues that might affect learning can be caught during this program and they can start working on them. For example, they might determine that your child has a speech impediment, perhaps a very minor one, but one that could affect reading or a future teacher fully understanding him. They can identify it in Pre-K and have him start speech therapy. Speech therapy and other services provided through the school are free of charge and are in addition to any outside services you may get for your child.

It can also give your child a head start on some basic learning. In Pre-K they will work on things like writing their name, very basic spelling and number work, and reading. If you suspect your child has a learning disability, this head start might be quite helpful to them.

Pre-K can also help you determine if school is the right environment for your child. Some disabilities don't go well with the structure of the classroom (for example, ADHD). If you've been wondering how your child would do in school, or debating the merits of public school versus homeschool or a specialized private school for your child, this could be a good way to see how he adjusts and determine whether or not it's the right place for him before he's in Kindergarten (or a higher grade) and you determine that, based on poor grades or behavior issues, that it's not working.

So, what do you need to do? Here's the rundown.

Eligibility

Your child is eligible to participate in the Pre-K/VPK program if he/she:

• is four years old on or before September 1, 2012

• lives in the attendance zone of one of the participating schools

Participating Schools

There are 15 schools that will be providing 18 classes. The elementary schools that are anticipated to participate are:

• Anthony

• Belleview

• College Park

• East Marion

• Emerald Shores

• Evergreen

• Fessendon

• Ft. McCoy

• Oakcrest

• Reddick-Collier

• South Ocala

• Sparr

• Sunrise

• Stanton Weirsdale

• Wyomina Park

You will want to keep in mind that if a school doesn't have enough interested kids, their class may be

canceled. This doesn't usually happen, as there is often heavy competition for these slots.

How to get an application

You can get the application in one of three ways:

1. Online. You can go here to get an application.

2. Title One Office. You can stop in at the Title One Office in Ocala to pick up an application. The Title One Office is located at 306 NW 7th Ave.

3. Schools. The office at any of the 15 participating schools can provide you with an application.

Returning the application

There are four ways to return your application, once it's completed:

1. Drop off. You can drop it off in person at the Title One Office, 306 NW 7th Ave. in Ocala.

2. Mail. You can mail it to the Title One Office. The full mailing address is 306 NW 7th Ave, Ocala, FL 34475.

3. Fax. You can fax the application to 352-620-7604.

4. Electronically. If you fill out the online application here, you can submit your application immediately.

The application must be submitted (or postmarked, if mailed) by 5pm on March 6, 2012. Admission will be determined by random selection of the submitted applications, and parents whose children were accepted will receive a phone call between March 13th and 16th. If your child is not accepted, they will be placed in random order on a waiting list, and you will receive a letter. If your application is submitted after the deadline, your child will be placed at the bottom of the waiting list.

More information

If your child is accepted, you will need to go to the school and register him. To register, you need proof of age, up to date immunization records, proof of recent physical exam, and proof of residence. You can look at this checklist to determine which documents can be used for registration.

Free transportation will be provided for children who are accepted and meet eligibility requirements. The Pre-K/VPK program itself is free, however if your child will need before or after school care, you will need to pay for that service.

Don't wait to submit your application. Do it today!