Kindergarten

Dear Families,

Welcome to Naugatuck Public Schools and to the beginning of your child’s kindergarten journey!  

We are honored that you have chosen Naugatuck Public Schools and entrusted us with this important milestone in your child’s life. Kindergarten is a joyful, foundational year, one filled with curiosity, growth, and discovery, and we are deeply committed to partnering with you to ensure your child feels supported, challenged, and celebrated from their very first day of school.

In kindergarten, our focus extends beyond academics. We nurture the whole child, supporting social, emotional, and academic development while helping students build confidence, independence, and a strong sense of belonging. Children will learn how to ask questions, solve problems, work collaboratively, and take pride in their efforts. Most importantly, they will learn that school is a place where they are valued, cared for, and encouraged to grow.

Across our district, we believe every child should Learn, Thrive, and Belong. Our dedicated educators work intentionally to recognize each child’s strengths, honor their individuality, and create learning environments where curiosity is welcomed and kindness matters.

This webpage is designed to support you as you prepare for kindergarten. You will find important registration information, tips to help your child get ready for school, and helpful resources for the year ahead. We also encourage you to bookmark the school calendar for easy reference.

If you have questions or need assistance at any point, please do not hesitate to reach out. Contact information for each school can be found in the “Stay Connected” section of this page. We are here to partner with you every step of the way.

On behalf of the Naugatuck Board of Education and our entire school community, I wish your family a happy, healthy, and successful kindergarten year.

Warm regards,
Melissa Cooney

Superintendent of Schools
Naugatuck Public School

Kindergarten is a wonderful time for five-year-olds. It is their first formal school experience - a year to wonder and be curious, to meet new friends and try new ideas, to walk to school or ride a bus, to be away from home for a few hours each day.

Kindergarten is often the first time children learn how to participate in group situations, under the watchful eye of the teacher. They practice their communication and persuasion skills. As the year progresses, the teachers introduce lessons concerning reading readiness, language arts, number readiness, social studies, science, art, music, physical education, and health.

Today we try to teach the whole child. We are focused on both academic growth and on the physical, social and emotional well-being of your child. We want our kindergartners to feel comfortable exploring and learning, meeting challenges, and learning to try again.

The following are some of the ways parents/guardians can help children develop a positive feeling and attitude toward school so that they will want to be in that exciting learning environment.

1. Teach children their full names, addresses (including town and state), and telephone numbers. Children should also know their parents/guardians’ names.
2. Teach children basic safety rules. Discuss how important it is to listen to all school personnel: the bus driver, crosswalk guard, teacher and principal.
3. Encourage children to use these words and phrases: please, thank you, excuse me, and I’m sorry.
4. Drive by the school with your child. As opening day nears, walk to the school or to the bus route several times so children will know the route.
5. Make sure children have a good night’s sleep and a nutritious breakfast and lunch. Set times for bed, arising, resting and playing.
6. Begin each school day early enough so that children have ample time to wash, brush their teeth and eat a good meal.
7. Before children leave the house, check to ensure they are wearing clothing that is appropriate for the weather and for school.
8. Provide children with a book bag or backpack for carrying notices and papers home. It is not necessary for parent/guardian to provide crayons, paper, pencils, or other such items.

Parents/Guardians may register their children for the 2026-2027 school year if their fifth birthday occurs on or before September 1, 2026.

Parents who are unsure which school their child should attend should visit the Naugatuck Public Schools Website and search under “Which School Should My Child Attend?” or call the Office of the Superintendent of Schools at (203) 720-5265.

State law requires that all entering students be properly immunized before entrance to school can take place.  At the registration appointment, parents must present the child’s birth certificate along with proof of immunization.  In addition, the State Department of Health recommends that students have a blood lead level and a tuberculin test before entering kindergarten. The completed physical should be on the State of Connecticut Department of Education Health Assessment Record and conducted on or after August 31, 2025. Early Childhood Health Assessment Record (For children ages birth–5) will not be acceptable.

We will need the following records at the time of registration:

1. Birth Certificate
2. Completed physical, including vision and hearing screenings. Please discuss the need for these screenings with your physician at your child’s appointment. Physicals conducted within one year of the start of kindergarten will be acceptable. Physicals must be submitted on the "blue form" called HAR-3 Health Assessment Record. Yellow Pre-K forms are not acceptable. 
3. Record of immunizations:

• DTaP: At least 4 doses; the last dose must be given on or after 4th birthday
• Polio: At least 3 doses; the last dose must be given on or after 4th birthday
• MMR: 2 doses separated by at least 28 days; the 1st dose on or after 1st birthday
• Hep B: 3 doses; the last dose on or after 24 weeks of age
• Varicella: 2 doses separated by at least 3 months; 1st dose on or after 1st birthday, or verification of the disease
• Hib: 1 dose on or after 1st birthday for children less than 5 years old
• Pneumococcal: 1 dose on or after 1st birthday for children less than 5 years old
• Hepatitis A: 2 doses given six calendar months apart; 1st dose on or after 1st birthday

4. For any new student enrolling in a Connecticut school for the first time who is originally from a high risk country or area (nurse will determine this if there is a question), a tuberculosis (TB) test (called PPD) must be done. The results must be certified by the physician before the student is enrolled. If the test is positive for exposure to TB, documentation of a negative chest x-ray must be provided before enrollment. BCG testing is not acceptable for confirmation of TB exposure, so those having BCG test results will still be required to have the TB test and results before enrollment.

Per State of Connecticut requirements, we cannot admit your child to school unless all of the above records have been completed. If you have any questions or concerns, please ask us at the time of registration.

