YOUTH

For more youth visit peoriatimes.com

PeoriaTimes.com /PeoriaTimes

Learn about kindergarten at this session

BY PEORIA TIMES STAFF

Parents of incoming kindergarten students are invited to a virtual information session to prep incoming families for their child’s first school experience.

The Peoria Unified event called “Kindergarten Live,” set for 4:30 p.m. Thursday, July 8, is on Microsoft Teams at https://bit.ly/3hcoyET.

The district is encouraging families of incoming kindergarteners to enroll now for the 2021-22 school year. While school starts on Wednesday, Aug. 4, the district wants to make sure all families feel prepared for their child’s first school experience.

The event highlights the district’s free, all-day kindergarten program to help answer questions for families. The parent information session will include Melissa Anderson-Larance, curriculum and instruction coach, at Canyon and Desert Valley elementary schools, who will discuss the value of early childhood education. During “Kindergarten Live,” Peoria Unified will walk families through standard kindergarten expectations, help address questions on new school year jitters, engaging online activities for students, and strategies for families to support their children.

To acclimate new students, elementary schools across Peoria Unified are also hosting Jump Start this summer for families of incoming kindergarten and first graders. Jump Start is an eight-day program that includes checks for foundational skills and begins reviewing the basic areas of focus our youngest learners need to be successful.

Along with hosting in-person and virtual events, Peoria Unified’s staff will assist families with the enrollment process over the summer. Families can enroll their kindergartener online at peoriaunified.org/kindergarten or call 623-486-6115 over the summer if they need additional assistance.

Contact Christina Fuoco-Karasinski at 480-898-5631or christina@timespublications.com