Countdown To Kindergarten


Readiness Materials
Partner Resources
Glossary of terms
Play to Learn Groups
Guide to BPS Families and Students 2007/2008
   English Spanish CapeVerdean Chinese Haitian Portuguese Somali
   Vietnamese

This section of the web site provides links to other sites you can visit or places you can call for additional information. You can also click on Materials to order printed versions of Countdown's materials. Transforming the BPS is a wonderful guide outlining all the enhancements made in the district over the past decade. The Glossary link provides you with definitions of frequently used words and terms.

BPS website: www.bostonpublicschools.org.
Your local library, many community centers and some empowerment zone sites offer access to the internet and training on how to use it.

Family Resource Centers:
Visit any Family Resource Center to register for school and to pick up information that will help you prepare your child and family for kindergarten.

East Zone:
1216 Dorchester Ave, Dorchester
617-635-8015
North Zone:
55 Malcolm X Blvd, Roxbury
617-635-9010
Staff speak English, Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean Creole, Greek, Portuguese, Somali, Spanish and Vietnamese.
West Zone:
515 Hyde Park Ave. Roslindale
617-635-8040

Other BPS Resources:
  • Boston School Committee: 617-635-9014
  • Bilingual Education: 617-635-9435
  • Special Education: 617-635-8599
  • Alternative Education: 617-635-8035
  • Food and Nutrition Services: 617-635-9144
  • Homeless Student Unit: 617-635-8037
  • School Hotline (August and September): 617-635-9046
  • Transportation: 617-635-9520

Parent Organizations:
  • Citywide Parents Council: Advocacy group for parents with children in the Boston Public Schools, including representatives elected from individual school parent councils. 617-635-9210.
  • Parent Advisory Councils (PACs): Provide support, training and advocacy for parents along with a vehicle for providing input to BPS on policies and programs.
        Special Needs PAC: For BPS families who have children with special needs. 617-635-7810
        Bilingual Master PAC: Groups for BPS families who speak Haitian Creole, Chinese, Vietnamese, Somali, Portuguese, Cape Verdean Creole, and Spanish. 617-635-8339
  • Parents United for Child Care: Information on before and after school programs and advocacy for more affordable childcare. 617-426-8288
  • Boston Parents Organizing Network: Brings together and funds groups that organize parents to advocate for improvement in the schools. Parents can call to get referrals to different groups working on education and other parent issues. 617-635-5922

Other Resources:
  • Childcare Choices of Boston:
    Provides information on childcare, summer camps, before and after school programs and financial aid. 617-542-KIDS
  • Boston Partners in Education:
    Provides information and training on school volunteering. 617-451-6145
  • Federation for Children with Special Needs:
    Provides advocacy, information and training. 617-236-7210
  • Mayor’s Health Line: Provides advocacy and help getting health insurance or finding a doctor. 617-635-5050
  • Mayor’s Office of New Bostonians: Provides support and referrals for immigrants and refugees. 617-635-2980
  • Mayor’s Youthline: Staffed by trained teenagers who provide information about Boston youth services and activities. 617-635-2240. Monday – Friday noon – 8 p.m.

If You Want to Read More:
  • Introducing the Boston Public Schools: Describes each school and provides information about BPS policies. Is available at the Family Resources Centers beginning in December.
  • A Parents Guide to the Boston Citywide Learning Standards: Produced by the Institute for Responsive Education. 617-373-2595
  • A Guide for Parents and community: Education Issues in the BPS Teacher’s Union Contract: Distributed by the Massachusetts Advocacy Center to help parents understand teachers’ rights and responsibilities and ways families can get involved in education issues. 617-357-8431 x221 or x227
  • Boston Parents Paper: Monthly newspaper you can pick up for free with a calendar of family events, classes, camps and more. 617-522-1515
  • Children’s Books about starting school are available the all of the Boston Public Library Branches. These are recommended by kindergarten teachers, parents, childcare providers and children’s librarians:

    Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come, by Nancy Carlson
    When You Go To Kindergarten, by James Howe
    Kindergarten Kids, by Ellen Senisi
    Franklin Goes to School/Franklin Va a La Escuela,
       by Paulette Bourgeois
    One Happy Classroom, by Charnon Simon
    Mrs. Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten, by Joseph Slate
    Will I Have a Friend? by Miriam Cohen
    David Goes to School, by David Shannon
    Tengo Seis Años, by Ann Morris