5. The State Department of Public Health also recommends that students have a blood lead level and a tuberculosis test before entering kindergarten.

The First Day of School: The first days of school can be quite an adjustment for children – and parent/guardian. Children may appear tense or anxious and parents/guardians may be a little sad to realize that their children are really growing up. Children may want to cling to a parent/guardian and not leave home. A firm “good bye” at the building entrance may help the child over this hurdle. Kindergarten follows the regular school calendar – the first day of school is a full day.

Student Assessment and Support: We use a variety of assessments throughout the year to monitor each child’s progress. Intervention teams at each school provide support as needed. If you have any questions or concerns, we encourage you to contact your child’s teacher.

Reporting System: Three report cards will be sent to parent/guardian (December, March and June). Two parent/guardian conferences will be held (October and March) and the teacher will review each child’s progress at that time. As part of the total kindergarten experience, time for such conferences has been included in the calendar since we believe very strongly that good communication between the parent/guardian and teacher will ensure every child’s success. Parent/guardian who would like a conference at some other time during the year are encouraged to make an appointment with the teacher.

Special Services: We are fortunate to have an excellent special services staff available to help those children identified as requiring additional assistance.

Attendance: It is very important that children attend school regularly if they are to achieve the maximum benefit from our kindergarten program. Research has shown that students who are chronically absent from school (missing 10%, equivalent to 18 or more days) often struggle academically. Regular attendance is important. Students should stay home from school only when he or she is ill. Chronic attendance issues will be addressed by a support team in each school. We want to work with you to make sure that your child is at school every day.

Absences: If a child is absent or tardy for any reason, you should call the school in the morning immediately to notify us. Additional documentation may be required for school absences. This method ensures that both the school and parents/guardians are aware that the child is absent.

Late Arrivals: Parent/guardian should escort children who are tardy to the main office. Ring the bell located outside of the school building and wait for instructions. Please do not leave children at the front entrance to the school and drive off.

Early Pickup: Parent/guardian should send a signed, dated note explaining the need for early pickup. This can also be done via Parent Square. Children will wait in the main office area and will be dismissed from there. In the event someone other than the parent/guardian is meeting the child, parent/guardian should notify the school in writing identifying the person who will meet the child. This is for the protection of the child.

Bus Riders: Bus transportation is provided for students who live more than one mile from school. Parent/guardian may make other arrangements, but must notify the school in advance via our messaging system, Parent Square.

Cancellation of School: Should school have to be cancelled, released early or delayed, because of inclement weather or an emergency, an announcement will be sent through Parent Square, our messaging system and major television channels. Again, it is important that you keep your contact information up to date so that you receive these important messages.

Communication with the Teacher: We recommend that parent/guardians convey messages in writing, via phone, email or Parent Square. Parents/guardians are encouraged to meet with their child’s teacher – especially if parent/guardian have a question, problem or concern. We ask that parent/guardians call the main office and we will arrange a mutually convenient meeting time so that the normal kindergarten program will not be interrupted.

Money: Money sent to school should be in a sealed envelope and marked with the child’s name and the purpose for which the money is intended. 

Emergency Numbers: We must have the parent/guardian’s current home phone, work number, email and at least two other emergency numbers to contact should your child become ill at school. Friends, neighbors and relatives may be good people to use for emergency numbers. If any of these numbers change during the year, let us know immediately.

Health Services: A school nurse is available to every student in the school during the week. The nurse conducts various health screenings and physicals, and provides students and teachers with general health awareness information.

Medical Emergencies: In the event of a medical emergency, we will contact parent/guardian. If we cannot reach them, we will handle the emergency in a professional manner, but we will keep trying to contact parent/guardians. The health and welfare of the child will be our utmost concern.

Medication: We require that the child’s doctor and parent/guardian complete a medication form available in all schools. The parent/guardian should then deliver the medication to the principal or nurse. The medication should be in the original container from the pharmacist and should be properly labeled. School personnel will administer all medicines. We also treat items such as cough drops or throat lozenges as “medicines”, and require you to bring cough drops to the nurse in the original container. Please note: Children are not allowed to have medicines in their possession at any time.

Food Allergies/Restrictions: Schools limit celebrations that involve food. Foods brought in from home must have a food label on them so the ingredients can be reviewed for potentially hazardous ingredients. You will be notified each year if specific food items will be excluded in your child’s classroom activities based on the individual medical needs of children in that classroom. Children are discouraged from sharing foods with other children during meal and snack times due to concerns about allergies and other restrictions on some children’s diets.

ParentSquare 

Naugatuck uses the ParentSquare app to keep parents informed and facilitate participation at school. It provides a safe way for the school principal, teachers, staff, and parents to: 

• Send and receive school and class information
• Share pictures and files
• See calendar items
• Sign up to volunteer
• and much more . . . all in one centralized place!

Learn more here.

All school, grade level and classroom information will now be sent to your computer or phone via email and/or text or you can download the free App. The Help & Support question mark in the top right corner can help answer most of your questions. So join in!

Social Media

Naugatuck Public Schools is social! Connect with our community and see what's going on across our district on our social media pages:

District Social Accounts

• Facebook Group: Naugatuck Public Schools Community
• Facebook Page: Naugatuck Public Schools
• Instagram: Naugatuck Public Schools

Elementary School Social Accounts

• Facebook Page: Hop Brook Elementary School
• Facebook Group: Hop Brook PSA
• Facebook Page: Maple Hill Elementary School
• Facebook Group: Maple Hill PTO
• Facebook Page: Western Elementary School
• Facebook Group: Western PTO