Neighborhood Kindergarten Orientation For HOM Parents

By Tanjua Damon

New kindergarten parents at Head O’ Meadow School are receiving a different kind of orientation this year, a neighborhood visit by the two full-time kindergarten teachers who will be teaching the tikes next year.

With the help of Head O’ Meadow Principal Bill Bircher and the school PTA, the teachers were able to set up area meetings in neighbors with new parents of kindergartners who will be starting school in the fall. The idea is to let parents know what a kindergarten will be like for their children.

Gail Diminico and Carol Howard spent time on June 14 at a Taunton Lake home where about ten parents gathered to learn about what the upcoming school year would hold for their five-year-olds entering school for the first time.

The two teachers explained that there would be a trial bus run for the kindergartners on August 27 and that some of the students would attend school on the 28th and others would come on the 29 to learn their way around. Then on August 30 it would be a regular day of school for the students.

The aim of this style of orientation is that more parents can be reached and that some students might be able to meet some of their classmates before entering school in late August.

“We suggested dividing orientation into neighborhoods so new parents could meet other new parents and possibly set up play dates over the summer,” Ms Diminico said. “This is a more personal touch.”

Kindergartners attend school for two and half hours each day. During that time frame the students participate in curriculum work, have snack, go to a special and have some free time so there is a lot to cover and the teachers want parents to know what a day is like before the children come to school.

“There’s a lot we need to do in that two-and-a-half-hour day,” Ms Diminico said. “It’s fast paced.” Parents found the informal orientation personal and informative.

“I think it’s a nice format,” Dina Lago said. “Because it was new, it was a little confusing. It needs time to iron out.”

Lisa Bailey found the orientation session intimate and worthwhile.

“I thought it was great. It was nice,” she said. “It was intimate, informal and very informative.”

Most Head O’ Meadow new kindergarten parents were able to participate in the new orientation.