KB APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE

The Kinder BRIDGE Program will begin Fall 2024 and will follow the district school calendar ending on the last day of school June 2025

Applications are available to download. Paper copies will be available at all elementary schools starting March 25th 2024. Entry to program is based on the application process and have been deemed by the district through the screening process in need of additional preparation to be successful in Kindergarten the next year. You will be notified by May 24th 2024 regarding a screening date and time. Parents will be notified by June 10th if their child qualifies for entry into the Kinder Bridge program.

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East Valley School District Kinder BRIDGE: 

 A Transitional Kindergarten Program 

Fall 2024

The East Valley School District’s early learning goal for our incoming kindergarten students is to be ready for the rigorous academic standards and social skills necessary for success in our PreK-12 schools. 

What is Kinder BRIDGE? 

Kinder BRIDGE program is a free, full day transitional kindergarten opportunity for children not yet five or turning five on or after 9/1, who do not have access to high-quality early learning experiences prior to Kindergarten and have been deemed by the district through a screening process in need of additional preparation to be successful in Kindergarten the next year. An EV Kinder Bridge class of 20ea. is available at each elementary school. We try our best to keep students in their home school but unfortunately, there is no guarantee for placement in a specific classroom. District transportation will be provided to the program. The class will focus on basic kindergarten readiness standards and social skills to be “kindergarten ready” with priority for placement into Kinder Bridge being based on the student’s qualifying needs per the application and assessment process.

Who is eligible for Kinder BRIDGE screening?

The Kinder BRIDGE program is available through the application process for qualifying children who are scheduled to enter kindergarten in the fall of 2025. 

Applicants must:

* Be turning 5 yrs. old on or after September 1, 2024

* Be planning to enter kindergarten August 2025

* Not currently enrolled in an early learning program

* Student must be fully toilet trained

OSPI guidelines: Transitional Kindergarten programs work in collaboration with and do not adversely impact enrollment in community-based preschool programs, including Head Start, ECEAP (the Early Childhood Education Assistance Program), tribally-led early learning programs and those operating in licensed child care centers and licensed family homes.

* Live within the boundaries of the East Valley School District #90

* Demonstrate an academic and/or social emotional need

After completing the 3 page application, eligible students will be scheduled to participate in a screener where we will get to know your child’s developmental strengths and needs through drawing, counting, reading, recognizing numbers, letters, colors, playing and conversation. Entry into program is not guaranteed, applicants will be rank ordered for priority placement in the Kinder Bridge program per the screening process indicating the need for intervention services to be kinder ready for Fall 2025. Students must be fully toilet trained.

You will be notified after all information is gathered if your child has been identified for entry to the Kinder BRIDGE program.

How do I apply for the Kinder BRIDGE program? 

The 3 page application is available to download on the right side of this page or at your local elementary on March 25, 2024

Please return the application to:

EVSD Admin Office, home school office, or email to [email protected]

If you are interested in applying for the EV Kinder BRIDGE Program, the application is available on March 25, 2024 to download or paper applications will be available at our district office or your local elementary school office.

Thank you for your support in considering this early learning opportunity for your child

If you have further questions, please contact:

Jeri Young

Director of Special Programs

408 E. Seattle Ave

Moxee, WA

509-573-7332

y[email protected]

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction -Olympia, Wa.

Pillars of Transitional Kindergarten

Transitional Kindergarten is a kindergarten program for children not yet age five who do not have access to high-quality early learning experiences prior to kindergarten and have been deemed by a school district, through a screening process and/or other instrument(s), to be in need of additional preparation to be successful in kindergarten the following year.

The following “pillars” describe required elements of Transitional Kindergarten.

Pillar I: Transitional Kindergarten programs meet the requirements of full-day
kindergarten established in RCW 28A.150.315, including administration of the WaKIDS whole-child assessment, within the first ten weeks.

Pillar II: Classrooms are staffed by certificated teachers and paraeducators who provide a curriculum that offers a rich, varied set of experiences in learning environments that are developmentally appropriate and address the whole child. It is recommended that teachers have Early Childhood and/or Early Childhood Special Education Endorsements.

Pillar III: Transitional Kindergarten programs are inclusive, socioeconomically diverse and responsive to the needs of children who qualify for participation.

Pillar IV: Programs must be fully integrated into school buildings, with access to transportation, specialists, recess, lunch in the school cafeteria and all aspects of the school day available to regular kindergarten students. Attention much be given to the developmental capabilities and needs specific to young children in these settings.

Pillar V: Transitional Kindergarten programs work in collaboration with and do not adversely impact enrollment in community-based preschool programs, including Head Start, ECEAP (the Early Childhood Education Assistance Program), tribally-led early learning programs and those operating in licensed child care centers and licensed family homes. Districts participate in coordinated outreach, referral and placement to assure best fit and appropriateness of services based on each child and family’s need.