MARION — To help ease the transition to Kindergarten, all three elementary schools in the Old Rochester district will have identical registration processes starting this fall. 

Marion School Committee members applauded the changes on Wednesday night, March 4, following a presentation from Early Childhood Coordinator Doreen Lopes. 

Additionally, Lopes and other program administrators streamlined the registration process, which should make it easier and less stressful for parents when registering students. 

"We went from 17 pieces of paper [to register] down to four," said Lopes. "Maybe we won't need to have those registration nights in the future." 

Lopes and Assistant Superintendent Michael Nelson noted that they asked for feedback from Kindergarten teachers at all three district schools before the changes were finalized. 

Nelson noted that Kindergarten entry protocols were slightly different at all three schools. Whittling those down and standardizing them included some "spirited conversations," he said. 

Ultimately, new Kindergarten students will have a multi-step welcome. It includes a screening process to be held in late May or early June where teachers can watch how students handle the new environment and interact with other students. 

Nelson said the goal of the screening was to provide teachers with information about each student to ensure that classrooms have a good mix of students. 

"Trying to preserve a diverse and well-balanced classroom is important," said Nelson.   

Following the screening, the first couple of days of school will include orientation and a classroom visit before Kindergarteners start classes full-time. 

Ideally, students and parents will have roughly four to six "points of contact" with school staff before the transition begins.

"The process will be made fun so it's not so intimidating for the children," said Lopes. 

This school year, officials offered online kindergarten registration for the first time in another bid to simplify the process. Lopes said that move was well-received by parents.