It’s hard to believe that the first day of school is almost here! It’s been a busy month for the Transition to Kindergarten Initiative as staff, transition teams and volunteers have been working hard to make sure children in Durham are ready for school. A variety of transition events have taken place throughout Durham, and last week, we collaborated with our friends at East Durham Children’s Initiative for a Popsicles on the Playground event for rising kindergartners at Y.E. Smith Elementary.
Children enjoyed frozen treats on a summer day while playing with some of their future classmates, and parents had a chance to meet other families with rising kindergartners and to receive information and resources.
Next week, several schools will hold Kick Off to Kindergarten events where we’ll be cheering on new students and parents as they arrive for their first day of school. There will be plenty of excitement, smiles and tears (from both children and parents!), so please consider joining the fun and volunteering to help children get excited about the year ahead and feel welcome in their new school!
At Y.E. Smith Elementary, 33 rising kindergartners have attended at least one of the transition events held throughout the spring and summer. Including our other Transition Team schools – E.K. Powe, Forest View and Lakewood Elementary – we’ve reached up to 48% of the rising kindergarten class at each school, and through our TTK Mini Grants, an estimated 500 additional families participated in transition activities at 16 child care centers and schools. Best of all, 100% of families surveyed at events said that they felt more confident about ways to prepare their child for kindergarten!
