Kids test the waters at Kindergarten Kickoff

Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Friday, August 07, 2009

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Children and families visited their new schools and met the kindergarten teachers.

Children and families visited their new schools and met the kindergarten teachers.

Children and families visited their new schools and met the kindergarten teachers.Teachers spent time with each child one-on-one to find out what they already know about letters, sounds, numbers, shapes and colors.Children for whom English is a second language received extra attention at Kindergarten Kickoff.Youngsters met their teachers in the library at Meadowthorpe.Counting out little plastic frogs was a favorite activity.These sisters will double the fun at Northern Elementary.Parents had a chance to fill out paperwork, too.Some 5-year-olds can already write their own name.

Across the county, kids are gearing up for kindergarten. And at special kickoff events, families and school folks have sown the seeds for strong relationships to nurture these little learners.

At Garden Springs Elementary, Grace eagerly talked about her Florida vacation, rhymed words like top and mop, and counted out 10 tiny plastic frogs, saying “I’m going to try to match the colors.”

Meanwhile, her parents waited with other families in the cafeteria, where the school served up bagels and fruit.

“We have heard so many good things about this school,” said Chuck White, who said he and his wife, Shannon, have been talking up kindergarten with Grace for several months.

Though the Whites already toured the school when they registered their little girl, they said the kickoff day was a good idea. “This is definitely helpful, being it’s our first child. We’re learning, too,” said Shannon White.

The kickoff gave teachers an opportunity to sit for 20 to 30 minutes with each child and get a sense of what the kids already know, such as letter and numbers, shapes and colors. The interaction also gave the children a preview of their new school before the first day. Each child left with a copy of the picture book “Tiptoe into Kindergarten.”

“It kind of puts them at ease and breaks the ice,” said Carol Withrow, who teaches kindergarten at Garden Springs.

Jamie Goble, an ESL teacher at Meadowthorpe Elementary, pitched in with the kindergarten screening and spent some time with youngsters for whom English is a second language.

“It’s nice to get an idea of what’s coming up and what I should be planning,” she said.

The kickoff was also a time for parents to pick up information about school, fill out needed forms and register as volunteers.

After completing some paperwork, Verkisha Searight entertained her toddler in the foyer at Meadowthorpe while waiting for her son.

“He was excited when I told him about (the kickoff),” she said. “He’ll be excited to come back.”

Registration

Nearly 3,000 kindergartners are expected to enroll this year. Fayette County families can register their kids through Aug. 12, 2009, the first day of school.