It's Time to Register for Kindergarten!

For many families, the first day of kindergarten is an important rite of passage. Whether it's your first child off to elementary school, or your youngest leaving an empty house, the butterflies are not for students alone.

The spring marks the time when parents begin registering their students for kindergarten for the upcoming school year and attend kindergarten orientation. Registration packets can be found at the schools' main office.

One of the most important steps a parent can take is attending kindergarten orientation, according to Daniels Run Elementary School principal Adam Erbrecht.

“The Kindergarten Orientation is a great first step in helping students feel comfortable in their new environment," says Erbrecht.  "Parents learn what to expect from a day in the life of a kindergartner. Everyone gets to begin building important relationships of trust that start our year off with success. We are always excited to meet our newest students!”

Throughout the spring and summer, there are many things parents can do to help ensure a smooth transition not only the first day of school, but throughout the first year. We asked veteran kindergarten teacher Leanne Strubhar for some tips:

- Read, read, read! Every night! Reading to your child every night is one of the biggest predictors of a child's future success and attitude toward reading. Not only does it create a special bond between parent and child, it also helps build vocabulary, communication skills, creativity and listening skills.

- Be outwardly excited about starting kindergarten. Point out the new school when you drive by, play on the playground on weekends, attend rising kindergarten play dates.

- Begin now with establishing a routine to ensure a good night's sleep and a healthy breakfast to help prepare for the transition to full day of school.

Ms. Strubhar also recommends the following books to read this summer to help prepare for the first day:

- Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney
- Maisy First Experiences Books by Lucy Cousins
- Maisy School by Lucy Cousins
- Off to School, Baby Duck by Amy Hest
- Owen by Kevin Henkes
- Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate
- The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

"Kindergarten is so much fun," says Strubhar. "I know both Providence (Elementary School) and Daniels Run (Elementary School) both do so many wonderful activities our students just love."

Strubhar named a number of popular kindergarten activities including field trips, messy science experiments, building gingerbread houses and chasing the Gingerbread Man around school, and taking nature walks and watering the plants and flowers in the living classroom as "just a few - I could probably name 100," laughs Strubhar.

For more information, there are many websites focusing on "kindergarten readiness" both academically and socially.

According to Peter Noonan, City of Fairfax Schools Superintendent, parents should enjoy this time.

"What kindergartner teachers really want are healthy, happy students who are excited to come to school," says Dr. Noonan. "Help your child get excited about all the wonderful adventures ahead. We join our principals at Providence and Daniels Run in welcoming our kindergartners into the wonderful City of Fairfax Schools community."

Kindergarten Orientation Dates:

Daniels Run Elementary School:
Monday, April 22 2:00-3:00

Providence Elementary School
Monday, April 29 1:15-3:00

Do you have a child getting ready to start kindergarten? Or, do you have fond memories of when your child attended kindergarten in Fairfax City? Tell us in the comments below.