January 26, 2024
Dear Milford Parents/Guardians,
Please read through this letter in its entirety to learn about a change in enrollment options for students who did not receive a waiver for Kindergarten for 2024-2025.
As you may know, on June 29, 2023, Public Act 23-208 was approved at the Connecticut General Assembly regarding the age of entrance for incoming public school students throughout Connecticut. Specifically, the legislation states that “public schools shall be open to all children five years of age and over who reach age five on or before the first day of September of any school year.” This requirement will go into effect next year on July 1, 2024 (for the 2024-25 school year).
Furthermore, Public Act 23-208 also includes the following provision: “a child who has not reached the age of five on or before the first day of September of the school year may be admitted (1) upon a written request by the parent or guardian of such child to the principal of the school in which such child would be enrolled, and (2) following an assessment of such child, conducted by such principal and an appropriate certified staff member of the school, to ensure that admitting such child is developmentally appropriate.”
While we support the change in the legislation for Kindergarten, we realize the one year notice for families who were planning to send their child to school next year may be causing a financial hardship. In sensitivity to our families, Milford Public Schools will be offering a preschool experience for students whose birthdays fall between September 1, 2019, and December 31, 2019, for the 2024-2025 school year only. We will be offering this opportunity at a reduced rate based on current preschool fee structures.
Again, we are only offering this for the 2024-2025 school year in order to best support families impacted by the short notification created by the legislative action that took place in June 2023.
Any family whose child’s birthday falls between September 1, 2019, and December 31, 2019, can choose to take the following actions:
Register for Kindergarten and request a waiver for your child and have your child assessed to determine developmental appropriateness to enter Kindergarten in 2024-2025
If your child receives the waiver, he/she will enter Kindergarten in 2024-2025
If your child does not receive a waiver, you can register for preschool in Milford Public Schools at a reduced rate (Ms. Terese Maguire will be in touch with you with this option)
-OR-
- Do not request a waiver and directly contact Ms. Maguire for a reduced rate preschool slot in Milford Public Schools
-OR-
- Wait to register your child for Kindergarten in 2025-2026
If you are interested in requesting a reduced rate preschool opportunity for your child, and his/her birthday falls between September 1 and December 31, 2019, please complete this form.
I realize navigating these many changes can be confusing. Feel free to reach out to our Supervisor of Early Childhood Education, Terese Maguire, at tmaguire@milforded.org with any questions.
Sincerely,
Anna M. Cutaia, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools