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Easing the Transition into Kindergarten
Easing the Transition into Kindergarten

Aug. 4, 2016 -- The transition of young children into kindergarten carries an enormous emotional weight. Parents view this milestone with equal parts pride and fear, excitement and sadness as their little baby heads off into the real world of Big Kid School.

Cleveland Heights-University Heights elementary schools do their best to make this transition as smooth and painless as possible, for both parent and child.

This year features a three-day staggered start for kindergarteners, with students whose last names begin with A through H attending school on Monday, August 22; students with last names I through Q attending on Tuesday, August 23; students with last name R through Z on Wednesday, August 24 and all kindergarten children in attendance on Thursday, August 25.

These very small classes allow teachers and aides to meet each child individually, build trust, and introduce basic school expectations and routines, like walking in a line, eating in the lunchroom or requesting permission to use the restroom, in a calmer, more personal setting.

Family Connections, a local non-profit that partners with CH-UH to provide school readiness and family support services, is another key player in smoothing the transition for parents and children.

Family Connections will host Kindergarten Kickoffs at every elementary school over a two week period in August, designed to help “parents and new kindergarteners become comfortable with their new school, receive information about kindergarten expectations, and begin to build relationships with school staff and other families,” according to Charniece Holmes, program coordinator for Family Connections.

Entire families are welcome, as parents will meet with Family School Liaisons who will go over the academic expectations of kindergarten, while students and their siblings will either be engaged in meaningful play or meeting with at least one of their building’s kindergarten teachers in a classroom. A pizza dinner will be served to all attendees.

Parents are asked to call Family Connections at (216) 321-0079 to register for this free and informative event. There will be one Kickoff held at each building, on the dates listed below, from 6 to 8 p.m. Families are encouraged to attend the Kickoff at their assigned school but are welcome to go to another building if their schedule demands it.

Wednesday, August 10, 6-8pm: Fairfax Elementary School, 3150 Fairfax Road

Wednesday, August 17, 6-8pm: Noble Elementary School, 1293 Ardoon Street (rescheduled from August 10 due to power outages)

Thursday, August 11, 6-8pm: Boulevard Elementary School, 1749 Lee Road

Thursday, August 11, 6-8pm: Gearity Professional Development School, 2323 Wrenford Road

Tuesday, August 16, 6-8pm: Roxboro Elementary School, 2405 Roxboro Road

Wednesday, August 17, 6-8pm: Canterbury Elementary School, 2530 Canterbury Road

Thursday, August 18: Oxford Elementary School, 939 Quilliams Road

Attachments Available To Download:
Kindergarten Kickoff