News

Kindergarten rallies kick off this month

By Lightning Reports, Published: March 4, 2023

Kindergarten readiness rallies at Henderson County Public Schools elementaries kick off this month for families who have registered their kindergartners for the 2023-2024 school year.

Each of the HCPS’ 13 elementary schools will host its very own rally where incoming kindergarteners and their families can get to know their new school community, learn about kindergarten readiness skills they can practice at home this summer, meet teachers and administrators, and ask questions about the important first year of school.
It’s also where each registered kindergartner will be able to pick up a special READY! Kit prepared by school system, the Smart Start Partnership for Children, and community sponsors. Advent Health provided more than 900 reusable bags for the kits this year. Packed with items like books, crayons, clay, safety scissors, Unifix cubes and activity sheets for using the materials, the READY! Kits are designed to help prepare children for their first day of school. These activities incorporate practicing fine motor skills such as using safety scissors to cut paper, stringing items, and connecting cubes; logical thinking; color recognition; counting and number sense; alphabet recognition and introduction to Letterland characters used in the district-wide phonics program; and more.
“Kindergarten readiness” is an important annual initiative that HCPS, Smart Start Partnership for Children and other community partners collaborate on each spring to help children and their families prepare for their very first year of school.
“This is an exciting time for our incoming kindergarteners and their families," said Dr. Marsha Justice, director of elementary education. "Kindergarten rallies provide a wonderful opportunity for families to see their school and visit with community partners. Families will also receive materials that enhance learning and support independence during the kindergarten transition.”
Dates for each school-specific readiness rally are listed on HCPS’ “Get Ready for Kindergarten” webpage. Families are encouraged to check out HCPSNC.org/elementary-education/GetReady4K for kindergarten readiness resources that support early childhood development and literacy, like the N.C. Department of Public Instruction’s “Let’s Get Ready” Guide and digital home library. Also linked on the resource page is the “Kindergarteners Can!” video, which families can watch with their children to help familiarize them with an elementary setting and school-day activities.

Still time to register

The online enrollment form at Kreg.HCPSNC.org is live and accepting registrations for the 2023-2024 school year. HCPS is enrolling children who will be 5 years old on or before August 31, 2023, and students should be registered in their home school district, even if a parent or guardian plans to make a request for transfer or reassignment to another elementary school. Families can call the HCPS Transportation Department at 828-697-4739 for assistance determining their home school district. By registering now, parents and guardians of new kindergarteners can receive school-specific orientation activities and messages this spring, including invitations to their kindergarten readiness rally. Families who need help completing or have questions about the online registration form should contact their child’s school for assistance.