Junior kindergarten is a developmental program for children who live in Simi Valley and are kindergarten age but not ready for a traditional class. Following a year in junior kindergarten, most students will enter a traditional kindergarten program, although some may be ready to move on to first grade.

A parent information night to discuss the program will be at 6:30 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 14 in the Berylwood Elementary School auditorium, 2300 Heywood St., Simi Valley.

Two junior kindergarten classes are offered at Berylwood Elementary. Students are engaged in hands-on learning activities and are taught by certified teachers. The students have birthdays falling between July 1 and Dec. 2, making them the youngest students and needing time to mature.

The number and location of junior kindergarten classes that will be offered in 2010-2011 will depend on community response. Kindergarten pre-registration for the district’s 19 other elementary schools will take place in March.

Parents will need to contact Educational Services or Berylwood Elementary in February if they are interested in their child participating in junior kindergarten.

For more information, call the neighborhood school or Educational Services at (805) 306-4570 or (805) 306-4577 or Berylwood Elementary at (805) 520-0705.