To be Kindergarten Ready, there are a number of things you can help your student do. The Nebraska Department of Education has a number of resources and tips.

The most important recommendations are:

• Be enthusiastic about school. Focus on the positives. When you show that school is important to you, your child will learn that, too.
• Help your child be at school on time, every day. Whenever possible, make your child’s appointments for after school or toward the end of the school day.
• Keep reading to and with your child daily. This can be a special time in your bedtime routine to see how much your child is learning.
• Ask about your child’s day and about the work they bring home, too.
• Talk to your child’s teacher early and often, especially if you have concerns. The relationships and communication between the teacher and your family are key to ensuring your child’s success.

THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR

Kindergarten students have elementary school to themselves on the first day of school. This allows students the time it takes to tour the school without the bigger kids, go through the lunch line for the first time and feel more welcomed into the school by the entire elementary staff.

During the first two days, all children will participate in many activities to meet friends and get to know school. Children will spend some time with each Kindergarten teacher. Teachers will give informal assessments (colors, shapes, letters) and observe children during the first two days. 

WHAT DO YOU NEED FOR SCHOOL?

Kindergarten requires only a few supplies

Supply lists for all grades can be found here.

The Grand Island Public Schools Nutrition Services offers a complete and nutritious breakfast and lunch at all schools. Our meals meet strict guidelines set by the US Department of Education.

Please visit the GIPS Nutrition Services website for more information on meal prices, links to menus, Free and Reduced Meal application, meal nutrition information, District Wellness Policy and more.

We look forward to serving your student!

Some of our schools offer a free breakfast to all students and some of our elementary schools offer both breakfast and lunch at no cost to students, due to the designation of a Community Eligibility Provision.

If your child(ren) does not attend a school that offers meals at no cost, you may fill out a Free and Reduced Meal Application to apply for free or reduced meals. If you do not qualify for free and reduced meals, you can pay for meals at https://family.titank12.com which can also be found through the Nutrition Services website. You can also send funds to school with your child. Please label the payment with your child’s name and teacher.

Each GIPS elementary has a school nurse on hand to help families and support students. When signing up for kindergarten and getting ready for the first day, there are a lot of important steps to take, including ensuring the student has all the necessary vaccinations and the required physical form filled out and turned in by your family doctor.

The following information may be helpful as we work together to keep your child in school as much as possible. We recognize unique situations may develop. If you are unsure regarding your situation, please feel free to call the school and speak with the nurse.

Click here for Nurse Health Forms & Information

In accordance with Nebraska State law, GIPS requires immunizations and a medical examination for any student beginning in the district. 

All students need to have these five vaccines before starting kindergarten: 

• DtaP - Diptheria, Tetanus & Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
• Hepatitis B
• Polio
• MMR - Measles, Mumps & Rubella
• Varicella - Chicken Pox

The required immunizations may be obtained from your family physician, or from the Central District Health Department located at 1137 South Locust Street (308-385-5175). Please call ahead for an appointment. (The Health Department does not perform the Kindergarten physical examination, they only offer the immunizations.)