Kindergarten

SCHOOL CLOSING PROCEDUREJames L. Doolan, supervisor of transportation for the Carroll CountyPublic Schools, reminds parents and the public of the board's policyfor the emergency closing of schools.In the event that it becomes necessary to close schools for the entire day because of inclement weather, the announcement will be made no later than 6:45 a.m. through the following radio stations: WTTR (Westminster), WHVR (Hanover,Pa.), WFMD and WZYQ (Frederick), WTHU (Thurmont), WBAL, WCAO, WPOC, WCBM, WMAR-TV, WFBR-AM, WLIF, WMIX, B104, WNUV-TV54, WJZ-TV, WYST, WQSR, WRBS and WGRX (Baltimore)

Central Library 10375 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. 410-313-7800. •All Together Now. Saturdays, 10:15 and 11:30 a.m. All ages; 30 minutes. •Eclectic Evenings. Second Tuesdays, 7 p.m. •English Conversation Club. Mondays, 10 a.m., and Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. Practice speaking and understanding English in a group setting. Register before attending. •Kindergarten Here We Come. Thu., Aug. 18, 7 p.m.; Fri., Aug. 19, 2:15 and 3:30 p.m.; and Sat., Aug. 20, 2:15 and 3:30 p.m. Stories and activities to help mark the first day. For children entering kindergarten.

Kindergarten registration starts Registration for kindergarten for the 2006-2007 school year will be held this week at Carroll County public elementary schools. Enrollment in kindergarten is mandatory for children who will be 5 years old by Sept. 1. Parents will need to present the following information at registration: A copy of their child's birth certificate or other legal document to verify the child's legal name and birth date. Verification of residence. Specific addresses for transporting the child to and from school.

Schaefer popularity down in new pollGov. William Donald Schaefer's popularity has plummeted, according to a new poll taken by Mason Dixon Opinion Research Inc..The poll, taken Friday through Sunday, showed that only 35 percent of Marylanders think Schaefer is doing an excellent or good job, while 62 percent rate his performance as poor or fair.Just 15 months ago, 68 percent gave him a favorable rating and 29 percent unfavorable.FORCED SCHOOL STARTA bill to require 5-year-olds to attend kindergarten in Maryland won tentative Senate approval yesterday after a spirited debate over the right of parents to control the education of their children.

Gubernatorial candidates Martin O'Malley and Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. are expected to sign on to a campaign promoting the expansion of programs helping young children and families. The More for Maryland Campaign, which is to be launched today in front of City Hall, is asking candidates for public office to sign a pledge to "create more opportunity, demand more responsibility and deliver more results for our tax dollars every day." The pledge is vague enough that spokesmen from both campaigns said they believe there is little in it not to like.

Among the more than 41,000 Harford County public school students who will show up for first day of class tomorrow are the last group of full-day kindergartners, completing the county's switch from the half-day format. With the last eight schools welcoming 5-year-olds for a full day, Harford's 24 elementaries are in compliance a year ahead of the state's deadline for all-day kindergarten. Ring Factory Elementary School, just outside Bel Air, has been preparing for a year for the transition with teacher training, renovated classrooms and additional materials and furniture.

The Carroll County school board approved a budget request of $131.4 million last night, after adding money for kindergarten assistants, bus contractors and other items.As with the two public hearings last week, last night's meeting at Friendship Valley Elementary School in Westminster drew people who asked for more in the budget instead of less.The board added $386,020 to last month's original request by administrators after hearing comments from parents, bus contractors and staff at two public hearings last week.

For parents who worry that a child's tantrums or other disruptive activity portends academic failure, there's reason for hope. Two new studies show that children who enter kindergarten behaving badly can turn out to be successful after all. One study by an international team of researchers examined indicators of social and intellectual development in more than 16,000 children and found that those who had interrupted the teacher, ignored or resisted instructions...

Baseball, softball and tee-ball fans get ready! Opening Day has arrived in Brooklyn Park!The Brooklyn Park Youth Athletic Associationwill sponsor its first Opening Day Parade on Saturday.The parade will begin at 8:30 a.m. from the parking lot behind Ritchie Shopping Center, proceed down Morgan Road to 10th Avenue, and continue to the Brooklyn Park Fields.The parade will include about700 baseball, softball and tee-ball players between the ages of 5 and 16, the fire department, McGruff the Crime Dog, the DARE Bear, clowns sponsored by the Children's Cancer Society, a color guard presented by the VFW and Junior Girl Scouts from Troop 738, the Bronco Cheerleaders, and a majorette group from Brooklyn.

IF ONE OF the first documents to be released in first lady Laura Bush's education initiative is any indication, we're in for more substance than many thought possible. "A Guide for Parents: How Do I Know a Good Early Reading Program When I See One?" is remarkable for its detailed direction. Granted, some of the guidance is generalization: "Every teacher is excited about reading and promotes the value and fun of reading to students." But beyond a few such statements, Bush's 10 tips specify how much time children should spend in reading instruction, how many times a week they should be tested, and how many times they should practice spelling.