We had an individual appointment fro the paperwork and a orientation for all. The orientation was great, Parents met the teachers and specialists in the library and the kids went to the K-class, did a project, got a tour of the school and a ride on the bus...the highlight of the day

Ours also included a little bus ride for the kids, as well as a mini-tour of the K area / library / lunch room. Frankly, though, the orientation was what turned the tide for us to accept the spot at our parish school. We also saw an outdated video, heard all about the mixed-grade classes (which I'm not too keen on), listened to parent after parent ask about additional enrichment for their accelerated child, and heard the principal go on about how they handle discipline problems.

Anonymous wrote:ours had the principal talking to the parents and the kids going into the K classroom with the K teachers to look around, read a story and color. (It was on a monday afternoon). It was exciting for DC.

Exactly as ours plus a tour of the school. All of the K teachers also spoke to the parents. We put our name on a email list and they are going to organize 2 kindergarten summer play dates at the school. Also right before school starts, they will have a "Meet your Teacher"

ours had the principal talking to the parents and the kids going into the K classroom with the K teachers to look around, read a story and color. (It was on a monday afternoon). It was exciting for DC.

Ours included an outdated video that was close to 20 minutes long. There was a lot of focus on how to pack the lunch box and we really didn't get sense of what they would be learning. This is FCPS.

Ours had kids in classrooms and parents in one big room. My rising K-er enjoyed it and wanted to go back thank GOD because he doesn't have a choice-we're not doing private. We had a bunch of talks about K curriculum, nurses office, school lunches, the bus, etc. The biggest message was enjoy this time because it flies by.

You may want to bring ear plugs though. The volume of the mikes was way too high and my ears were hurting for an hour after. I didn't want to be the parent who said it's too loud so my bad.

Anonymous wrote:I believe kids are almost always included in FCPS K orientation.

check because ours didn't and neither did my friends at two other fcps elementary schools.

I would definitely call and see if it is a kid-friendly registration. At our school, registration is a bunch of standing in line and handing over your papers; the principal then gives a little talk about kindergarten. There is a later kindergarten play date when they have the kids come to school and spend some time in the classrooms and ride a bus. It is different at every school, so call to see what it will be like. I took my first with me to the registration and she was bored to tears; I left my second at home.

We are going too. Get your forms ready and your kid excited. I think I am more excited then my daughter.

Ellen
rockvillemom.com

I believe kids are almost always included in FCPS K orientation.

Our school did not have kids attend. So check if the kids are supposed to attend or not. Definetly complete everything you can in the registration package. Bring your calendar because they will ask you to sign up for kindergarten visitation or other things.

Also try not to roll your eyes to much as one person after another tells you that the best thing you can do for your rising kindergartener is read them books and love them (gosh, I hadn't thought of that...love them AND read books..what a novel idea).

we have kindergarten orientation coming up next week, what can we expect (my daughter and I, and possibly grandfather). I had registered at the school and they did mail me a registration package, should I attempt to have as much of it completed and to take in for orientation?

thank you so much