District 157-C program sets kindergarteners on path to success

An innovative program in Frankfort School District 157-C welcomes incoming kindergarten students and their parents prior to the beginning of their classes in the fall. The first session of “Kindergarten, Here We Come!” was held on April 3. Additional sessions will be held on May 1 and May 22, 2018 at 1:15 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., with the same session repeated in the evening at 6:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. at Grand Prairie Elementary School at 10480 West Nebraska Street in Frankfort.

During each session, the incoming kindergartners and their parents are welcomed into Grand Prairie to see the building and meet some of the staff and teachers. The children will experience activities with teachers, while the parents take a tour of the school and hear pertinent information to help them prepare for next year. The goal is to help orient the children to staff and the building while giving parents information about how to help support their child at home as they get ready to send them off to school in August.

The program was implemented when Principal Eileen Nelson joined the staff seven years ago. She had used it in her previous district with great success. She stated, “Kindergarten is such an exciting time for parents and children. It’s also a time of anxiety; stepping into the unknown. The original brainstorm was how to answer parents’ questions about what to expect and ease their fears, while giving them tools to help prepare their child throughout the summer for that big day in August.” She found a side benefit of the program was the children acclimating to the building. She said a few might be tearful at the first one or two sessions separating from mom, but in August the new kindergartners are smiling and waving goodbye. Mrs. Nelson said, “The only tears are from the moms and dads because the children see familiar Grand Prairie faces and they know the building, so they are ready to come right in and begin learning!”

On April 3rd the topic for parents was “Creating Mathematicians.” On May 2nd the topic will be “Literacy Strategies” and on May 22nd the topic will be “Growth Mindset/Student Assessment.” Each of the three sessions is different with opportunities to gain knowledge of Grand Prairie, kindergarten expectations, and get questions answered. Parents may attend each of these programs since staff will be covering a different topic each day. There is no need to pre-register, however, school administrators ask that parents sign in when they come. While the parents are attending their session, the children will be welcomed by teachers and staff to enjoy participation in activities with favorite stories and nursery rhymes such as “Pout Pout Fish,” “Ants Go Marching” and “The Itsy Bitsy Spider.”

District 157-C Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Maura Zinni, stated, “I commend Mrs. Nelson for creating this program to make the transition for the kindergarten students go smoothly. I think it is such a remarkable program, both for the students and the families. It takes a lot of time to implement a program like this, but that is the beauty of it – it is best for the students.” Mrs. Nelson agreed, stating, “It is a wonderful, purposeful program that I hope continues long after I’m gone!”

Additional opportunities for the kindergarteners at Grand Prairie will include activities at the school for parents and students over the summer and a chance to check out books to take home from the library. In addition, a Kindergarten Curriculum Night and a “Meet and Greet” will be held prior to the first day of the new school year.

All children who will be five years of age on or before September 1, 2018 are eligible for entry into kindergarten in the fall. Kindergarten Round-Up and registration were conducted in early March, however, incoming kindergarten students or students new to the district in any grade may register by making an appointment with the District Office at 815-469-5922.