Transitional Kindergarten

and Kindergarten

Information Nights - January 2026

Agenda

• Welcome and Introductions
• TK / K Information
• Preparing for TK / K
• Information about our Elementary Schools
• Dual Language Immersion & Bilingual Programs
• Enrollment Information

Acknowledgements

Land Acknowledgement

We are located on the ethnohistoric territory of the ancestral and traditional land of the Jalquin (hal-keen) / Yrgin (eer-gen) Chochenyo-Ohlone-speaking People. This land was and continues to be of great importance to the Ohlone.

We have benefited from the use and occupation of this land since the San Lorenzo School District’s establishment in 1859.

Consistent with our values, we have a responsibility to acknowledge and make known through various enterprises the San Lorenzo Unified School District Board of Education’s relationship to Native peoples. It is important that we not only recognize the history of the land on which we live, work, and learn, but also, we recognize that the Muwekma Ohlone People are alive and flourishing members of the San Lorenzo and broader Bay Area communities today.

African Ancestry & Labor Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that African explorers and settlers arrived in the Americas long before the development of the American chattel system. The Black experience predates both the Middle Passage and American slavery.

We acknowledge and remember those who did not survive the Middle Passage, those who were beaten and lynched at the hands of White Americans, and those who are still suffering while fighting for their freedom.

We acknowledge all immigrant labor, including voluntary, involuntary, trafficked, forced, and undocumented peoples who contributed to the building of the country and continue to serve within our labor force. We acknowledge all unpaid caregiving labor.

Welcome & Introductions

Elementary Schools Represented Tonight

Corvallis Elementary School

Dayton Elementary School

Melynda Piezas, Principal

Pete Gidlund, Principal

Elementary Schools Represented Tonight

Corvallis Elementary School

Dayton Elementary School

Melynda Piezas, Principal

Pete Gidlund, Principal

Elementary Schools Represented Tonight

Bay Elementary School

Del Rey Elementary School

Grant Elementary School

Maalik Malik, Principal

Maria Avila, Principal

Tatiana Peugnet, Principal

Elementary Schools Represented Tonight

Bay Elementary

Maalik Malik, Principal

Del Rey Elementary

Maria Avila, Principal

Grant Elementary

Tatiana Peugnet,

Principal

Elementary Schools Represented Tonight

Colonial Acres Elementary School

Hesperian Elementary School

Hillside Elementary School

Kathy LaCome, Principal

Ruby Camarena, Principal

Moraima Machado, Principal

Lorenzo Manor Elementary School

Allen Riedel, Principal

Elementary Schools Represented Tonight

Colonial Acres Elementary

Kathy LaCome, Principal

Lorenzo Manor Elementary

Allen Riedel, Principal

Hesperian Elementary

Ruby Camarena, Principal

Hillside Elementary

Moraima Machado, Principal

Transitional Kindergarten

Information

What is Transitional Kindergarten?

• Transitional Kindergarten (TK) bridges the path between Preschool and Kindergarten and gives students the gift of time that will help them build a strong foundation for future school success.
• Research shows that children who attend kindergarten readiness programs like transitional kindergarten are more likely to do well in school and attend college!
• Families have a public school option to ensure their children enter Kindergarten with the confidence and skills they need to excel.

It’s a bonus year of school!

Transitional Kindergarten

Who can attend?

Children turning 4 by September 1, 2026

(born between September 2, 2021 and September 1, 2022)

Where do students attend TK?

TK is available at all elementary schools in San Lorenzo Unified School District

Note: TK classes do fill up at some schools. Students may be offered a spot at a school other than their school of residence.

Kindergarten Information

Kindergarten

Who can attend?

Children turning 5 by September 1, 2026

(born between September 2, 2020 and September 1, 2021)

Where do students attend Kindegarten?

Kindergarten is available at all elementary schools in San Lorenzo Unified School District

Note: Kindergarten classes do fill up at some schools. Students may be offered a spot at a school other than their school of residence.

Preparing for TK/K

How to prepare your child for TK/Kindergarten:

Help your child develop independence at home by practicing the following:

• Zipping jackets & buttoning pants
• Opening lunch boxes & contents inside
• Putting on shoes
• Using the bathroom alone
• Develop & follow routines.
• Teach responsibility & social skills.

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READ! READ! READ!

Potty training is KEY!

By TK/Kindergarten, children should be able to:

• Enter & close door
• Pull down bottoms independently
• Use toilet correctly, be able to wipe themselves
• Be comfortable with loud noises (ie: fan & toilet flush)
• Wash & dry hands
• Be prepared for accidents
• Send students with a change of clothes in their backpacks (shirt, pants, underwear & socks)

Home-School Involvement:

• Signing up to volunteer
• Reading with your child
• TK/K Meet & Greet
• Back to School Night & Open House
• Family Education Nights
• PTA
• Movie Nights / Bingo Night / Dances
• Spirit Days
• Parent/Teacher Conferences

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Attendance is Important!!

• Attendance is important, especially during the first 2-3 years of school.
• Students with poor attendance in Kindergarten and 1st grade are much less likely to read proficiently in the 3rd grade.
• Many students struggle with separating from family in the beginning, but we are here to help!

