Emily school to host childhood screenings

EMILY -- Emily Charter School will hold early childhood screenings for Head Start, pre-kindergarten children and kindergartners 8 a.m. to noon March 7 and April 4. The screenings are all free of charge.

The state-required early childhood screenings are available for children who will enroll in either the 4-year-old pre-kindergarten program or the 5-year-old kindergarten class for the fall 2003 school year.

For the child to be eligible for the pre-kindergarten class, he/she must be age 4 by Sept. 1, 2003. To be eligible for the kindergarten class, the child must be age 5 by Sept. 1, 2003.

Screenings also will be held for 3-year-old children interested in the Head Start program, based on special needs, family income and provided by the Tri-County Community Action Program.

The early childhood screening will include hearing and vision tests, height and weight assessments, a developmental screening and immunization review. Additional screenings will be available, by request, through the Child, Teen Check-Up program and provide by trained public health nurses.

These check-up areas will include simple laboratory tests, a physical exam, a growth assessment and nutrition review. The Crow Wing County Health Department will be available to give immunizations to those children who need them. The immunizations are available at a minimal fee. The Child, Teen Check-Up fee will be based on the family's income. For children who are on MN Care or Medical Assistance program, there is no charge. No one will be turned away if unable to pay.

For more information or to make an appointment for the early childhood screening, for children between the ages of 3 and 5, call Emily Charter School at (218) 763-3401. Walk-ins are also welcome.