PK-K questions for Forest Grove area (Portland, Salem: 2010, school district, kindergarten)

[FloridaOregonian]

Hello!

I am a former Oregonian that has had an extended stint in Florida. While here, I got married and had two beautiful kids. I have convinced my husband that Oregon is THE place to be - and now we plan on returning next summer (2010).

My problem is that next school year, my daughter will be entering kindergarten, I would like to enroll my son in Pre School, I am a teacher (and hope to be employed full time next year), and I am completely stuck on what to do with my kids.

Kindergarten is only a half time program. My daughter will be attending Fern Hill elementary, hopefully in a dual immersion program. My big problem is what to do the OTHER half of the day. Are their programs that will pick her up for the second half of the day? I've found full DAY kindergarten programs, but for financial reasons I'm not sure we're prepared to enroll her there while we also have a child in Pre-School.

Based on what I can find online, I'm feeling rather frustrated with the early education opportunities. I am hoping that someone connected can give be a better idea of what is available. Surely I would not be the only working Mom of Pre Schoolers in the Forest Grove area

[Silverfall]

I don't know about Forest Grove but the Salem-Keizer school district has before and after school programs within the schools. It includes the kinders here. You might want to ask if they have those programs at Forest Grove.

[hamellr]

The Orenco school (technically in Hillsboro district,) has gotten some of the best grades in the past couple of years. It's on the East side of Hillsboro, which is about 10 miles east of Forest Grove. But that puts you 30 minutes from Portland.