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Student Supports

• School Counselor
• School Community Liaison
• Wellness Center (run by counselor/social worker - days open vary per site)
• 4 stations available: Cool Down Corner (sensory tools); Book Shelf; Carpet Corner (with bean bags to rest); Mindfulness Corner (to do stretches/yoga poses)
• 10 minute cooldown, feelings check-in chart
• Restorative problem solving (for example: if two students had an issue at recess/lunch they can come here to talk it out)
• OPEN FOR ALL STUDENTS! ☀️

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Boys & Girls Club

After School Program at the School Sites

Create an account now!

https://bgcsanleandro.my.site.com/account/login

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Sign up for annual newsletters to get information and to be alerted when the application opens!

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Applications for 2026-2027 will open around July-August.

https://bgcsl.org/

2026-2027 District Calendar

First day of school:

Thursday, August 13th 2026

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Last day of school:

Thursday, June 3rd 2027

Find the calendar online here.

Dual Language Immersion & Bilingual Programs

Dual Language Immersion Program

Hesperian Elementary School Programa de doble inmersión

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Hesperian Elementary School

Accepting Applications for English and Spanish speaking Kindergarten students.

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More information

Call (510) 317-5211

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Bilingual, Bicultural, Biliterate

What is Dual Language Immersion (DLI)?

¿Qué es la inmersión en dos idiomas (DLI)?

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Students are taught academic content in English AND Spanish

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Se enseña a los estudiantes contenido académico en inglés y español.

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Development of positive linguistic and cultural diversity

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El desarrollo de una diversidad lingüística y cultural positiva

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Bilingualism and Biliteracy

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Bilingüismo y la alfabetización

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Visit the Hesperian Elementary website for more information and to apply:

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Spanish

Bilingual Program

Colonial Acres Elementary School

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Colonial Acres Elementary School

Accepting new Spanish Speaking Kindergarten students.

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Please call 510-317-4524 for more information

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Bilingual, Bicultural, Biliterate

What is the Spanish Bilingual Program?

¿Qué es el programa bilingüe español?

Students are taught academic content in Spanish

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Se enseña a los estudiantes contenido académico en español.

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Development of positive linguistic and cultural diversity

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El desarrollo de una diversidad lingüística y cultural positiva

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Bilingualism and Biliteracy

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Bilingüismo y la alfabetización

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Visit the Colonial Acres website for more information:

District Enrollment Process

Enrollment Process

Enrollment for students new to the district will begin on January 1st, 2026.

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How to Enroll

1. Check that you are within district boundaries using the “My School Location” tool on our website, or by contacting the Enrollment Office.
2. Gather required documents.
3. Complete the Aeries Online Enrollment application*
1. You can submit your documents on the application, via email, or in person at the Enrollment Office.

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*We do not have paper applications for enrollment. If you need assistance with a computer, please come by the Enrollment Office and we’ll be happy to help!

Required Documents

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2 Proofs of Residency

• These documents should be in the parent/guardian’s name and postmarked within the last 30 days.

Types of Acceptable Proofs:

• Section A: Current utility bill (PG&E, EBMUD, Waste Management, etc.), cable/telephone bill, internet bill, medical/government or bank statement, etc.
• Section B: Rental/lease agreement, mortgage verification, property tax, deed of trust, close of escrow, etc.

If you have any questions about proof of residency, please contact the Enrollment Office.

• Parent/Guardian Photo ID
• Student Birth Certificate/Passport
• Up-to-date Immunization Records
• TK/K Information Sheet
• Report Card/Progress Report (if applicable)
• Enrollment Packet/District Registration Forms
• These are available as PDFs on the enrollment application, however you must manually save the PDF and upload it to the “Document Uploads” section.
• We have physical packets available at the Enrollment Office!
• Additional Documents as needed
• IEP or 504 Plan (if applicable)
• Legal/Court Documentation (if applicable)

Immunization Requirements

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All school-age children’s health records MUST be up-to-date and comply with State and Federal laws prior to starting school.

When enrolling, please provide the most up-to-date immunization/vaccine records for your child. If you have any questions please contact the Enrollment Office.

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Aeries Online Application Tips

Be sure you choose the correct school year when starting your child’s enrollment application.

Next, create a new account*. If you have other children you previously enrolled at SLzUSD, you can log in and use the same account.

*After you create your new account, you will receive a confirmation email. You must click the confirmation link before continuing!

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Aeries Online Application Tips

When you get to this section of the application, you can either print the documents to submit or request a physical copy from the Enrollment Office. These documents are included in the Enrollment Packet we are handing out tonight.

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*PLEASE NOTE THE PDFs WILL NOT SAVE TO THE APPLICATION AUTOMATICALLY!

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Aeries Online Application Tips

You can upload the required documents directly to the application* OR you can bring them to the Enrollment Office for our team to make copies.

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*Scanned documents or pictures OK, please be sure they are legible.

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Aeries Online Application Tips

When you reach the end of the application, make sure you scroll all the way to the bottom and click “Finish and Submit”!

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Hours & Contact Info

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Drop in Hours for 2026-27 Enrollment

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January 26 through March 16:

Tuesdays & Thursdays 2:30pm-6:30pm

Wednesdays & Fridays 8:30am-11:30am

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Saturday Fairs - January 31 and March 7:

10am - 2pm

Note:

If you come outside of drop-in hours, we will schedule a return appointment for a later time.

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Contact Information

15510 Usher Street, San Lorenzo, CA 94580

Phone: (510) 317-4630

Email: enroll@slzusd.org

Questions?

Visit the website: https://bit.ly/slzusdenrollment

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Contact the Enrollment Office: (510) 317-4630 or enroll@slzusd.org

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