FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What public school will my child attend?

The Hawaii Department of Education provides a webpage with a map-by military installation.

http://doe.k12.hi.us/military/index.htm

2. When does the school year start in Hawaii?

All schools on a year-round, modified calendar and begin on or around July 27^th. You can visit the 2006-2007 Calendar at http://doe.k12.hi.us/calendars0607/index.htm

3. What are vaccination and physical requirements?

This info is available at The Hawaii Department of Health: http://www.vaxtoschool.com

Tips: a Tuberculosis test is required prior to starting school. Any existing test results cannot exceed one year. Also, the TB results MUST INCLUDE a millimeter reading. This is not done in all states, so if you have it done prior to arrival, make sure the results include a millimeter reading of the mark that is left (e.g. 0 mm)

A completed physical examination is required for each student, within one year prior to the start of school. This form should verify all immunizations as well. If you cannot get an appointment prior to the first day of school, an upcoming appointment will be accepted.

4. What special education programs are available?

Since each student's needs are individual, it's best that you research this based on your child's needs. First, try :

http://doe.k12.hi.us/specialeducation

Or, contact the Student Support Services Branch at the Dept of Education, 808-733-4400.

5. What Gifted and Talented Programs are available?

The Dept of Ed website for G&T is: http://www.k12.hi.us/%7Egtstate/Index.htm. The Dept of Ed point of contact is the Instructional Services Branch; Health, Social Science and Student Programs Section, at 808-733-9131, ext 315.

Each school has a unique program, so you can find school-specific information by contacting the school's principal.

6. What is the cut-off date for a child to enter kindergarten?

Students born before August 1^st of a school year will enter kindergarten. Those born between August 2^nd and December 31^st will enter junior-kindergarten. Both of these programs are optional, but families are encouraged to enroll their children in them. Junior-kindergarten is designed to help the late-born students catch up to their older peers by assigning them to smaller classrooms with a smaller student to teacher ratio. Junior-kindergarten and kindergarten all feed into the same first grade classrooms the following school year.