Dozens of preschoolers visited Kinnaird Elementary on Tuesday to see what kindergarten would be like as a part of the “Ready, Set, Learn” program.
The purpose of the visit is to connect the kids within the school system and to other community agencies that provide important information and resources prior to starting school.
“They can go when they’re three and four,” Bev George, co-ordinator for Blueberry Creek Community School said.
Each event features information on public health, dental care, literacy activities, art, playtime and healthy snacks. Speech therapists and physiotherapists are also on hand if the child will need it.
“For example, some of our preschoolers are in speech therapy and they’ll meet their new speech therapist,” George said.
The event is district-wide, she added.
“Every school district receives funding to run Ready, Set, Learn in their primary elementary schools,” she said.
Children going into kindergarten should have received a special invite in the mail, and invitations are circulated among the local preschools as well.
“We try to include as many children as we can,” George said.
So far, 83 children are registered for kindergarten in Castlegar next year, including 15 in Russian immersion.
The next events in Castlegar are at Robson Community School on May 17 and Castlegar Primary on May 20. Each day goes from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. There is no registration in advance.
If you’re not sure what school your child will be attending when he or she starts kindergarten, please call the principal at one of the elementary schools in advance.