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ECEC 4-Year-Old Program Information for the 2025-2026 School Year

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    Names are currently being placed on a waiting list for the 2025-2026 school year.

    To qualify to register for the Pre-K program, the child must:

    • be four years old on or before September 1, 2025
    • reside within the Pearl Public School District
    • be fully toilet-trained

    The ECEC Pre-K program is funded with Title I funds. To determine eligibility for the program, each child must be screened. Applying does not guarantee acceptance. Children who demonstrate a need for a preschool program are placed in the program first. Space is limited; our Pre-K program is limited to serving 100 students per school year.

    If you want to place your child's name on our waiting list, please complete the ECEC Screening Signup for 2025-2026 School Year by 3:00 p.m. on February 28, 2025.

    ECEC Screening Signup for 2025-2026 School Year

     

    Required documents at the time of screening

    • When you bring the child to be screened, you must bring the information listed below.
    • The parent/guardian must accompany the child to the screening.
    • Proof of the child's residence in accordance with the Student Verification of Residence Policy and state law.
         Visit www.pearlk12.com/registration and click on PPSD Residency Requirements for requirements.
    • A CERTIFIED birth certificate for the child.  
    • A Certificate of Immunization Compliance Form 121 obtained from the MS Department of Health and signed by the District Health Officer, a physician, or a nurse. OR
    • A Certificate of Medical Exemption Form 122 obtained from the MS Department of Health and signed by the District Health Officer.
    • Evidence of the student's social security number.  
    • If you are a custodial parent, you must also provide custody papers (or divorce decree stating custody).
    • If you are a legal guardian of the student, you must also provide a copy of the court order appointing you as guardian. If the petition for guardianship has been filed and the decree is pending, you must provide a certified copy of the filed petition for custody.

ECEC Pre-K Program - Frequently Asked Questions

  • How old does my child have to be for Pre-K for the 2024-2025 school year?

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    A child must be four years old by September 1, 2024.
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  • How many students are accepted into the Pre-K Program at ECEC?

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    The PPSD Early Childhood Education Center Pre-K Program is limited to serving 100 students in the 2024-2025 school year.
    Comments (-1)

  • Is my child guaranteed placement in the ECEC Pre-K Program for the 2024-2025 school year if his/her

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    Applying does not guarantee acceptance.  However, it is important for parents to place their child’s name on the waiting list by March 1, 2024.  Names taken after March 1, 2024, will be placed on a secondary waiting list. 
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  • How are students selected for Pre-K Program at ECEC?

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    The ECEC Pre-K Program is funded with Federal Programs Title I funds.  To determine eligibility for the program, each child must be screened.  Children are placed in the program from those demonstrating the greatest need to those demonstrating the least need based on the results of the screener.
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  • What can I expect on the screening day?

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    Certified teachers screen all children at Pearl ECEC using the Brigance Early Childhood Screener for 4-Year-Olds.  This developmental screener provides a useful snapshot of a child’s development at a particular point in time.  The screener addresses the domains of Physical Development, Language Development, Academic Skill/Cognitive Development, and Self-help and Social-Emotional Skills.

    On screening day, parents/guardians need to bring their child to the ECEC, along with the following documents:

    • Required proofs of residence.
    • Child’s certified birth certificate
    • Child’s social security card
    • Form 121 Immunization Form (or Form 122 Exemption Form)
    • A copy of legal custody papers (if the parent is divorced)
    • Guardianship documents (if the child is not living with parent)

    The parent/guardian will check-in and provide the documents listed above.   While a certified teacher screens the child, the parent/guardian will stay in the lobby.  The screening takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes. 
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  • When will I find out if my child has been accepted into the Pre-K Program?

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    Notifications will be emailed and mailed through the U.S. Postal Service by March 18, 2024. 

    If your child has been screened and you do not receive a notification by March 25, 2024, please contact the ECEC office at 601-933-2461.
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  • My child was not accepted and was placed on the waiting list. Is acceptance a possiblity?

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    Yes.  Pearl ECEC’s Pre-K Program maintains a waiting list throughout the school year and fills slots as they become available.
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  • Do I pay for my child to attend Pre-K?

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    No.  The Pearl Public School District does not offer tuition-based Pre-K.
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  • My first child was in the Pearl ECEC Pre-K Program. Will my other children be able to attend?

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    Each year, children must qualify for the Pre-K Program.  Having a sibling who previously participated in the program is not a qualifying component.
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  • I currently live outside of the Pearl Public School District, but plan on moving to Pearl soon.

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    You must live within the Pearl Public School District at the time of requesting enrollment in the Pre-K Program to qualify.
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  • If I choose for my child to begin Kindergarten at the age of six, may they apply as a five-year-old?

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    No.  Only four-year-old children may participate in the Pearl Early Childhood Education Center Pre-K Program.
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  • My child does not turn four until after September 1, 2024. Can my child still attend ECEC?

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    To be eligible for our Pre-K Program, students must be four years old by September 1, 2024.
    Comments (-1)

  • Is there a specific curriculum used in Pre-K?

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    Our Pre-K program follows the Mississippi Early Learning Guidelines for Four-Year-Olds.  Using Opening the World of Learning (OWL) curriculum resources, our educational approach addresses Mississippi Pre-K content standards in seven domain areas:  Language and Literacy, Math, Science, Social Studies, Creative, Social and Emotional, and Health and Physical Development.  Our Pre-K program activities are designed to reach students at their own developmental level and provide them with the necessary building blocks for future learning experiences.  Our learning opportunities facilitate every child’s natural curiosity and eagerness to learn.
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  • What are the hours of the Pre-K program?

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    Our Pre-K program is a full-day program.  School hours are located in the Student/Parent Handbook at www.pearlk12.com under the Parents tab. For the 2023-2024 school year, the hours were from 7:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

     
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  • Is bus transportation provided?

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    No, bus transportation is not provided.  The parent/guardian is responsible for daily transporting their child to/from school.
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  • Is there an Afterschool Program?

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    Yes.  Pirate Care is an afterschool program for students.  Pirate Care is available for Pre-K students at ECEC.  Space is limited.  There is a registration fee and tuition fee to attend Pirate Care.  Please email the Pirate Care Director, Joan Ishee, at jishee@pearlk12.com for more information upon notification of acceptance into the program.
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