MARION COUNTY – Hundreds of four- and five-year old students are experiencing school for the first time this week in Marion County Public School’s Kindergarten Kickstart.
This annual week-long experience at nearly every elementary school offers incoming kindergarten students – all five years old by Sept. 1 as required by state law – a head start to full-time school.
Benefits include bonding time between teachers and students and social time for learning and playing together, all while adjusting to a new school environment. The goal is to make kindergarten less intimidating before school officially starts Aug. 10.
MCPS also uses a “Stagger Start” approach to introduce younger students to full days of school. During the first three days on Aug. 10, 11 and 14, kindergarten classrooms will be divided into thirds so only one-third of each class attends school each day. This approach gives students more time to adapt to academic and social settings and provides more direct attention from teachers.
Parents and families with kindergarten-age students are encouraged to register their students now instead of waiting for the first day of school. To do so, visit https://www.marionschools.net/Page/95028. For more information, contact the Early Learning Department at 352.671.6842.