Kindercamp held for Connellsville students
DUNBAR TWP. — It is still a few weeks until the official start of school for Connellsville Area School District students, but on Thursday nearly 100 youngsters gathered at Dunbar Township Elementary School to get a preview of what they can expect when the school bell rings.
Referred to as “kindercamp,” the program allows the first-time students to meet their teachers and classmates and experience having breakfast and lunch in the cafeteria along with other activities, said Kristen Porter, school principal.
“It is a mock kindergarten day for the students and for their parents,” she said.
A similar camp was held at each of the elementary buildings.
After sharing a breakfast of cereal, pizza, milk and fruit with their parents, kindergarten teachers Tammy Nickelson, Linda Lindsay, Susan McLuckey and Anita Fosbrink gathered their respective students to visit their classrooms while Porter explained district and building policies and answered a variety of questions from the parents.
The kindergarten students also had the opportunity to visit the library and take part in outdoor activities with school physical education teacher Jason Bandemer.
“Kindercamp is not only good for the students, but also for the parents,” said Porter. “It doesn’t matter whether they have older children that are in school, these are their babies and they want to be sure we’re going to take care of them.”
During a parent session, Porter explained procedures for dropping off and picking up students, absenteeism, breakfast and lunch payments, the school dress code and upcoming activities.
Because of the size of the building and the large number of students and staff, Porter explained that the rules and regulations must be followed.
“We need to work together as a team,” she said. “Especially at this age, parents and teachers have to have a good relationship so everyone knows what is going on.”
With the full-day kindergarten program, the students will be introduced to reading and math, along with the use of computers.
“They will be reading by the end of October,” said Porter. “They will be doing writing journals, too.”
The curriculum is interspersed with fun activities and rest time, she added.
Porter said that the event aids parents with first day of school apprehension and gives the first-time students a glimpse of what will take place when they start school.
“Hopefully attending kindercamp will help everyone get ready for school,” she said.