WORTHINGTON -- Calling all 5-year-olds! March is an exciting time of year at Prairie Elementary -- it's time for Kindergarten Round-Up.
Future scholars of Worthington District 518 along with their parents are invited to attend Kindergarten Round-Up on Monday, March 26 at the following times: 8:30-10 a.m., noon to 1:30 p.m., and 5:30-7 p.m. These three separate times will hopefully work for all families. Transportation is available by contacting SMOC Head Start at 376-4195.
Kindergarten Round-Up is a good opportunity for families to see the school and meet some of the wonderful staff. Many times this is the first time for parents to come into the building, and the first thought is that the building is so big and their child will get lost. Yes, Prairie Elementary is a big school, but the feel is much smaller due to the layout of the building being divided into three separate pods. All of the kindergartners are together in one wing closest to the front of the building. The teachers accompany the students to other parts of the building when they need to attend music, library, computer, physical education as well as to eat lunch. The students are escorted to the bus at the end of the day. The students are also supervised by at least four adults while outside for recess. Safety is extremely important, and strict measures are taken to provide the safest environment possible for all of the students at Prairie Elementary while allowing them to learn and grow academically and socially.
This year is the third year of providing all-day, every-day kindergarten, and what a success! The students have adjusted very well as they are provided high quality instruction, rest time and opportunities to share with others. It is exciting to see the kindergarten students reading, adding whole numbers and telling time rather than waiting for these skills in the first grade. The first-grade teachers have appreciated the academic abilities of the incoming students each year since they have many of their prerequisite skills learned before entering first grade. All-day, every-day kindergarten is a program that makes sense for students and families, and the goal is to continue to provide this program as long as possible. The research states that early interventions with students make the greatest gains; there is a lot of truth to this research as evidenced by the gains of the kindergarten students.
Kindergarten students, as with all elementary students, receive instruction in reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies that is provided by the classroom teacher in addition to instruction in the area of music, computer, library, Spanish, and physical education. The licensed music teachers see the students three times per week and prepare them for a performance once during the year, when parents are invited to see what they have learned. The students are confident to speak out and sing loudly from memorizing all of the songs. Licensed physical education teachers see the students daily and provide instruction in hopes that students embrace lifelong skills that include exercise and making healthy choices.
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Kindergarten students also have access to field trips each year; they usually go to the pumpkin patch as well as to the apple orchard. These experiences connect with the curriculum in the classroom and enhance their learning.
In summary, parents are invited to attend Kindergarten Round-Up with their children. The children will have an activity in the kindergarten classrooms and receive an overview of what school will be like. SMOC Head Start and Early Childhood Family Education staff will be in attendance to assist with the activities. Parents will have a presentation by the staff and the opportunity to ask questions. We encourage parents to come in with their child during the coming months to familiarize themselves with the building and staff. Administrators are available and willing to give tours as needed and answer questions that may arise.
Please remember that Prairie Elementary is a community school; visits, questions, and suggestions are always welcome. We take our job of serving the students and families of District 518 seriously, but we don't forget to enjoy the students on a daily basis. Our students are the future; the future looks great!
Nancy Antoine is the principal of Prairie Elementary.
