First day of school for Idyllwild School (K-8) begins at 8:14 a.m. Monday, Aug. 8. Principal Matt Kraemer said parents could complete online registration at the school office, with assistance from school staff. When they do so, Kraemer said they would learn their child’s teacher’s name. Registration procedures are also available on the Hemet Unified School District website at www.hemetusd.org.
Kraemer noted that all students must provide proof of vaccinations in order to register, as is common nationally. California legislation in 2015 banned exemptions for vaccinations based on both religious and personal beliefs, which become effective with the 2016 academic year. An exemption to the requirement can only be obtained through showing a doctor’s certificate detailing the medical grounds for an exemption, which vaccines are exempted and whether the exemption is permanent or temporary. Medical grounds include physician-certified allergies or immune-system deficiencies.
Beginning with the fall 2016 school year, the new California law could affect up to 80,000 California students who annually claim personal-belief exemptions.
Idyllwild School welcomes two new teachers, Diana Kirkham, who will teach a kindergarten-first grade combo and Lindsay Crater who will teach fourth grade. Kirkham replaces Barbara Longbrook who retired. The fourth-grade position is a staff addition because of increased elementary-age population at the school.
Kraemer touted a new addition to the school library, a reading intervention program conducted by Nancy Friend.
School-day lengths vary depending on grade levels. Check with the school office 951-659-0750 for confirmation.
