HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (March 06, 2024) – Kindergarten readiness rallies at Henderson County Public Schools (HCPS) elementary schools kick off this month for families with rising kindergartners.
Each of the HCPS’ 13 elementary schools will host its 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 HCPS, the Smart Start Partnership for Children, and community sponsors. Packed with items like books, crayons, clay, safety scissors, Unifix cubes and bilingual 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.
Dates for each school-specific readiness rally are listed on HCPS’ “Get Ready for Kindergarten” webpage. Families are encouraged to check out website 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 Need to Register for Kindergarten?
The online enrollment form at Kreg.HCPSNC.org is live and accepting registrations for the 2024-2025 school year. HCPS is enrolling children who will be 5 years old on or before August 31, 2024, 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.
