Schools
Kickin' the Kindergarten Jitters
Sylvan Avenue Elementary School PTA holds Kindergarten Play Date to introduce first-time students to their new school.
A week before school starts the Sylvan Avenue PTA sponsored a Kindergarten Play Date. According to PTA member Jackie Jones, it was started in 2008 after other local school districts did similar programs. "The kids get to meet each other and hopefully it calms any first day of school anxiety," said Jones.
PTA members who organized the event handed out water, pretzels and back to school goodie bags to the new students when they arrived at the elementary school playground.
Newly elected PTA president Andrea Sanseviro answered questions from parents about becoming a member. She said, "I wish they had this when my child was starting kindergarten."
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Parents gathered on the kindergarten playground as the kids played and made new friends. Teachers were full of smiles as they met their new students. Alison Purdy, kindergarten teacher, really likes the play date. "It is good to meet your teacher and for the teacher to put a face with a name. It calms everyone's nerves."
Next, the new Sylvan Avenue students were able to get a look at their classroom. They sat at desks, played with the toys, looked through books and got to see where they will hang their coats when the school year starts.
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Tina Vererka's daughter is starting kindergarten and said, "This is a good idea. You definitely need something to get the kids familiar with the school."
Sylvan Avenue Peer Leaders entering fifth grade eagerly waited in the lobby to give school tours to the kindergartners and their parents. The tour included all the important places they need to know about, such as the nurse's office, cafeteria and library. The Peer Leaders also answered questions from parents and children.
