Frequently Asked Questions
PRE-K PROGRAMS
TRADITIONAL PRE-K
Who is eligible to enroll in this program?
Any child who lives in Hingham and will be four years old by August 31, 2023 is eligible to enroll.
Will my child be prepared for kindergarten after this program?
Yes! This program will follow state-approved frameworks for early childhood education.
Who will be teaching my child?
There will be two lead teachers for this classroom. All KIA teachers have a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and are certified through EEC (Early Education and Care).
What other support will be available to my child?
If necessary, children in the KIA Pre-K programs will have access to the School nurse for medical needs. Special education support will not be provided through this program, but will instead be provided through the integrated Pre-K program.
When does registration open for the 2023-2024 school year?
Registration for our Pre-Kindergarten, Spanish Immersion Pre-Kindergarten Pilot Program and the KIA Pre-K Extended Day Program will begin on January 23, 2023.
What is the tuition for the 2023-2024 KIA School Year?
What if HPS has a delayed opening?
If HPS have a delayed opening our Traditional Pre-K will also have a delayed opening. For example, if HPS have a 2-hour delay, our Traditional Pre-K will open at 10:30am. See the HPS School Closure/Delay Procedures here.
What time does Traditional Pre-K close on Early Release Days?
On early release days, Traditional Pre-K will close at 11:30am.
SPANISH IMMERSION PRE-K
Who is eligible to enroll in this program?
Any child who lives in Hingham and will be four years old by August 31, 2023 is eligible to enroll.
Does my child need to speak Spanish to enroll in this program?
No! This program is meant to develop Spanish language skills in students of all language backgrounds.
Will my child be prepared for kindergarten after this program?
Yes! This program will follow state-approved frameworks for early childhood education. Some research on immersion programs indicates that students may experience a temporary lag in the development of some literacy skills, but that the lag disappears quickly and students eventually exceed their peers in both languages. For more detailed research, please see our Spanish Immersion Pre-K Page.
Who will be teaching my child?
There will be two lead teachers for this classroom. These teachers will have the same Early Education licensing as teachers in the existing Kids in Action preschool program. All KIA teachers have a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and are certified through EEC (Early Education and Care).
What other support will be available to my child?
If necessary, children in the Spanish immersion program will have access to the Foster School nurse for medical needs. Special education support will not be provided through this program, but will instead be provided through the integrated Pre-K program at East School.
Do I need to know Spanish to have my child in the program?
No knowledge of Spanish is required to enroll your child. Information for parents will be shared in English, and your child’s teachers will provide guidance regarding how to best support your child.
What will happen to my child’s skills in English, in particular the ability to read English?
Research on immersion programs shows that students eventually develop higher proficiency in both English and Spanish as a result of immersion programming. While some students do show a slight lag in the development of specific language skills (e.g. spelling and punctuation), this lag disappears quickly. The research indicates no long-lasting negative effects to this type of program.
What amount of time will my child be learning in Spanish?
The program will be 80% in Spanish and 20% in English. The 20% in English will be focused on the development of literacy skills.
Will the program extend beyond Pre-K?
We will gauge community interest in the program and consider extending the program beyond kindergarten.
What time does Spanish Immersion Pre-K close on Early Release Days?
On early release days, Spanish Immersion Pre-K will close at 11:30am.
What if HPS has a delayed opening?
If HPS have a delayed opening the Spanish Immersion Pre-K will also have a delayed opening. For example, if HPS have a 2-hour delay, Spanish Immersion Pre-K will open at 10:30am. See the HPS School Closure/Delay Procedures here.
What is the tuition for the 2023-2024 KIA School Year?
Do I have to pay the $25 Registration Fee & the $150 Deposit for each child?
Yes, a $25 Registration Fee and $150 Deposit is due PER CHILD each year.
PRE-K EXTENDED DAY
Who is eligible to enroll in this program?
Any child who is enrolled in the Kids in Action Traditional Pre-K at East School or the Kids in Action Spanish Immersion Pilot Pre-K Program at Foster School.
Where will the KIA Extended Day Pre-K take place?
The Extended Day Pre-K will be offered in two locations, East School and Foster School. If your child is enrolled in our Traditional Pre-K, they will stay at East School for Extended Day. If your child attends our Spanish Immersion Pilot Pre-K, they will attend the Extended day at Foster.
Will the Pre-K extended day program at Foster be Spanish Immersion also?
