WEL COME
KINDERGARTEN CLASS OF 2039!
Dear Kindergarten Families,
We are thrilled to welcome you and your child to Alexandria Public Schools!
From the very first day, we are dedicated to sparking your child’s curiosity, building confidence, and inspiring a lifelong love of learning in a caring and supportive environment.
Kindergarten here is so much more than a classroom—it’s a welcoming community where every child is celebrated for who they are. We encourage curiosity, foster friendships, and provide endless opportunities for creative exploration. Through engaging, hands-on activities, your child will build the skills and confidence that set the stage for future success.
Our dedicated teachers and staff are passionate about supporting both students and families. We work to ensure every child feels safe, valued, and eager to discover new adventures. We are honored to partner with your family as your child begins this special journey. If you have any questions or would like to visit, please reach out—we are here to support you every step of the way.
Carlos Elementary
Rick Sansted, Principal rsansted@alexschools.org 320-852-7181
Miltona Science Magnet School
Dr. Trish Perry, Principal tperry@alexschools.org 877-736-1419
Garfield Elementary
Michelle Bethke-Kaliher, Principal mkaliher@alexschools.org 320-762-3350
Woodland Elementary
Heather Timm, Principal htimm@alexschools.org 320-762-3300
Lincoln Elementary
Brendan Bogart, Principal bbogart@alexschools.org 320-762-3320
Voyager Elementary
Dana Christenson, Principal dchristenson@alexschools.org 320-762-3325
Magnet Program Option: Miltona Science Magnet Elementary will continue to operate as a “magnet school” and requests from elementary students across the district to attend Miltona School will be honored as long as space is available. Transportation will be provided by the district for most areas.
Carlos Elementary: Carlos Elementary is exploring a four day week (with most Fridays off) for the 2026-27 school year. This is subject to community input, interest, and state approval.
Quick Checklist
The items below need to be completed and/or provided before the first day of school:
Early Childhood Screening Registration for Kindergarten
Photocopy of your child’s birth certificate Immunization records
Enrollment Instructions
February: Register for Kindergarten & Secure Your Child’s Spot
Parents are strongly encouraged to register their child between February 9 and February 23, 2026 to help us plan for staffing needs at each building.
q Existing Alexandria Public Schools parents with a ParentVUE account will log in with your ParentVUE credentials and then follow the online wizard. When you get to your students, if your child is not listed, use the add student button.
q New Alexandria Schools Parents or Parents without a MyAlexSchools Portal Account. If you have an email on file with Alexandria Public Schools, an email will be sent with your sign-on credentials for your new MyAlexSchools account. You will use these credentials when you click on the Online Registration link to start the registration process. If you are not sure if you have an email on file or if you do not receive your credentials, please contact your child’s elementary school office and they will be able to provide you with this information.
q For families who don’t have computer or smart phone access or need assistance with completing the online registration, please call Wendy Fridgen, Enrollment Coordinator, at 320-762-2141 ext. 4510 or email enrollment@alexschools.org to arrange a time to come in and meet with Wendy for assistance. The District Welcome Center is located at 1410 S McKay Ave, Alexandria.
Don’t miss these upcoming Kindergarten connection events!
Important Dates
We want to support your family and ensure a smooth transition into kindergarten. We hope you can join us for these events and activities.
May 2026: Kindergarten
Sneak-a-Peek
It is time for the incoming kindergarteners to visit their school, find their way around, and meet some of their new teachers.
Summer 2026: Jumpstart
to Kindergarten
Jumpstart to Kindergarten offers children entering kindergarten an opportunity to boost their confidence and spark excitement for the new school year. This event, hosted at your child’s elementary school, provides children with a preview of a typical day in kindergarten.
August 2026: School Open House/Orientation
For all K-5 students and families, this is an opportunity to visit your school, get to know their new teacher, spend some time in the classroom and be all set to start the year off right.
A Typical Day
Upon arrival, students can enjoy a free breakfast.
Students go to their classroom and prepare for the day. They will be warmly welcomed by their teacher, make lunch choices and say hello to their friends.
The day begins with a morning meeting. Students will greet one another and take part in a fun activity to build community within the classroom.
In the morning, we have our literacy block, where students engage in wholegroup and small-group lessons and read-alouds. Enjoying literature is such an important part of the kindergarten day.
