Kindergarten Roundup brings tots into Plains School
<p>Kindergarten teacher Dana Diehl works with Chad McGonagle, 4, on his developmental screening where they went over colors, numbers, shapes, among other things.</p>
PLAINS – Parents from around the area came to Kindergarten Roundup on Thursday, April 11 at the Plains School to screen the upcoming kindergarteners developmentally.
Many of the kids were shy and timid as they quietly strolled through the halls questioning where they were and why they were there.
Others were ready to go, making the screening tests lively and exciting, bringing a smile to the faces of those screening.
All the kids who are eligible for kindergarten next year had the opportunity to attend Kindergarten Roundup.
Five tests were conducted and included vision, hearing, speech, motor skills and developmental screening.
The parents of preschool students also had the opportunity to screen their children.
According to Elementary School Principal, Jim Holland, Kindergarten Roundup gives the school an opportunity to get an idea of what next year’s kindergarten class will look like.
“It gives us a number of how many kids we have plus we use some of that information to place them,” said Holland.
The Plains Elementary School is currently expecting 27 new kindergarteners to the district. However, according to Holland, that number usually grows a few more during the summer months.
If that number remains in that area, two kindergarten classes will be formed.
During the week of May 20, the school will be conducting their annual KinderCamp. This camp gives upcoming kindergarteners and parents an opportunity to become familiar with the school routine before the beginning of the year.
“This year’s kindergarteners will stop a week early and we have these guys come in for a week. They get used to the routine and things like that,” said Holland.
This also gives the school a chance to evaluate the kiddos and get a better understanding of any special needs individual students might have. The information is used to help set up the classroom roster for the following year.
The Kindergarten schedule is a five-day, full-day class schedule running Monday through Friday.
The students in attendance of KinderCamp will be served a hot lunch from the cafeteria at no cost to the parents during the week.