McMinnville School District is launching a “Welcome to Kindergarten” program designed to provide all district pre-kindergarten children and their families with information, resources and experiences that will build a foundation for learning and smooth transition to school.

“Family engagement helps children be successful, in school and in life,” said Stephanie Legard, district director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment. “Our goal for this program is to help create the foundation for positive, collaborative relationships between our families and schools that sets the stage for a smooth transition to school and future success.”

Four sessions will be offered before the 2019-20 school year begins, and another set of sessions will follow. First sessions include:

  • “Awesome Activities to Help Your Child Develop Early Number Concepts” (Thursday, May 16, 5 – 6:30 p.m., Grandhaven Elementary) – An intuitive sense of numbers begins at a very early age. This workshop invites the whole family to participate in engaging, hands-on number activities that will make learning math fun!
  • “Easy and Fun Ways to Build Your Child’s Vocabulary” (Thursday, June 6, 5 – 6:30 p.m., Memorial Elementary) – A strong vocabulary helps foster understanding, communication and reading ability. This workshop engages families in simple activities that can help build vocabulary.
  • “Healthy Kids Starting Strong” (Thursday, June 27, 5 – 6:30 p.m., Columbus Elementary) – Motor skills and nutrition are important for children’s growth, independence and cognitive development. This workshop offers family activities that foster gross motor development and healthy eating habits.
  • “Kindergarten Transition Camp” (Monday – Thursday, August 19 – 22, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., child’s neighborhood school) – These morning sessions help new students transition to their new schools and give them a head start on meeting other students and learning about what a school day will be like.
  • A program for parents will be offered on the first day of transition camp on Monday, August 19 from 9 a.m. – noon.Details will be outlined for the second part of “Welcome to Kindergarten, a series of ongoing and dynamic family-school partnerships for student success.

The project is funded by a grant from Mid-Valley Parenting.

For questions or more information, please contact Mary Dressel, 503.565-4004. (Para español comuníquese con Monica Mejia, 503.565.4026.)  Click here for a downloadable (English/Spanish) flyer.

5/13/2019