Kindergarten Kickoff

 

KINDERGARTEN KICKOFF 2026

Kindergarten Kickoff Day for Portage Township Schools is Wednesday, March 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. We are excited to welcome our incoming PTS students! Kindergarten Kickoff is open to any Portage Township or out-of-district child who will be five years of age on or before August 1, 2026.

 

Online Registration
Families should plan to complete our online registration form prior to Kindergarten Kickoff. Complete your child's online registration. At the end of the online registration, you will find a link to make an appointment for Kindergarten Kickoff at your child's school on March 18. If you do not have a computer, you may complete the online registration at the school your child will be attending. There will be computer terminals set up and staff to assist you on Kindergarten Kickoff Day. Use this tool to locate your child's school by address. (Note: This map accounts for our upcoming new elementary boundary lines and the closure of Aylesworth Elementary School. Please check this map, as your home school may have recently changed.)

Online registration for 2026-2027 is now OPEN! Complete your child's online registration.

Residency Documentation

Please bring the following items with you to your Kindergarten Kickoff appointment:

• Board of Health Birth Certificate
• Proof of Immunization (Board of Health or Physician Verified)
• Guardianship Papers, if applicable
• Copy of parent or guardian Driver's License or ID
• Proof of residency - 2 items
  • Current lease agreement
  • Current mortgage papers
  • Current NIPSCO bill
  • Current water bill and/or sewer bill
  • Current vehicle registration
  • Affidavit of Residency (must be submitted annually), if applicable
  • Indiana Department of Education form I, II, or III (form can be picked up at your child’s school)

Please bring your child with you to your Kindergarten Kickoff appointment. While you are completing the registration process, we will briefly assess each child’s initial skills and provide you with the results. Additionally, you will receive information on Kindergarten and a “Bright Beginnings” back pack containing supplies and activities that will support you in preparing your child for Kindergarten.

Kindergarten Assessment
All incoming kindergarten students will participate in a Kindergarten Assessment. This will take place in August before the new school year starts. When you come to Kindergarten Kickoff, you will select an assessment time. The assessment will take place at the school your child will be attending.

Waivers
For parents of children who will turn five (5) between August 2, 2026 and September 1, 2026, you may request a "waiver" of the state-adopted kindergarten school entrance date. Kindergarten waiver requests will be accepted at each school until Monday, August 3, 2026. Eligibility will be determined after the August 2025 Kindergarten testing. Waivers will be available at Kindergarten Kickoff.

 

Intra-District Transfers
Students are permitted to attend a PTS school other than their assigned home school on an Intra-District Transfer. Acceptance is based on school enrollment and availability. If you would like to request an Intra-District Transfer for your kindergarten student, follow the steps below:

1. During the online registration process, select the school that you would like for your child to attend.

2. You may bring your child to Kindergarten Kick Off at your preferred school.

3. Schools will have copies of the Intra-District Transfer form at Kindergarten Kick Off. Decisions are made in the summer before the start of the school year.

We encourage you to contact your child’s school should you have any further questions about Kindergarten enrollment, waivers, or the requirements needed for your child’s successful registration on Wednesday, March 18.