BUSY PARENTS VIE FOR SCHOOL SPOTS.

Byline: Douglas Clark Daily News Staff Writer

Yvette Skinner arrived bright and early at Madera Elementary School on Monday determined to have what many parents throughout the school district want - morning kindergarten sessions.

A single parent and full-time student at Moorpark College, Skinner said her tight schedule would unravel if her 4-year-old daughter, Morgan, were placed in the afternoon class.

``Kindergarten starts at 8, which means I can take 8:30 classes, which will enable me to take a full 15 credits so I can graduate next semester,'' she said. ``I'm going to have a big problem if they don't give me the morning session, because I got myself down here early.''

Skinner's situation sounds familiar to administrators at the district's 19 elementary schools, where kindergarten registration began Monday.

And if the clamoring for morning sessions has been heated in the past, expect the level to rise this year: State-mandated class-size reduction allows only 20 students per teacher, which means there are fewer morning spots than ever for the 1,445 kindergartners now enrolled.

``On the first few days, the parents who want the morning sessions will beat a path to your door,'' said Daniel Dallape, assistant principal at Madera. ``One man was here at 7:15. His wife had urged him to get here early because they really needed a morning spot.''

Although parents may not register their children until after 9 a.m. on school days, Dallape said parents are wise not to procrastinate.

Skinner, for example, is almost guaranteed one of 40 morning spots at Madera because she was the 11th parent to fill out an application on the first morning of registration.

Dan Hill, assistant principal at Berylwood, the district's largest elementary school, said the majority of parents move fast: About 90 of this year's 118 kindergartners were preregistered last spring.

``It's not as if no one wants the afternoon. But if they have other kids in the school here, it means a couple extra trips if they don't get the morning session,'' he said.

Theresa Kennedy, secretary at White Oak Elementary, where 64 children now attend kindergarten, said traffic was light Monday morning, but the school has received a lot of inquiries from parents.

Also, though children are generally placed on a first-come, first-served basis, Kennedy said the administration tries to accommodate parents with scheduling difficulties.

``Everybody's reason is compelling for wanting the morning. Everyone has needs,'' she said. ``We take everyone's needs into consideration and do the best we can.''

While early registration is preferred, there are circumstances that prevent some parents from doing so, according to Sandy Massie, Madera's school clerk.

``A lot of people who have never had children in school or are new to the district may register late (because they're unfamiliar with the process),'' she said. ``We've been fortunate to fill most of our requests.''

Also, Massie said parents who wish to take part in the School Choice program must first register with the campus in their neighborhood. Children often must attend the local school while waiting for an opening at a school elsewhere in the district.

Enrolling kids requires records on age, health

Preregistration for Simi Valley children entering kindergarten began Monday. To be eligible for the 1998-99 school year, children must be 5 years old on or before Dec. 2, 1998.

School officials said a birth certificate for kindergartners must be presented at registration.

The state of California also requires verification of an immunization record, including dates for the following vaccines: poliomyelitis, three doses; diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DPT), four doses; and measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), one dosage with one additional dose for measles; and three doses for hepatitis B.

Since it takes six months to complete hepatitis B vaccines, school officials say it is important for parents to start the process as soon as possible.

A physical also is required before a student may start school in September. Parents will receive a form to take to their family doctor when registering.

For more information, call the school district's Educational Services Department, [phone].

CAPTION(S):

Photo, Box

PHOTO (Color in Simi Edition only) Adrian Galindo, 4, waits as his mom, Gloria, holding Aaron, 6 months, fills out registration forms at Madera Elementary School.

Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News

BOX: Enrolling kids requires records on age, health (See text)