MoCo Kindergarten Orientation (esp. KP)

[Anonymous]

Could someone shed some light on what happens at Kindergarten orientation? Does it run the whole day for two days? What do the kids do? Is there an evaluation component? Any tips? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

If it doesn't run the whole day, do you sign up for particular times? If so, how and when do you sign up?

[Anonymous]

We were out of town for it, so take this with a grain of salt, but IIRC they gave you a day but everyone had the same time. There is some time when the kids go off and "play" together-- I think it's as much for the school, to help them figure out how to assign kids to classes, as it is for you.

[Anonymous]

We were assigned a day and time to show up. They provide you with a ton of paper work that has to be filled out. While parents are doing that kids are taken into another classroom with a teacher to assess them - simple stuff to see if they are reading and if so at what level, do they know their alphabet, sorting objects etc. Then they plant a seed that will bloom when school is going to start. I had hoped it was more about what the school is like, meeting other parents and kids etc. I had already filled out my paper work before I arrived and it was a staggered event so there weren't many other kids or parents to meet. There certainly was no information about kindergarten at that point. It would have been better to call it registration day. Our school did have school tours which were more informative and they have a back to school night BEFORE school starts where you meet the teachers, see the class list - all questions were answered at that time. A little late for me I would have preferred the questions answered in the spring so I could prepare better but the orientation was a huge bust in my mind.

[Anonymous]

How far in advance are you assigned a date and time? And how do they know how to reach you? Is there some sort of pre-reg?

[Anonymous]

I think the schools do want you to call and let them know you are planning to attend K.

[Anonymous]

OP here -- thanks so much! We just called and we're on the list now to receive the registration materials.

[Anonymous]

My kids are at KP, and one was at the kindergarten orientation last year in April. My older child had one in May. I think Kensington Parkwood's orientation is May 12-13 this year, at least according to what I had on my calendar.

You can check directly with the school to find out when they're doing sign-ups. Last year, all the county kindergarten orientations were April and May. The county usually posts notices in the Gazette and parents often post notices on local listservs.

At KP, the kindergarten kids have two days off school, but they divide those days into many slots so smaller groups of incoming children come for shorter times (maybe 60 minutes?). They greeted the children, asked their names, took their photos (for use at the start of the school year), then quickly took them to a classroom to meet the teachers while parents went to another classroom.

We parents turned in our paperwork (helpful to look at it in advance and see that you need medical forms signed by physician, etc.). It's probably best to have everything ready at that time so the child can be officially enrolled, though I know they often have stragglers getting in paperwork later. There were snacks and coffee set up (by the PTA?), a PTA member selling spirit gear, a sign-up for summer meet-ups at the school playground. Parents sipped coffee and chatted.

One thing to keep in mind is that when the teachers are meeting with the children, they're trying to figure out how to divide up the classes equitably and evenly, rather than doing formal assessments that will affect your child's future academic careers. Once kindergarten begins, they spend lots of time in the first few weeks doing more formal assessments (as well as over the course of the year).

[Anonymous]

(Hey OP, I see you posted before I did. Am I right about the dates? I should make sure I know when my kindergartner will be home for two days!)

[Anonymous]

I have the same dates! Thanks so much!!!