Durham’s rising kindergartners need your help! We are just 10 days away from the beginning of Durham’s 2nd Annual Kindergarten Registration Week, and we are still seeking volunteers to help us reach children and families throughout the week at locations all across Durham.
Kindergarten Registration Week, a collaboration between the Partnership and Durham Public Schools, begins on March 19th and ends with aKindergarten Registration Celebration on March 24th. This focused week offers all sectors of the community an opportunity to be involved in the important work of preparing children for school, starting with the critical first step: an easy and early enrollment.
Early enrollment and attendance on the first day of kindergarten are key factors to a good start to school. For some schools, only a fraction of the projected kindergarteners are enrolled and attend class on day one. When children are registered early, they’re more likely to be in attendance on the first day of school, which has a huge impact on a child’s entire educational career. When children are registered early, there is a greater opportunity to form connections between families and schools before the first day. This allows children and families to meet their new teachers and become comfortable and familiar with their new school. Early enrollment also supports our schools and teachers as they prepare for their incoming classes.
Read our guest column in the Herald-Sun to learn more about why these connections are so critical to a smooth transition to kindergarten.
During Kindergarten Registration Week, registration information will be spread far and wide across Durham – at grocery stores and local businesses, child care centers, health providers, and public agencies – by our community partners and you, our wonderful volunteers! At the culminating Kindergarten Registration Celebration on Thursday, March 24th at Hillside High School, parents will be able to complete the registration process while enjoying a fun evening with their children, featuring prizes, food, games, and activities featuring the library, fire department, and local businesses.
Please support Durham’s young learners by volunteering to help reach families during Kindergarten Registration Week. Sign up today!