By Tim Mandell
Register News Writer
RICHMOND —
Madison County Schools is hoping to help make the transition to kindergarten easier.
JUMPSTART 2010 is a pair of informational sessions for parents and their children who are entering kindergarten in the fall.
Sessions will be conducted from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday at Madison Central High School and from 5 to 7 p.m. on July 29 at Madison Southern High School.
The session at Madison Central is for students entering Daniel Boone, Glen Marshall, Kit Carson, Mayfield, Waco and White Hall elementary schools.
Madison Southern’s session is for students entering Kingston, Kirksville, Shannon Johnson and Silver Creek elementary schools.
“The goal is to give parents some information two weeks prior to their kids starting school that will help them start talking to their kids about the changes that will come up with starting school for the first time,” said Lisa Gay, director of the South Madison Family Resource Center.
“We want to give them information to help make the transition smooth,” she said. “Our little ones need as much preparation as possible to feel comfortable starting school.”
During the sessions, parents and students will have the opportunity to meet the teachers and parents and can receive volunteer conditional training from Superintendent Tommy Floyd.
There also is expected to be demonstrations on bus safety and food nutrition and service, as well information on transportation and basic school information.
Students will receive shirts and their school supply list and there will be activities to keep them entertained.
Parents can double check to make sure their child is registered for kindergarten, and if not, to register.
“A lot of times kindergarten orientation takes place a few days before school starts,” Gay said. “This is really geared towards starting to talk to your children two weeks prior to them starting school.”
Preparation includes learning to get up early, to eat breakfast and when and where to go to wait for the school bus, Gay said.
Madison County Schools has put its bus route schedule on its website, www.madison. kyschools.us/dist/.
Click on the image of the school bus on the lefthand side of the homepage and enter your address and the school the student attends.
For more information on JUMPSTART, contact the Family Resource Center at the school your child will be attending.
Tim Mandell can be reached at tmandell@richmondregister.com or 623-1669 ext. 6696.
