Dear Incoming Kindergarten Families,

We are so excited to have your child in class with us this year. As you know, the first five years of your child’s life are very important. Your child’s healthy development forms a foundation for lifelong learning. With that in mind, the district is thrilled to be using a screening tool to help teachers learn more about each child and personalize instruction during the kindergarten year. At the state level, this data will provide a snapshot of Kansas kindergartners’ development and help inform opportunities to improve kindergarten readiness statewide.

The screening tool is called Ages and Stages and has been used for more than 20 years to make sure children are developing well. It is called a screener because it looks at how children are doing in important areas, such as speech, physical ability, social skills, problem-solving skills, and behavior. These screeners can help identify your child’s strengths as well as any areas where your child may need support. However, there are no right or wrong answers. As a parent or caregiver, you are the best source of information about your child. That’s why these questionnaires are designed to be filled out by you. You will only need 10–15 minutes per screener. It’s that quick and easy.

Here’s how ASQ-3 works:

• Complete this screener when your child is with you so you can ask your child questions as needed during the screener.
• You will answer each question “yes,” “sometimes,” or “not yet,” based on what your child is able to do now. Your answers help show your child’s strengths and areas where he or she may need practice.
• To answer each question, you can try fun and simple activities with your child. These activities encourage your child to play, move around, and practice day-to-day skills.
• After you complete the questionnaire, a professional will share the results with you.

Here’s how the ASQ-SE2 works:

• Your child does not need to be present while you complete this screener.
• Answer each question by marking “often or always,” “sometimes,” or “rarely or never.” Answer based on what you know about your child.
• Note if any behaviors concern you.
• Remember that your answers help show your child’s strengths and areas where he or she may need support.

Thank you for your assistance with this important screening tool. Please let us know if you have any questions.

Please start the questionnaire. Please select, “I am completing both the ASQ-3 and the ASQ:SE-2 questionnaires” when prompted.

Sincerely,
Stacy Shipley, Principal