All you really need to know you can learn at Rochester Public School's Kick Off to Kindergarten. Held at Mayo High School, the annual event is hosted by the district's Parents Are Important In Rochester program and is designed to make sure families have the information, resources and contacts they need to feel confident sending their current preschooler to kindergarten in the fall.
"Thinking about sending your child to kindergarten can be a scary thing. It can be intimidating," said Peggy O'Toole-Martin, the school district's early-childhood family services manager. "We want to help make that transition to kindergarten a smooth one, an exciting one. For families with children entering kindergarten next fall, Kick Off to Kindergarten is one-stop shopping where you can ask questions and get the answers you need."
The evening is organized in an open house format. Families can come and go as their schedule permits, stopping at tables in the high school's cafeteria to meet with representatives from the district's elementary schools, early childhood screening, student nutrition services, transportation and more.
"We'll have all of the neighborhood kindergarten programs, all of the district-wide schools, too," said O'Toole-Martin. "We'll also have the district's literacy coordinator and representatives from the district's gifted program. You'll even be able to pick up information on the walking school bus program."
Families are asked to enter the event through Mayo High School's main doors. Once inside, PAIIR staff will check families in and give children a passport to complete as parents make the rounds gathering information.
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"At the end, there's a small prize," O'Toole-Martin said. "We'll also have a photo booth where children can take a picture with props that say "On my way to K." We welcome all families to come to KOTK. It's a fun way to prepare for a great kindergarten experience."
The event is free and no pre-registration is necessary. Translators will be available — call PAIIR regarding specific languages.
