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Ready, Set, Go!
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| Frank M. Witowski Jr./Daily Press Woodrow Wilson Elementary teacher Tammy Cole helps student Hunter Bishop during the “Ready Set Go!” program Tuesday morning. |
Kindergartners receive head start through program
By FRANK M. WITOWSKI JR.
fwitowski@paragoulddailypress.com
The first day of kindergarten is often a frightening experience for students and their parents because in most cases it is their first time away from home.
The Paragould School District has made the transition into kindergarten easier by implementing a “Ready Set Go!” program at all three elementary schools in the district. The program initially called “kindergarten boot camp” started five years ago.
“This is a wonderful program,” Woodrow Wilson elementary school teacher Sharon Houston said. “It eases the anxiety of being away from mom. I feel like it makes all the difference in the world.”
Houston continued: “It gives them an opportunity to come to the classroom and learn the routine and helps them see what kindergarten is going to be like.”
Houston said the students who attended the program will help other classmates this fall who were not able to come to the two-week program.
All incoming kindergarten students in the Paragould School District had the opportunity to attend the “Ready Set Go!” classes which began July 21 and will conclude Aug. 1. Students enrolled in the program are provided breakfast and lunch.
Five-year-old Garrett Bailey is one of 194 students enrolled in the program which is held from 8 a.m. to 12 noon daily.
“I like to learn and eat and play at school,” young Garrett said.
All 13 of the kindergarten teachers in the district are teaching students who they will have during the 2008-09 school year.
Woodrow Wilson Elementary’s new principal Michael Allen said the program is just as beneficial to the parents as it is to the students.
“It helps the parents transition,” Allen said. “They want to know their children will be okay. These 1/2 days are a good time to give their kids some independence.”
Allen said having the program has helped him as the school’s new principal to meet some of the students and see the classroom procedures.
Allen, who has taught at other schools before coming to the Paragould School District, said the “Ready Set Go!” program is unique.
“I’ve not been at a school where this is taking place,” he said. “It’s a great program.”
School of the 21st Century Director Vicky Shelby was instrumental in implementing and coordinating the program during its inaugural year and obtained grant money to start the program.
“After that, the district has used monies they budgeted for the program,” Shelby said.
Shelby continues to oversee the program which has progressed from 45 students at Woodrow Wilson and three teachers to 13 teachers at all three sites. She said during the first year of the program, only students that had no prior preschool experience were able to enroll in the program. The second year opened it up to anyone who was going to preschool because of the response from other parents who wanted their child enrolled.
Shelby said the first day of the program this year was hectic but after the first day, it was smooth sailing.
“I’ve been in all the buildings and there’s been very few tears,” Shelby said. “Children are engaged in classroom [activities] with their teachers. The kids are excited about riding the bus.”
Shelby said having the program should make the first full day of kindergarten much easier for the teacher as well as the student.
Shelby also mentioned that special education instructor Kristin Ernst has been available for students with special needs.
The Paragould School District has made the transition into kindergarten easier by implementing a “Ready Set Go!” program at all three elementary schools in the district. The program initially called “kindergarten boot camp” started five years ago.
“This is a wonderful program,” Woodrow Wilson elementary school teacher Sharon Houston said. “It eases the anxiety of being away from mom. I feel like it makes all the difference in the world.”
Houston continued: “It gives them an opportunity to come to the classroom and learn the routine and helps them see what kindergarten is going to be like.”
Houston said the students who attended the program will help other classmates this fall who were not able to come to the two-week program.
All incoming kindergarten students in the Paragould School District had the opportunity to attend the “Ready Set Go!” classes which began July 21 and will conclude Aug. 1. Students enrolled in the program are provided breakfast and lunch.
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“I like to learn and eat and play at school,” young Garrett said.
All 13 of the kindergarten teachers in the district are teaching students who they will have during the 2008-09 school year.
Woodrow Wilson Elementary’s new principal Michael Allen said the program is just as beneficial to the parents as it is to the students.
“It helps the parents transition,” Allen said. “They want to know their children will be okay. These 1/2 days are a good time to give their kids some independence.”
Allen said having the program has helped him as the school’s new principal to meet some of the students and see the classroom procedures.
Allen, who has taught at other schools before coming to the Paragould School District, said the “Ready Set Go!” program is unique.
“I’ve not been at a school where this is taking place,” he said. “It’s a great program.”
School of the 21st Century Director Vicky Shelby was instrumental in implementing and coordinating the program during its inaugural year and obtained grant money to start the program.
“After that, the district has used monies they budgeted for the program,” Shelby said.
Shelby continues to oversee the program which has progressed from 45 students at Woodrow Wilson and three teachers to 13 teachers at all three sites. She said during the first year of the program, only students that had no prior preschool experience were able to enroll in the program. The second year opened it up to anyone who was going to preschool because of the response from other parents who wanted their child enrolled.
Shelby said the first day of the program this year was hectic but after the first day, it was smooth sailing.
“I’ve been in all the buildings and there’s been very few tears,” Shelby said. “Children are engaged in classroom [activities] with their teachers. The kids are excited about riding the bus.”
Shelby said having the program should make the first full day of kindergarten much easier for the teacher as well as the student.
Shelby also mentioned that special education instructor Kristin Ernst has been available for students with special needs.
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