What happens at MoCo kindergarten orientation?

[Anonymous]

DD's K orientation is in a couple weeks. I was wondering what goes on and how long it lasts. TIA for any feedback.

[Anonymous]

At our school, we signed up for a 40-minute (45-minute?) slot. We signed in at the main office, got visitors' stickers, and then were directed to the orientation rooms. The vice-principal and other staff greeted us and had me fill out a form about the language we speak at home. My son got a nametag and was then asked to pose for a photo. (Photos are to be used by the teachers, both to decorate the classroom in the fall but probably also for teachers to learn names.) Then, my son was ushered into a room with 5-10 other kids and the kindergarten teachers, while I went into a room for parents.

In the parents' room, we turned in our registration forms. (The can start the process without all the forms, but it's easiest to turn in as much as possible to get the child officially enrolled. We still have medical forms to take care of over the summer, which I think is common.) Parents then visited, bought spirit gear from the PTA, drank coffee provided for us, and picked up a few more forms about the PTA.

Meanwhile, the kids did some activities with the teachers. I think my son was asked to draw a self-portrait, chat with a teacher, do some of a puzzle, do some coloring. Then he was brought in to me and got to have a snack before we headed home.

Hope this helps. I'm sure orientations vary a bit, but in our case it was pleasant and low-key.

[Anonymous]

THe PP nailed our orientation too - although we also got a tour of the school from one of the bigger kids while the teachers talked to incoming kindergarteners. We were told that discussion between teacher and kindergarteners is the opportunity for the teachers to figure out class mix and who goes well with what teacher, etc. We were told that it was not an assessment.

[Anonymous]

Was your child asked to read a sentence?

[Anonymous]

I do not think they ask kids to read sentences. But I could be wrong - none of my children could read prior to kindergarten. I think they want to see if the kids recognize their name and can write their names (fine motor skills).
There were definitely children that could read entering kindergarten, but most could not.

[Anonymous]

Ours was more like a half hour. No photo taken, but much the same as the others. They did activities with the teacher including planting a seed. Teachers told them that when the plants were flowering it would be time for them to come to school. Drew self portrait. Wrote name on paper.

No reading, no academic evaluation whatsoever. I was told that it's really so the school can get a quick sense to set up their classes and not have one overloaded with X (pick your trait -- ESOL kids, gender, race, special needs) and the classes can be somewhat even.

[Anonymous]

Isn't it also to "orient" the kids and the parents to a new school??? I would like to think this event is geared towards easing the kids' transition to K, too!

[Anonymous]

Our whole thing happened in the gym. While I turned in forms to the nurse and secretary, my son went to the other side of the gym and worked with a K teacher. Then, he did an activity w/ the speech teacher while I filled out a speech form. I also met w/ the guidance counselor, the after-school program director and finally the PTA president. The reading specialist took my son into her office since he is a reader and she wanted to get a rough idea where to place him (she said they place the handful of incoming K readers in the same class). That's it. They have a back to school picnic the week before school starts and then kids can take a look at their classroom then.

[Anonymous]

Read sentences? No! There was nothing diagnostic like that both times my (two) children went to K orientation at RHPS. Bring your day-planner and be prepared to sign up on sign-up sheets for room parent, volunteer for class parties, etc.

[Anonymous]

Ours was much of the same as described above (parents were split up with their kids...parents went to submit forms and kids did activities). At the end, there was a bus ride for parents/kids around the neighborhood. Really good because my son up until then, was nervous about riding the bus. After that, he was excited about riding the bus.

[Anonymous]

I felt that the orientation was more of an "enrollment", turned in forms, son did a few activities with a teacher - sorting, writing his name and planted a seed. Then we were done - 15 minutes tops. I had hoped to meet other parents and for my son to meet other students but it was staggered enough that this didn't happen. There was no tour and not much in terms of making my son feel more comfortable in the school setting. I have heard that there is another event in August that allows the kids to meet their actual teacher and for the parents to mingle. I have to stay I was disappointed that it wasn't really an orientation.

[Anonymous]

It is an enrollment. I am not sure why they call it an orientation b/c it isn't. You bring your child in to be screened and you bring in forms and get some additional info. There is usually a meeting and Back to School orientation before school starts in Aug.