Nearly 70K Applications For NYC Kindergarten Spots Submitted

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) - The families of almost 70,000 New York City kindergarten children have applied for spots in their favorite schools.

And for the second year in a row, the city offered online applications, with one improvement. The forms now come in 10 languages _ from English and Spanish to Chinese, Russian and Korean.

Education officials say families will hear back in April. And those who didn't meet a Wednesday deadline may still apply. But they'll find out later in the spring where their child will attend kindergarten.

All eligible children are guaranteed a placement offer. New York Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina says that early education is important because it provides the foundation students need to learn vocabulary, find hobbies and develop social skills.

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