Press Release 

Kindergarten and Preschool Screening Dates Announced 

Kindergarten Jumpstart Program 

The Savannah R3 School District will begin implementing a new program for the 2021-2022 school year.  The program titled “Kindergarten Jumpstart” will serve SR3 students from Amazonia, Helena, John Glenn, and Minnie Cline Elementary Schools while being housed at Helena Elementary.  Kindergarten Jumpstart is intentionally designed for students who are age-appropriate for Kindergarten yet are not quite ready for the expectations of a regular kindergarten classroom.  Ashley Anderson, Curriculum Director for the district, notes, “We believe that education is about more than academic knowledge and skills, so providing a transitional avenue for some of our students to continue developing their intellectual capabilities while focusing on their emotional, physical, and social needs will be the focus of this Kindergarten Jumpstart classroom.”  

The initial idea for Kindergarten Jumpstart came from SR3 elementary administrators who were seeing Kindergarten students enter their classrooms without all the necessary skills to be successful in one school year.  Kelly Warren, John Glenn principal, states, “Every year we see a few students who are old enough for Kindergarten that just aren’t prepared socially, emotionally, or sometimes physically for a regular classroom.  Many times, these students end up repeating Kindergarten and then move on to be very successful later.  Kindergarten Jumpstart provides the opportunity these kids need to learn to be successful at school.” 

SR3 Superintendent Dr. Kurre has seen success with a similar program in his previous district before coming to Savannah.  “We often found that by the time our students who participated in a similar kindergarten program were in the 2nd or 3rd grade, they were achieving at or even above grade-level expectations.” Dr. Kurre says that this is an initiative he supports 100%.  

Kristi Raines, Helena Principal, is excited to house Kindergarten Jumpstart in her building.  “We still have some logistics to work out before we are ready for students this fall, but I am excited for this new program and what it will mean for students across the district.” 

Eligibility for Kindergarten Jumpstart will be based on student performance during the district-wide kindergarten screenings in March.  

Due to COVID regulations, all kindergarten screenings for the 2021-2022 school year will be held at the Early Learning Center located on the old Savannah Middle School campus on Friday, March 19th, from 8 am to 3:40 pm.  Appointments need to be made by calling your home SR3 elementary school.  Any child living within the Savannah R3 District lines who will be 5 before August 1, 2021, is eligible for Kindergarten. For more information, please visit our website www.savannahr3.com or call one of our four elementary schools.  Minnie Cline Elementary (816) 324-3915, Amazonia Elementary (816) 475-2161, Helena Elementary (816) 369-2865, John Glenn Elementary (816) 279-4533.  

Preschool Screenings for children ages three and up will be held at the Early Learning Center on March 26th and April 9th.  Anyone interested in being placed on the Early Learning Center waiting list for the 2021-22 school year should call for an appointment. (816) 324-3123.