No. This program will not be an extension of our Spanish Immersion program.
Who will be teaching my child?
These teachers will have the same Early Education licensing as teachers in the existing Kids in Action preschool program. All KIA teachers have a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and are certified through EEC (Early Education and Care).
What happens when the school has an early release day?
On early release days Traditional & Spanish Immersion Pre-K will close at 11:30am. The Pre-K Extended Day Program will run from 11:30-6:00pm at their respective sites (East & Foster). Only children enrolled in Extended day on that day of the week may attend. You will need to send your child with a peanut/tree nut free lunch.
What if there is an unexpected early school closure due to weather or another event?
In the event that HPS releases students early due to inclement weather the Kids in Action After
School Program will close at 3pm. Only children enrolled in the After School Program on that day will be transported from their home school to KIA. See the HPS School Closure/Delay Procedures here.
What is the tuition for the 2023-2024 KIA School Year?
Do I have to pay the $25 Registration Fee & the $150 Deposit for each child?
Yes, a $25 Registration Fee and $150 Deposit is due PER CHILD each year.
K-5 AFTER SCHOOL
Who is eligible to enroll in this program?
Any child who lives in Hingham in grades K-5.
Who will be teaching my child?
All KIA teachers have a Bachelor’s Degree and are certified through EEC (Early Education and Care).
What other support will be available to my child?
Special education support will not be provided through this program.
When does registration open for the 2023-2024 school year?
- Existing KIA Families: May 8, 2023
- New KIA Students: May 15, 2023
What is the tuition for the 2023-2024 KIA School Year?
Do I have to pay the $25 Registration Fee & the $150 Deposit for each child?
Yes, a $25 Registration Fee and $150 Deposit is due PER CHILD each year.
What other support will be available to my child?
Special education support will not be provided through this program.
What happens on a schedule early release day?
Typically, the first Wednesday of each month in HPS is an early release day. On these days KIA will open early for the children to come right from dismissal and will close at the regular time of 6:00pm. Lunch is not served at schools on early release days so children should bring a peanut/tree nut free lunch to be eaten at KIA.
What if HPS has a weather related closure?
If HPS are closed, KIA will also be closed.
What if there is an unexpected early school closure due to weather or another event?
In the event that HPS releases students early due to inclement weather the Kids in Action After
School Program will close at 3pm. Only children enrolled in the After School Program on that day will
be transported from their home school to KIA. See the HPS School Closure/Delay Procedures here.
K-5 BEFORE SCHOOL
What time is before school?
Before School begins at 7:00am.
Is breakfast served?
KIA does not serve breakfast, but your child is welcome to bring their own, as long as it is peanut/tree nut free.
Do parents/guardians have to walk children in?
Yes, a parent/guardian or authorized pickup must walk the child(ren) into the building and sign the child(ren) into KIA using the Procare app using the provided QR code on their smart phone or the iPad provided.
What if HPS has a delayed opening?
If HPS have a delayed opening, KIA Before School will also have a delayed opening. For example, if HPS have a 2-hour delay, Before School will open at 9:00am. See the HPS School Closure/Delay Procedures here.
What is the tuition for the 2023-2024 KIA School Year?
Do I have to pay the $25 Registration Fee & the $150 Deposit for each child?
Yes, a $25 Registration Fee and $150 Deposit is due PER CHILD each year.
STRINGS AFTER SCHOOL
Where does the Strings Pilot program take place?
The Strings Pilot Program is located at South School.
When does the Strings Pilot program take place?
The Pilot Strings Program takes place on Tuesdays, January 31st through May 23rd. There are three session times: 3:15pm, 4:15pm and 5:15pm, each session is 45 minutes long.
Who is eligible to enroll?
All HPS students in grades 3 or 4 are eligible to enroll in the Strings Pilot Session. Sessions are capped at 10 students.
Is there a final performance or concert?
The final class, for each session, will be used as a performance.
Where can we rent instruments?
We suggest renting your instruments through Acoustic Strings of New England. Instruments rented through here will be delivered directly to South Elementary School and distributed to students on the first day of class. Please rent your instrument no later than January 25, 2023.
What if a session is cancelled?
If a strings session is cancelled, the final session will move from May 23, 2023 to May 30, 2023.
What happens if school is released early due to weather?
If HPS have an early dismissal do to a weather related event on a Strings Session day, all sessions will be cancelled. See the HPS School Closure/Delay Procedures here.
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