With thanks to Andy Jacob of DOE for the information below, here are answers to some questions from readers about the kindergarten admissions process, both general-ed and gifted and talented.

Siblings. For nonzoned schools like Midtown West, the Tribeca Learning Centerand the Manhattan School for Children, the DOE policy of sibling preference holds -- but as there's no school zone per se, there can be no preferential enrollment for in-zone siblings. ('No zone' means no in-zone, no out-of-zone, just no zone.) So whether the admission is by lottery or another method, first priority is to siblings within the designated district, then to siblings from outside the district, and then, to in-district children without siblings in the school. (Out-of-district nonsiblings are last in this particular line.) Citywide general-education schools give priority to siblings without regard for zone or district.

Gifted and Talented programs. There's no news yet on new sites for proposed citywide gifted and talented schools in Brooklyn and Queens. Obviously, DOE siting decisions have to be made before admissions offers are extended -- but that's months out. (We'll keep asking.)

Some have asked how gifted and talented programs are placed at specific schools. While a school can volunteer for G+T classes, DOE more often looks at capacity and geography -- which schools have space, and where are those schools in relation to the students who've met g+t qualifications. A school's desire to host a program is less of a driving force than "demand for the program among qualifying students," according to Jacob.

A few parents of kindergarteners who declined seats at citywide gifted and talented programs in favor of zoned schools have asked whether their kids need to retake the tests to be re-considered for citywide g+t placements. The answer is, yes. Families who declined an offer for a citywide program do have to test again this year. Testing begins in January, but don't plan on it unless you've put in a request for testing: The deadline for requests for testingsubmission was November 19th.