Snack time! Students will have the opportunity to have a snack in the morning. It is also important for them to bring a water bottle to school.
Depending on the day, students dive into a variety of experiences—they might make music, get active in physical education, explore the school library, create in the makerspace, work in the computer lab, or engage in hands-on science and writing lessons in the classroom.
Lunch time! Students will eat lunch in the cafeteria with their classmates.
Recess! Students will go outside for recess to enjoy some fresh air and exercise as they play with friends.
In the afternoon, we have our math block, where students engage in whole-group or small-group lessons. There are many opportunities throughout the week to practice their skills.
At the end of the day, students will gather on the rug for a closing activity and recap of the day.
Time to go home! Kids will gather their belongings and be escorted to the bus, parent pickup or Compass care area.
Enrollment and Class Sizes
Our target is to create class sizes of 23 or less in kindergarten. We also have a full-time highly skilled paraprofessional in each room to break down class size.
Code of Conduct
Alexandria Public Schools has adopted a Code of Conduct to establish a respectful, safe and caring place to learn. These five basic “standards” are introduced starting in kindergarten.
Respect Honesty Kindness Fairness Responsibility
Instructional Technology
Alexandria Public Schools is a leader in using technology to personalize and accelerate learning and to connect with all types of learning styles. Instructional technology being used in kindergarten includes SMART Interactive Displays, iPads, document cameras, educational applications and literacy technology tools.
Special Services Available
Students needing special education or other support services will be provided these services in a setting or program that appropriately meets their unique needs. Specialists may include special education teachers, speech/language clinicians, social workers, classroom or health paraprofessionals, reading specialists or other help as needed.
Kindergarten Ready
School Services
Health Services & Immunizations
All elementary schools are staff with a Health Assistant or Nurse (LPN/RN). A Licensed School Nurse is employed by the district and is responsible for supervision of the health services offices and staff. The health services staff will work with you to accommodate any health needs your child may have while in school. If your child has any special health needs or a health condition that the school should be aware of, please contact the school right away so that they can prepare for the first day of school. All medications given at school, including over-the-counter medications, require a doctor’s order.
Breakfast and Lunch
All elementary schools serve a nutritious breakfast and lunch daily. All menus meet nutritional requirements established by USDA. All students, including kindergartners receive a FREE breakfast and lunch daily. They also have a daily milk break available for an annual fee. Your student’s lunch number and family key number will be mailed out in early July. You will also be emailed a link to the current meal benefit application in late July. If you feel your student may qualify for free or reduced meals or other educational benefits based off gross annual income, please complete the application before the start of the 2026-2027 school year.
Transportation
Bus transportation is available for kindergarten children who attend the school serving their neighborhood and live 1/4 mile or more from the school. An email will be sent to families prior to the start of school, once transportation information is available in ParentVUE. Your child’s bus stop will be near your home or child care location. School staff greet students in the morning when buses arrive at school, and at the end of the day, staff escort them to their buses to head home.
Early Childhood Screening
Early Childhood Screening is a free and simple check of how your child is growing, developing and learning. It is best done when your child is around 3 years old. It is also a requirement for any child entering school in Minnesota.
What to expect at a screening appointment
Trained professionals will check:
Vision and hearing
Growth, immunizations and movement
Thinking, language and communication skills
Social and emotional development
If you have recently moved into the school district or have not been invited to screening prior to your child’s 4th birthday, please call Alexandria Public Schools Early Education at (320) 762-3305.
Community Education’s Compass Program
provides before- and after-school, non-school day, and summer quality childcare options for students in PreK - 5th grade. Some of the benefits of Compass include:
Friendly, caring staff
Child-centered learning environment
Safe, caring environment
Opportunities for social skills growth
Recreation and enrichment activities, including homework help, crafts, science, gym, makerspace, technology, field trips, and outdoor play.
Receive free childcare when working in the program
Registration Dates
2026 Summer: March 1 at 9:00 a.m. 2026-27
School Year: July 1 at 9:00 a.m.
Family Supports
For more information and current rates, visit alexschools.org/compass or call Community Education at 320-762-3310.
ELECTRONIC SERVICE REQUESTED
Open Enrollment
Families that live outside the Alexandria ISD 206 attendance area may apply for Open Enrollment into our district. You can obtain an open enrollment application from the superintendent’s assistant at (320) 762-2141 ext. 4213, or mtimm@alexschools.org.
