Walk-in registration for all preschool programs 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:30-3:30 p.m. July 28, 29, 30 at the Mesa Education Center, 855 W. Eighth Ave., Mesa
 (formerly Powell Junior High). Registration will continue weekdays until all sites are filled.

Mesa Public Schools received $866,700 from First Things First to fund free prekindergarten for hundreds of youngsters throughout the district. The grant is funded by Proposition 203, the tobacco tax voters passed in 2006. The goal of First Things First is to help children start kindergarten healthy and ready to succeed.

First Things First
Mesa’s First Things First Preschool program will offer free half-day classes for three hours in morning or afternoon sessions four days a week at a variety of locations.

The MPS Preschool site, will offer a full-day preschool, with child care, from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. Qualified parents will pay only $50 per week for the child-care portion of the day.

Families that make less than 300 percent of the federal poverty level may qualify. For example, a family of two would have to make less than $3,643 monthly or $43,716 yearly; a family of four, less than $5,513 monthly or $66,156 yearly; a family of eight, less than $9,253 monthly or $111,036 yearly. (Add $935 monthly or $11,220 annually for each additional person.)

Other Mesa preschools
Mesa Public Schools offers a variety of free and tuition-based programs, including full-day preschools combined with child care at Red Mountain High, Dobson High and the MPS Preschool site.

Other programs range from the Mesa Early Learning Preschool and Mini-MELP, to Prekindergarten, KinderPrep, Family Tree and Special Education Preschool.

Registration for all preschool programs
Parents may enroll their children in the new and existing preschool programs between 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. beginning July 28 at the Mesa Education Center, 855 W. Eighth Ave., Mesa. Registration will continue each weekday until all sites are filled. Preschool start dates range from Aug. 11 to Aug. 30. To complete the registration process, parents must bring:

1. two of the most current paycheck stubs for each wage earner or your 2009 federal tax statement
2. a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate (birth certificate copies)
3. the child’s current immunization record (immunization clinics) 

4. a document that shows proof of residence (acceptable documents)

We look forward to hearing from you. Contact Mesa Public Schools to discuss the best placement for your preschooler. Call (480) 472-7250.